This review may contain spoilers
Refreshing
To be very honest, i went into this drama with low expectations. My initial perception was that this was just another one of those dramas they try to weave in too much unnecessary fantasy and romance. But it really exceeded my expectations. I feel like it really touched me because I could relate to how some of them felt, and before I knew it there would be tears in my eyes. It’s really what koreans call a ‘healing drama’, it’s short and light, but heavy at the same time when it hits to close to home. The way the story played out was largely smooth but I feel like the last episode could’ve been broken into 2 episodes instead with a cliffhanger. I didn’t like how the problem was just solved so fast and they could do whatever they wanted again,, like isn’t that against the rules of atonement and karma as they emphasised so much on in the front? But it was mostly great, and I really enjoyed it :-) Finished it in 2 days lol.As for the casting, I personally adored choi wonyoung. He fits his role so well, and i could literally feel the warmth oozing out from him through my phonescreen to me LOL. He was the embodiment of sweet for me lol everytime he appeared w his unkempt hair and made one of those casual but extremely thoughtful statements I would freak out HAHA in a goodway. And hwang jung eum, i honestly thinks she is a pretty good fit for this role, her voice is soo good for the nagging scenes lol and she’s like young but old at the same time(?) she has that vibe. Yooksungjae- I’m sorry he’s just a meme to me. Whenever his gf would pinch him and say MY BOYFRIEND IS SO HANDSOME I’ll cringe lol. And I feel like this role is so UN-him it feels slightly weird. But he did a good job with the acting. However, the real problem I had was with the bodyguard. Overall, this actress didn’t deliver the vibes I think the story intended for the character to give off. She didn’t feel tough or unapproachable, or even cold when I could tell she was supposed to, and tbh the stunt scenes to me looked very weak (not very cool). I’m not saying it’s the actress’s fault, she did a good job w the acting, it’s just that she isn’t the best fit for sure. I wished they casted someone who could portray the coldness of her character, the warmth and shyness underneath that, as well as the tiredness of the alter ego from her previous life.
But overall, this drama is fantastic. Before I knew it, I was done. Smiling as Choi Wonyoung and Hwang Jungeum smiled back at me through my tiny phone screen lol
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Dropped It Once
The first time I tried watching this many months ago, dropped it relatively quickly after a couple of episodes. Mostly because at the time, I was looking for a series with actual substance. However, this is a perfect series if you enjoy the "mystical" genre and need something very casual to watch (i.e. don't care if you miss out on a conversation or two).The plot is simple/predictable, and that has its own entertainment factor, especially when the actors are still charismatic. Just go in without any expectations of a tightly-knit execution of a story. This is one where characters just drop in because it is convenient for the plot to progress. The fantasy/action visuals also have the low-budget feel but it does kind of tie into the series' overall comical theme.
Overall, it can still satisfy those days when you just want a couple of laughs, don't want to get in too heavy, and still catch a bit of feel-good moments.
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Great little drama
Mystic Pop-Up Bar is a great little drama which definitely strengthens around the half-way point of episodes. By the finale, especially, is a bunch of emotions that has a great story morale, and makes you want to see if there will be more in the future! The characters were amazing, although it took longer than expected for them to be "strong" in a sense, as in the first few episodes I found the characters to be lacking something of some sort? This can tie in to what I feel I didn't think was present in Mystic Pop-Up Bar, wow factor. For some reason, I feel Mystic Pop-Up Bar lacked wow factor, maybe due to the characters or story - if I felt a wow factor, easily an increased overall rating! Again, I wasn't a massive fan of the overused sound effects, however, the OST was absolutely sublime so this definitely made up for it, and even more!Mystic Pop-Up Bar is definitely a highly recommended drama for someone who is used to the fantasy/mystery sort of dramas, if you're not used to them, I'd suggest you perhaps watch one with an easier to follow or more tied-up story? Not to say this wasn't great though, as it definitely was great!
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?Snap Crackle POP IT! ?°8.2° °Excellent°
🍹This show is a long cold draught on a hot day: Refreshing.MPUB (2020, 12 1hr eps) is a story about the workings of the Afterlife, both up⬆ there, and down⬇ here. Many Afterlifers have jobs, while others have to do community service. Due to the creativity of writers Bae Hye-Soo (webcomic) & Ha Yoon-A, and director, Jeon Chang-Geun (What Happens to My Family?), it's fun to watch them do what they do.
Weol-joo (Hwang Jung Eum from Kill Me, Heal Me) runs a tent bar in Seoul as a front for her real job (eh, court-mandated community service, ahem), which is resolving grudges. She discovers that a local boy, Kang-bae (Yook Sung Jae from Goblin & The Golden Spoon), would be the perfect helper at the bar. That is because Kang-bae has a special talent for getting people to open up - No soju needed. Kang-bae has never been happy about this special talent of his, however. A gig is a gig, so he goes to work with Weol-joo and her bodyguard/Chef, Gwi (Choi Won Young from Under the Queen's Umbrella & Twinkling Watermelon).
