Yumi is frustrating and flawed and so relatable thanks to some truly adorable cells!
I really loved this drama. I didn't know what to expect when I started it but it was fun and smart and frustrating and so relatable. On the surface, it's a pretty mundane love story with the usual romance tropes and misunderstandings, but it's the cells and their antics that reveal all the inner turmoil that was so easy to identify with. Even when Yumi drove me super crazy seeing her cells made me understand her and reflect on times when I was just as sensitive and irrational. Plus the cells are so super cute!!! I was almost tempted to give this drama perfect scores because of my cell bias, but the main thing that stopped me from doing that was Yumi herself.Kim Go Eun plays Yumi. I actually found her performance overall to be a little dull, but that worked pretty perfectly with the premise. Her lowkey performance is a great juxtaposition to the chaos of the cells in her head. This is my third attempt at a drama with Go Eun as the female lead, and she's always bland to me. I didn't like her in Cheese in a Trap, and I still haven't been able to watch Goblin (Yes, THAT Goblin... the one that everyone loves so much). This time, with the help of the talented voice actors who play her "cells", I finally could enjoy her in a lead role. I was still annoyed by Yumi for most of the drama, but I was also empathetic. Yumi is an insecure romantic, in love with the idea of love, but still scarred from a traumatic breakup. She is matched in this drama with Ahn Bo Hyun as Ku Woong. Woong doesn't make the greatest impression on her at first but soon I was sucked into all the ups and downs of their unexpected relationship. Would they have been an exciting couple to watch without the cells, probably not, but with the cells input, commentary, and actions I was hyped to watch every single episode. Don't get me wrong. I loved Woong, and Bo Hyun's performance, I just think two laid back leads only work well in this kind of scenario. I was also more #teamWoong than I was rooting for Yumi, and I appreciated getting insight into his character too.
The supporting live action cast were all great, although many of them are pretty one note (like the hilariously annoying Ruby, and infuriating Sae Yi), but the real MVPs of the cast are the voice actors. I have my favorites... (Shout out to "Naughty"!!! I loved "Hunger" too!) but they are all the true stars of this drama, with some even taking on multiple cell roles. I don't know the webtoon at all, or how true to that the original cells this drama is, but getting to see and hear them made them seem all so real and made me imagine my own internal cell village. Yes, they are adorable but they show how messy, and contradictory, and imperfect people are, even with the best intentions. I know it's not exactly the most original concept, but the execution is unique, and it really is brilliantly done.
Would I watch this again? Definitely. Just to see the cells? Absolutely. Of course I am happier that there will be a season 2 with new episodes. Still, the concept is clever enough to keep me entertained watching the same episodes again, even if the overall plot is basic, and the lead wasn't always likeable. Being able to comiserate with her is much more important than liking her.
The soundtrack is great too. It's been a while since I wanted to download a song from a drama and "If I could read your mind" was as addictive as this drama. I loved how the soundtrack complimented the cuteness of the cell world without being too cheesy or childish. I love when constantly repeated songs make me excited and not annoyed while watching.
Overall, don't let the cartoon characters fool you. This isn't a Korean "Inside Out". This is a grown up drama about how crazy love can feel on the inside. It's cute, it's sad, it's infuriating, It's hilarious. I would definitely still consider this a light hearted drama, with nothing in the story that's too heavy, although some of the most entertaining parts may have you reflecting deeply. I never cried, but I laughed and cringed a lot. It's not a typical RomCom, so some people may be disappointed by the milder chemistry between the leads, but with the cells taking the lead I didn't miss any chemistry, and they definitely felt like a very realistic couple. I was more rooting for Yumi's growth than chemistry. I also prefer the awkward and realistic relationship plot vs the idealistic love story plot that's the romcom norm. I'm curious about the webtoon but I'm also too afraid to spoil season 2 to check it out just yet. I highly recommend Yumi's Cells as perfect to binge, especially since these are really bite sized episodes within episodes that keep the drama moving at a great pace. I'm really looking forward to seeing this same cast again (yes, even Go Eun, and especially Woong.) a rare k drama treat... while hopefully dodging spoilers from the webtoon and it's fans. I can just imagine my inner cells grabbing popcorn and planning a watch huge party in anticipation of season 2!
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This review may contain spoilers
Inside out drama version
Long time want to watch this drama, especially cause of the cute cells. Finally this year decided to watch for my Alphabet Drama / Movie Challenge. Good drama, but unfortunately leave unpleasant feeling in our heart when they close the curtain. Fortunately at the time that I watch this, they already has 2nd season to continue the story. But I think I'll gonna watch this next year for another Alphabet Drama / Movie Challenge. Haha...The drama is really cute with all the cells involve, like watching inside out but more complicated feeling & emotion. Story about a woman named Kim Yu Mi (YM) & all the emotion that lives in her, and later on also we can see Ku Woong (KW) emotion. The really story quite close to the reality of our life, so we easily attach to it.
