What’s not to like?

There is something supernatural about love.

Its an inexplicable sensation that draws one person to another and creates a sense of intimate belonging.

The younger the love, the more powerful and otherworldly it can seem.

Perhaps that is why there are so many paranormal-based love stories these days?

Still, it works best when you remove all the frills and focus on the unrequited suffering of youth.

That is the approach of Jo Sung-hees A WEREWOLF BOY.

The Korean film is a nostalgic reflection on long lost puppy love.

The proper grandmother seems sad, but relieved to revisit the farmhouse she briefly lived in as a girl.

The rest of A WEREWOLF BOY is a flashback to those adolescent days 47 years ago.

Young Suni (Park Bo-young) is an isolated and willful teenager.

The girl is unimpressed with her new home.

They name him Chul-soo and Sunis initial resentment for his crude demeanor gives way to fascination.

Using a manual she discovers for training dogs, she grooms and domesticates the boy.

The two develop an unlikely friendship that may grow into something more.

A WEREWOLF BOY is a light amalgamation of tropes.

A WEREWOLF BOYS wolfish Mowgli is oblivious to all the customs surrounding him.

He struggles with every new activity, including playing baseball and sleeping in a bed.

When dinner is served, his first instinct is to rush the table and devour all food in sight.

It is up to Suni to teach him to be a human and slowly improve him.

Yet, the romance works throughout the film.

For some obligatory reason, Ji-tae has decided that he will one day marry Suni and no one else.

Little does he know that his rival has more bite than he could have predicted.

However, while quite dramatic, he is not really a total creature of horror.

Despite a somewhat silly appearance, the monster makes for an intimidating presence and an unlikely hero when angered.

It also tries to switch gears between sweet romance, supernatural suspense and familial comedy far too often.

Yet, what works best about A WEREWOLF BOY is the simple and endearing romance of Suni and Chul-soo.

Even so, I see the appeal of the story and enjoyed watching it.

Den of Geek Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars