If You Were Moved by Netflix Global TOP 3’s ‘The Wild Robot,’ You Need to Watch South Korea’s Touching Animation ‘Leafie, A Hen into the Wild.’
The animated film ‘The Wild Robot’ has recently garnered immense popularity, landing among Netflix’s Global TOP 10. The story of protagonist robot ‘ROZZUM 7134 (Roz),’ who embarks on a journey of survival and adventure in an unfamiliar natural environment, gradually learning and developing ‘human-like’ emotions through interaction with surrounding animals, is profoundly moving.
‘The Wild Robot’ begins with Roz seeking a life beyond her programmed mission of obedience to her owner. However, as she learns and grows emotionally through interaction with the animals around her, I was reminded of the Korean animation ‘Leafie, A Hen into the Wild.’ In particular, Roz’s ability to foster harmony and cooperation among the surrounding animals was deeply touching.
Often called a hidden gem of Korean animation, ‘Leafie, A Hen into the Wild’ is an animation that elementary and middle school students in Korea almost certainly encounter in their Korean language textbooks. (Though it might have changed a bit recently.) It’s an incredibly popular and successful novel-turned-animation that holds profound meaning as it portrays a hen’s dream to escape her predetermined life in the coop, to leave the barnyard, hatch her own egg in the wild, and live with her chick.
The film’s immense popularity is largely due to its beautiful watercolor-style animation, its depiction of Korea’s natural landscapes, and its emotionally resonant storytelling.
Both ‘The Wild Robot’ and ‘Leafie, A Hen into the Wild’ share the common theme of a journey toward freedom and love that transcends fate. Specifically, they both feature a resistance against predetermined destinies, and a process of growth through communication and experience with those around them, as protagonists survive and adapt to unfamiliar environments.
Furthermore, these animations explore themes of sacrifice and maternal love, and delve into existential questions beyond mere survival, such as ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What do I live for?,’ prompting viewers to contemplate the deeper meaning of life. If you enjoyed ‘The Wild Robot,’ I highly recommend watching the Korean animation ‘Leafie, A Hen into the Wild’ as well.
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