A little reality check:
+ Really make me smile when KM love cells infiltrate YM heart by very simple thing. By using frog... Yeah sometimes that simple thing that silently infiltrate our heart.
+ I don't know like or not about this, but sometimes KW is a little too perfect as man. He is man with rarely having relationship but he can read all the little gesture that YM give. Like when he decided to block YM knowledge about how close he is with Seo Sae Yi actually is, he can sense danger that if he said about it YM gonna be angry so yeah he block it instead. Sometimes man is so stupid reading woman gesture, so when I found man like this in the drama world it makes me a little bit happy.
+ As simple as love infiltrate our heart, sometimes a little things too that annoyed us. And when that little thing finally piling up, and sometimes without our knowledge too, that's when we think to end things up.
Overall this really good drama to watch
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Good Enough
Korean Drama 'Yumi's Cells' combines masterfully animation with a fluffy and yet realistic love story.The animation, first of all, was a hit or miss, and they did a great job creating this fun atmosphere that was both funny and necessary for giving an insight to the characters' thoughts and what motivated them to act as they did.
In addition, the love story was pretty sweet, with plenty of cute moments and a realistic outcome, that, however, will probably be better resolved in the second season. The whole drama of the love story was nicely embedded to the progress of the relationship and it was pretty realistic.
Finally, the performances were all great and the animation well made.
So, overall, 8.5 out of 10.
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The live action isn't much dramatization, the animation that is represented by cells in Yumi's head explains a lot of things that are turbulent within Yumi in many ways that make sense and makes me think "oh this is what happens inside my head, when I see Yumi experience something."
The story of this drama is simple, about Yumi who goes about her daily life, goes to work, meets love, etc. but accompanied by the cells that work in Yumi's head, they try their best to help Yumi live a happy life, making this drama very exciting. The execution is good, the acting is good, I just really think this drama is good, especially when things start to get serious in Yumi and Woong's relationship, they're cute together and got a lot of dokidoki moments between them but the dynamics in their relationship feels organic.
The last two episodes is hard to watch for me, Yumi and Woong already spent to much time together, create a lot of memories together, the way they did it with that card gimmick and flashback, it broke me.
Oh yeah, the OST are also good, really helps to amplify the feelings and emotions in every scene. My favorite is "Our Story" by Melomance, they slayed with "Love, Maybe" this year in Business Proposal, and both songs affect me in the same way, that I will only take in the good memories between Yumi and Woong, like I did with Shin Ha Ri and Kang Tae Moo. I still can't move on from Business Proposal.
I don't know if I'm going to watch the 2nd season, I love Yumi and Woong too much. So yeah, 5-stars from me, thank you.
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Very, very funny
If you have ever wondered how and why your heart and mind and body react in certain situations, here’s your answer. Yumi’s Cells portrays the inner debates going on inside of us through cartoon characters representing love, reason, anxiety and everything else which makes us who we are. The interaction between the cells is absolutely hilarious and I laughed out loud several times, especially when the male lead’s cells showed up. Very, very funny stuff and very well written.Surprisingly, despite the cartoon parts, this show offers a more realistic depiction of a relationship than many dramas that are entirely live action based. The two main characters fall in love (so cute!) but then struggle communicating. Love and betrayal, pride and miscommunication are all very realistically portrayed. We see the situations our couple find themselves in from the cells’ perspective, and they don’t always agree on what to do or say. Ultimately, a lot is left unsaid and a lot is left undone. (I would definitely recommend watching the first few episodes of Season 2 as well, because a lot of the events in the first season are explained further.)
The acting was phenomenal. Kim Go Eun’s Blue Dragon award was well deserved for her portrayal of Yumi, and Ahn Bo Hyun was just perfect for the role of her boyfriend. Give the cells an award too! They really were the stars of the show. I thoroughly enjoyed Season 1 and can highly recommend it.
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A SWOONWORTHY KDRAMA
If you're looking for a romantic feel-good kdrama which depicts a slice of life and is relatable then this is the drama you are looking for.What makes yumi's cells stand out is the style of storytelling.
The show focuses mainly on her emotions and how she makes different decisions because of them. Her strongest desires are represented through her prime cells.
What makes yumi so relatable is that she is a normal working woman who has up and downs like anyone of us. Season 1 focuses on yumi and woong's relationship. Woong is a game developer who is completely smitten by yumi from their first date. Their relationship forms the main storyline of the series.
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Relatable and adorable romcom!