Kang-bae is immediately plunged into hazardous assignments. Training is all on-the-job-as-you-go. It's hilarious when they step into a client's deep subconscious, without warning Kang-bae of how wildly and inappropriately dangerous their venture is. Only after he screams "BUG!" and almost drops them down the !!🕳🕳infinite abyss🕳🕳!! do they tell him the downsides of the J😱B. I did, actually, L🤣L! at that scene.
Another 🌃night, when Kang-bae comes to work, he walks through the tent door and enters a 🌞 field. In the background a jaunty band plays. It's the Afterlife Lottery Games! Next they have him partake in a criminal act that jeopardizes his 😱WN afterlife. Kang-bae can't even begin to get his balance🎢
The first few episodes mostly deal with stories of various clients. Some are amusing and some are tragic. Later, things take a more personal and dangerous turn. There are quotas to be met. There are bad guys to catch. There is Soju to drink. There are mysteries to be solved. Some have links to events 500 years past.
🍺There's a couple small logical chips on the glass, but the flaws are minor and few. This story is bright, full-bodied, and original. What imaginative delights the writer gave us. The acting and directing are a perfect pour. The cadence is also perfect.
So...pour the Soju and give it a shot!
IMHO...
🎬8 🤔6 🎭8 ⚡7 💓6 🦋3.
Age 13+
In order of ~lite&trite~ to ~heavy&serious~ you may also like:
Modern Day:
Mad For Each Other 7.8 ~silly fun;
A Witch's Love 7.8;
Love to Hate You 8.9;
Her Private Life 8;
Touch your heart 8.2;
Crash Landing On You 9.1;
Oh My Ghost 10;
It's Okay Not To Be Okay 9;
Love Struck in the City 7.3;
Hospital Playlist 9;
My Mister 9.5;
I'll See You When the Weather is Fine 9;
Something in the Rain 9
Historical/Period:
My Only Love Song 8.7 ~ excellent comedy;
Live Up To Your Name 7.6;
Mr. Queen 8.5;
My Sassy Girl / Yeopgijeogin Geunyeo 8.5;
Saimdang 8.5;
The King's Affection 8.3;
Mr. Sunshine 9
Action/Sci-fi/fantasy:
K2 8;
Private Lives 8.1;
Sisyphus 8;
Tunnel 8.1;
Signal 8.6;
Black 9;
Squid Game 8.4;
Kingdom 8.3;
Sweet Home 8.4
Consider a Chinese historical fantasy romcom: The Romance of Tiger and Rose (9.8), Love Between Fairy and Devil (8.9) or Japanese lite romcoms: Maid Sama (10), Mischievous Kiss Love in Tokyo (7.8), Love, Chunibyo And Other Delusions (8.4), or Toradora (8.5)
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Basically korean version of yorozuya
contains of 3 mebers with their own characteristics and role in the team.some people might complain about main cast character development. but honestly their character development is actually the best so far than any msystic problem solving korean dramas i ever watched.
its not about how you solve the current problems. but its about how those you helped will proceed in their life/afterlife after it.
the concept is like "only you that can save yourself, what we give is just a single little push and some extra hands if you ever need it". love it
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Captivating
I had no expectations in the beginning. I only started watching this drama because of the lead actress since I loved all of her dramas but man did the story capture me along with the whole other cast. It’s a beautiful drama that keeps you interested on what to happen next. I was eager to watch each and every episode. It made me smile, cry, laugh and definitely took me by surprise at times. The director and the editors did an amazing job too. It’s one of the very few dramas I’m genuinely willing to rewatch.Was this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
the story is very very simple. this was better as a binge, tbh I don't think I'd have given it a chance higher than the 1st four eps and I'd have dropped it if I watched it as it aired, but it was also not as engaging as I'd have hoped. it got better by eps4-6 but as soon as it got it's footing it was so obvious how their "big picture" was going to turn out that I lost interest in the plot.the side plots were related to the big picture, each case reflected Wol Joo's own situation and concerns but they were somewhat really flat, idk, it was hard to connect to the side stories? though the messages were great and really inspirational, but they just felt too fleeting?
