If you could have a superpower, what would you choose? According to a survey, one in five people would pick mind-reading or telepathy. But when it comes to reading minds, not everyone can handle it. Imagine someone who originally despised animals suddenly being able to understand them—what kind of mental state would that bring?
The comedy Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP or Mr. Zoo follows the story of the protagonist Joo Tae-joo—nicknamed “Mr. Joo”—a top agent in South Korea’s intelligence agency who despises animals. To secure a promotion, he leads a team assigned to protect a visiting panda ambassador. But shortly after the panda’s arrival, it's kidnapped by terrorists. After being injured in the incident, Mr. Joo gains the unexpected ability to communicate with animals. With the help of a retired military dog named Ali, he embarks on a mission to rescue the panda.
Although Mr. Zoo is a comedy, it also blends elements of crime thrillers and talking animal features, making it a multi-genre film. The plot is full of twists and surprises, with skillful setups and payoffs, and humor of various kinds throughout—making it quite entertaining.
Vivid Character Development & Transformative Growth
A sequence of wide, medium, and close-up shots at the start of the film shows Mr. Joo’s clean, meticulous persona. But stepping out the door and into the elevator, his Achilles' heel is quickly revealed. At the shooting range, his emotional outburst deepens this character flaw and naturally introduces his promotion rival. Soon after, we see him reluctantly taking on the panda protection mission, setting everything into motion.
Animals make Mr. Joo anxious, but after his injury, he can suddenly communicate with them. Through escalating scenes of dogs, hamsters, hedgehogs, and tropical fish talking to him, we witness his increasing distress, ultimately reaching a near-breakdown—a moment of intense drama.
Returning to the panda abduction site, Mr. Joo’s newfound power becomes a tool rather than a burden. At an abandoned animal shelter, he begins to overcome his aversion to animals. His daughter’s fondness for Ali and the growing partnership between Mr. Joo and Ali during their pursuit of the terrorists all help build trust and mutual reliance. After numerous ups and downs, Mr. Joo ends up answering, through action, the profound question his daughter asked at the beginning of the film—without even realizing it.
Ali also undergoes a transformative arc—from a timid and somewhat lazy retired military dog to a brave canine hero, willing to face danger alone to help Mr. Joo complete the mission. Their growing camaraderie, built through countless back-to-back team-ups, blossoms into a seamless partnership, making Mr. Joo’s emotional climax feel inevitable.
One especially memorable long take shows Mr. Joo sitting in despair by the roadside at night, with Ali beside him. As the camera slowly zooms out and rises, dim streetlights filter through the trees, evoking both loneliness and companionship. The cold palette warmed by light makes this a symbolically rich transitional scene.
Interwoven Plotlines & Meticulous Foreshadowing
Mr. Joo’s shifting attitude toward animals is the film’s main arc. In contrast, his relationship with his daughter provides a glimpse into his personal life, making his character more rounded. From the initial emotional distance and helplessness he feels toward her, to their tearful embrace at the end, each key moment intersects with the main story arc. His attempts to win her favor and his inherent kindness make the eventual resolution of the film’s seemingly hopeless situations believable and emotionally resonant.
The daughter’s role is far from just decorative; she plays a crucial part in the plot, subtly laying the groundwork for later developments. Her early conversations with Mr. Joo, whether setting up future events, establishing background, or delivering humor, are all purposeful—no dialogue is wasted.
This clever storytelling extends beyond the daughter. Mr. Joo’s subordinate Man-sik, initially portrayed as a comic-relief “mama’s boy” and a useless teammate, is actually part of a hidden subplot tied to the mission’s success or failure—revealed only later in the film.
Many key plot points deliver satisfying “aha” moments when they tie back to earlier scenes, giving the film a strong sense of cohesion and rewatch value. These setups and payoffs are everywhere—even the post-credits scene reveals a clever callback to Mr. Joo’s rival. The surprise conversation between North Korean mosquitoes hints at who the next main character might be, leaving audiences both amused and curious.
A Wide Range of Humor
Mr. Zoo features various types of humor—awkward, slapstick, contrast-based, punny, referential, and satirical. Sometimes it draws big laughs, sometimes a knowing smile.
To break the strict, uptight image established early on, Mr. Joo makes a silly face that not only adds to the comedy but also breaks the fourth wall, seemingly interacting with the audience and lightening the film’s tone.
Besides Ali, other animals also contribute memorable comedic moments. With human-like personalities, they reflect different archetypes: the panda exudes celebrity swagger; the tiger loves to sing; the parrot resents repeating "hello"; the goat is shrewd, money-loving, and bullies the weak.
One standout comedic scene occurs when the animals chase Mr. Joo at the abandoned shelter. A kung fu-style slow-motion sequence shows Mr. Joo’s serious face contrasted with “throwing weapons” (like poop) for hilarious effect. The animals’ exaggerated reactions mimic human behavior but carry a surreal humor only talking animals can provide.
That said, the comedic impact of the film may fall slightly short, partly due to high expectations for comedies, and partly because the need to read English subtitles during Korean dialogue can disrupt immersion. Cultural differences may also affect the humor.
For example, the Korean surname "Joo" sounds like the English word “Zoo,” explaining the English title Mr. Zoo. Korean viewers may instantly catch this pun, while it could be lost in translation for international audiences.
A final comedic highlight comes during the post-credits scene, where two mosquitoes hilariously comment on differences between North and South Korea—brief but sharply observed and unexpectedly funny.
Conclusion
Mr. Zoo: The Missing VIP began filming in October 2019, wrapped by November, and was released on January 22, 2020—under four months in total, including CGI for animal characters. Considering Hollywood films often take two to three years to complete, the efficiency and maturity of Korea’s film industry is impressive.
Many top Korean celebrities lent their voices to the animals, adding extra appeal for local audiences. Unfortunately, for subtitle viewers, the identity of voice actors makes little difference.
Mr. Joo is played by Lee Sung-min, a powerhouse actor in Korea known for his range, having won multiple Best Actor awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards. In contrast, his female superior’s character comes off somewhat flat. It’s similar to how some viewers criticized Song Joong-ki in Reborn Rich—next to the versatile Lee Sung-min, Song’s performance sometimes felt like that of a background character.
For viewers who love story-driven films, Mr. Zoo offers a twist-filled, emotionally satisfying ride. For comedy fans, its array of gags and animal antics guarantees a lighthearted and enjoyable experience.
Watch it here (via Ganjing World)
Director: Kim Tae-yoon
Rating (Taiwan/Hong Kong): Suitable for ages 12+
Runtime: 1h 54min
Premiere: January 22, 2020
Score: 6.5/10
(Translated by Chat GPT. Chinese Version: 《動物園先生》影評：當特工聽懂動物說話)
Comments