This romcom is ADORABLE! They took the awkwardness, self doubt, and insecurities that come with dating and made it refreshingly funny and clever. The animation cells remind me of Pixar's INSIDE OUT concept where each cell is in charge of a feeling and serves as the leads' inner voice, often delivering the funny punchlines as well.. Being able to see and hear behind the mask is what makes this drama so fun and relatable.Kim Go Eun is effortlessly natural as Yumi, showing Yumi's loneliness, awkwardness, and insecurities to relatable perfection. Go Eun's talent of being able to convey so much through her eyes and expressions alone is what makes this drama work. It lines up with the animated scenes and you can just feel what she's thinking. It also lends to the comedy as well. By playing it realistic, those embarrassing situations are even funnier and cuter.
I liked the chemistry she had with Ahn Bo Hyun and would have liked more scenes of them instead of all the anime. That was my one gripe. While the anime is cute and clever,, there was just too much of it and sometimes it got boring..
I would have much rather seen the chemistry play out between the leads than watching it through the anime characters. I hope this is something they'll fix in season 2. Can't wait!
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Anti-mainstream drama, a fresh new concept that I found. combines 50% cute animations of Yumi&Woong's cells and 50% Yumi and Woong's love story. Yumi and Woong's characters are often encountered in real life. I also sometimes feel related to some of Yumi's conditions. The story flows well, I really enjoyed it while watching it. Kim Goeun plays Yumi's character very well. Many positive things can be taken from this drama. First we are beautiful, handsome, attractive, perfect in the eyes of the right people. Second, in our relationship we should be flexible. In some conditions we have to put ourselves in the number 1 priority so that no one hurts us carelessly. However, in some other conditions.. we can't be selfish, and have to think about our partner's feelings. Third, from this drama we learn self love, even though one world does bad to us, there are still our cells that only focus on us under any circumstances, not on other people. So we must also be kind to ourselves. We are not alone, we have cells that support us. Overall I like this drama so much and looking forward to season 2. Was this review helpful to you?
She fell in love like rain falls while the sun is shining
Don't get mistaken, the headline doesn't spoil any plot but the feeling of this series itself. Yes, it does feel like a sunshower. Yumi, just like any young adult, has her own routine. All the feelings that appear since episode 1 of this drama must feel like something strange to her routine, as so many feelings fall once at a time showering her without notice.I myself have not read the webtoon yet but I had no problem adjusting to this new storytelling style changing real quick from real people to cartoons. Instead, I find it really entertaining. The animator and dubber had made the cell characters alive to the point that I feel like I belong with them. I must say that they give me a great sense of belonging to myself as well. It's like seeing the "whole" me loving and taking care of myself each and every day, no matter what happens to me.
What is unique from this FL is that I feel no similarity between me and Yumi, our preference for men doesn't match as well, yet she is so relatable. The cells don't just tell us what happens but show us. They even show us why and how everything happens.
Hence, I don't really recommend you to watch it with any expectation of what comes next. Instead, use this opportunity to dare yourself to get out of your comfort zone to see something new, feel something strange, and finally feel a deeper connection with yourself once again.
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Most realistic unrealistic drama
Okay, a very little spoiler. I cried my eyes out at the end of the first season. Still have to watch the second one, that is why I rewatched it just now. I still love it. The whole cell thing can get a bit annoying sometimes, but it adds so much insight to the characters. I love them all. The main and the side characters. And I love the realness. Showing all human emotions in such a fun way to understand. Can’t help but being hopeless romantic though. This show is def worth every minutes, especially if you are a little tired of the normal kdrama scene. You will get your love and jealousy and side characters. But you will also get normal relationship issues, some can be solved, some can’t. Like daily lifes. There is so much more behind than what we can see/hear and feel.Was this review helpful to you?
Most awaited drama
I loved Kim Go-eun a lot she’ s one of a kind. She is a unique actress her personality is a kind and lovable person. you can see in her that she is not a pretentious person so everyone who can work with even a novice or a veteran actor, she can easily get along with and loves her a lotShe also Beautiful and Sophisticated.
Ahn Bo-hyun, on the other hand, I saw him in another drama and I honestly didn't like him maybe because of the character he plays. but here in yumi's cells, my feelings for him has changed! hehe .. it means he's also a good actor, I want him now too.😊
Can’t wait season 2! 👍
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So relatable
I loved this drama mostly because I could relate to the female lead. The entire story was engaging, and as the main couple fell in love, so did I. The pacing was perfect for me, and I feel like it was one of the few K-dramas that felt realistic (apart from the Yumi's Cells animation). While the ending wasn't what I had hoped for, it was logical and fitting for the story. I only wish I could see more of their journey.Was this review helpful to you?