I know, I might be complaining too much so one would wonder why the high rating, but something the review ratings doesn't cover is the characters, their relationships and their depths.
the 3 mains had a really sweet chemistry and I highly enjoyed their bickering and "grudge" fights and I wished they'd have tried to make them a little more active outside the pop up bar, I know that was their home base but I wanted more action (and I don't mean fighting)
and even though their family bond was sweet I kinda wish they weren't related and just found comfort in each other regardless of the destiny makjang move "he's your long lost son/love" ;D
the best part for me was Kang Yeo Rin who's going to join my favorite female characters list, she was refreshing, independent, smart and always made the 1st move ❤ and I loved their chemistry, Kang Bae truly deserves the "sweet male lead" tag though I wish they focused more on them ;)
which makes me wonder, are romances better in non romance dramas because they focus on them less, so the "chase" is longer and there's no space for misunderstandings and inevitable breakups?
HWJ was slightly as overreacting as ever, but since this was a comedy it kinda fit the vibes well and I wish she'd act in another drama with Choi Won Young minus the long lost lovers theme ;D I want a pure secret like makjang
the OSTs were nice enough and I never rewatch stuff
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cute but frustrating
I love most shows/movies SIG is in, and this is one of them but them disapearing and leaving eachother was very frustrating.The ending felt a little unfinished, I wish we could see more of their relationship bloom, and I would have wanted to see more of the side couple's relationship.
But honestly this drama was super sweet, I think a lot of people could relate to MC, it was an emotional watch, especially if you've suffered from an illness yourself, both SIG and MC portrayed their emotions extremely well, and this has become one of my comfort shows.
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A spirit who settles grudges
Ahhh this is the best drama trust me. If you have watched goblin, death game or tomorrow. You sure are going to love it. For me it was very good. It has fun elements it was so so emotional like u really have to cry in every episode, laugh like crazy in every episode too. It was a mix of bitter sweet. The stories were so good.The fact that they presented social issues in the series were so good. The relationship with parents were also so good.
Its so funny because yook song was just suffering in this drama and was neglected in goblin too. But his character was so kind humble and patient in the whole series.
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fantastic in every way！！
rollercoaster of bizarre mix of tragic and comic but charming〜 only K-drama seems able to capture this mix of comic and tragic, light and serious in each episode。as it goes on it goes far from original idea of going into dreams with all kinds of scenarios crossing between afterlife and life and the back stories of main characters and their soul relations that adds interest〜what a fantastic finale:I had to watch last two episodes together and really did not see all that coming and I am happy with the ending〜and unlike some K-drama this was very well-judged length not too drawn out to lose the tension and fascination with the drama 〜I thought I saw Yook Sung Jae's cute face before and of course it was in Goblin！look forward to more by these lead actors *(*´∀｀*)☆Was this review helpful to you?
Un très bon moment de fou rire
Si je devais donner autant d'étoiles, cela serait surtout grâce à Hwang Jung Eum et Choi Won Young ! Ils ont été magnifiques et tellement drôle.Hwang Jung Eum est une actrice que j'aime beaucoup et elle prouve encore ici tout son talent. Son débit de paroles est toujours aussi impressionnant, si ce n'est plus. En mode bad ass, elle en jette. Elle n'a pas été autant sexy et méchante que IU dans "Hotel Del Luna" mais, suffisamment pour nous scotcher pendant toute la durée du visionnage.
J'ai été encore plus impressionnée par Choi Won Young qui nous avait habitué à des rôles de vilain et de psychopathe pas très sympathique. Ici, on adhère totalement à son personnage. Drôle, émouvant avec cette petite touche de bad boy quand il sort son épée (trop stylée ! s'est exclamé mon fils). Un personnage qui nous aura donc beaucoup touché.
Je trouve peut-être dommage que les couples formés ne soient pas à la hauteur du drama. Les couples ne sont pas fades mais ils sont loin d'être "effets papillons dans le ventre".
Kang Bae est un personnage attachant et un peu maladroit mais j'avoue que je ne l'ai pas trouvé exceptionnel. Et c'est un peu dommage qu'on ait pu voir un tout petit peu de son pouvoir (à la fin). Pourquoi nous mettre des personnages qui ont un pouvoir qui déchire si ce n'est pour "l'activer" que pendant 30 secondes sur un seul épisode...(Hum, cela me fait penser à Novoland Eagles Flag...). Sa douce moitié Yeo Rin est un peu à son image. Attachante. Mais je ne me suis pas prise au jeu. Ce fut d'ailleurs le cas avec tous les autres personnages secondaires. Sympathiques mais pas inoubliables. Et je trouve que c'est le défaut de ce drama. Les deux personnages principaux, Wol Joo et Chef Gwi, sont vraiment fantastiques mais pas le reste de l'équipe. Cela n'empêche nullement de regarder le drama avec plaisir bien sur, de rire et de se poser des questions sur la trame principale. N'hésitez pas à vous lancer dans cette série, un scénario alléchant, des personnages attachants et un happy ending (suivez mon regard "Hotel Del Luna" !) vous permettra de passer un bon moment.
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