Have you ever missed someone so deeply that you wished they could stay close to you forever? This week, we’re diving into a poignant production where reality and the virtual world blend seamlessly, all for the sake of keeping loved ones just a video call away. Let’s explore the 2024 film ‘Wonderland’.
Plot Overview
Written and directed by Kim Tae-yong, ‘Wonderland’ tells the story of various individuals who, through the wonders of Artificial Intelligence, are able to communicate with those they’ve lost via video calls.
The Stories
One of the earliest users of the Wonderland service is the family of Bai Li (Tang Wei), who wish to preserve her memory so that her young daughter can remember her mother as she grows up.
Meanwhile, Jeong-in (Bae Suzy), a flight attendant, turns to Wonderland to stay connected with her boyfriend, Tae-joo (Park Bo-gum), who has fallen into a coma. Through Wonderland, Tae-joo is reimagined as an astronaut who is always there for Jeong-in, providing her comfort in his absence.
Expectations vs. Reality
As the stories unfold, complications arise. Bai Li’s family begins to notice that her daughter is forming an unhealthy attachment to Bai Li’s AI-generated persona. Even more unsettling, this virtual version of Bai Li starts deviating from its programming, developing a conscience of its own.
Jeong-in faces a different dilemma. When Tae-joo miraculously wakes up from his coma, she realizes that the real him no longer matches the idealized version she interacted with in Wonderland. The reality of his condition and their relationship clashes with the perfect persona created by AI.
A Deep Dive into Grief and Loss
‘Wonderland’ beautifully navigates the delicate emotions of grief and the desire to hold onto cherished memories. Each storyline poignantly explores the struggle of dealing with loss while clinging to the digital echoes of loved ones.
With a stellar cast including Jung Yu-mi, Choi Woo-shik, and a special cameo by Gong Yoo, ‘Wonderland’ is an emotional and thought-provoking must-watch. The film is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the trailer below.
