Simple slice of life romcom.
The second half of the series is way more enjoyable. The beginning was kind of shaky, but I did enjoy it over all. I watched this series because I loved the ML in The Tale of Lady Ok, and needed to see more of him. The 2nd ML is also an actor I enjoy.At first the towns people were very annoying. (which is normal for kdramas.) However, I really related to the ML when he wanted to set clear boundaries. The FL was a bit over the top at the beginning but the writers did a good job and her likable by the end.
This drama isn't going to blow your mind. However it is a nice pallette clense. Each episode runs between 30 to 40 minutes, and the vibe is light and sweet.
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Short, Sweet, and Utterly Beautiful
"Once Upon a Small Town" is one of those rare gems that gently tugs at your heart without trying too hard. It’s a drama that radiates warmth, comfort, and simplicity in the best possible way. Everything about it feels sweet and soothing—from the picturesque countryside setting to the gentle pacing and the endearing characters that fill the screen with kindness and sincerity.There were no dull moments, no unnecessary drama just pure, wholesome storytelling. Each episode felt like a warm cup of tea on a quiet day. The chemistry between the leads was natural and heart-fluttering, and every supporting character added a unique charm that made the small town feel real and deeply lovable.
It's a healing drama in every sense soft, comforting, and full of heart. Watching it felt like a peaceful escape, and by the time it ended, it left behind a smile and a full heart. Sometimes, less really is more and Once Upon a Small Town proves just that.
A beautifully crafted show that’s short, sweet, and simply unforgettable.
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So light hearted drama ? Must watch it
How Adorable! A feel good romance! I really enjoyed watching this! It was a all new cast for me and their chemistry was so cute!! I'll have to go see what else they star in. This is a lighthearted, funny romance with absolutely no angst or over the top drama, It was really rather refreshing. Sometimes it's nice to watch something without going through an emotional rollercoaster. This drama gives all the butterflies of a sweet first love. I couldn't get enough of the main couple, they were so awkward and then once they decided to confess their feeling all the akwardness melted away and they became something so beautiful. I definitely recommend this sweet little bit-sized romance, it will make you remember or give you butterflies!Was this review helpful to you?
Strictly Average...
Once upon a small town follows the very cliche kdrama path. It is short but some of the episodes really make u crazy. Super annoying love triangle with a very kind good for nothing 2nd male lead who always receive pitty, it didn't skip the other side triangle as well.. a very annoying 2nd actress will also part of the story..Story is simple, When it sets in a very beautiful environment, it naturally creates that refreshness while you watching. So it kind of watchable drama overall. I mean if you're not bothered about the triangle part. The first six episodes was really interesting. But next 3 was super annoying, and the last 3 was decent. Leads are cute and very good looking.
Even though the middle part was very frustrating. the last 3 episode was really good without much dragging, it still follows the same kdrama endings.. But the mood which it create has some beautiful moments. Overall i can't label this out as a complete bore drama it solely depend on the viewer, but still they can make a different type of settings if they removed that love triangle...
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This review may contain spoilers
Once Upon a Small Town is full of cheese and drama tropes, but at the end it felt well worth the watch.. even if I could guess what was going to happen because of it's tropy-ness. One of my favorite drama plots is moving from a city into a small village and this one is all about that. It gave me Hometown Cha Cha Cha vibes where a smart, city doctor comes in and being in a village is the last thing they want in the world. The town itself is so beautiful and I loved getting to see the scenery with all the cinematography shots they give.
What added to my rating of 9 was I felt that some plots/tropes were added, but not really needed. I still don't really see why they added in his tragic backstory with the town + Officer Ahn other than having that as the mystery.. which didn't really make sense to me seeming he didn't even remember the trauma until the drama was almost over. It could've been fine without it and them just met for the first time when he came then, or just of had him remember earlier into the show rather than drag it out.
Joy's acting is amazing in this and was one of the main reasons that drug me in. She gave such life to Officer Ahn and helped me feel all the butterflies and feelings she was as it was going on. Her chemistry with the male lead as well was so good and I loved seeing the relationship blossom.
Watching the animal stories itself was emotional and I loved seeing all the pets/animals in the village. Some of them even made me cry... It's just a beautiful, cheesy romance story.
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Nice plot, boring acting
The story is cute and the show feels relaxing to watch, mostly the scenes with the puppies/other animals, and the open fields of the countryside. However, no acting from either the main leads during the first 10 episodes (on eps 11 and 12 we finally see some different face expressions from them). It also felt quite repetitive.Overall, found it quite boring and not worth rewatching.
But if you need something light/soft just to be playing on TV, it's an option.
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SHORT BUT SWEET AND CUTE
This short but sweet drama will give you joy. You have to watch this drama with open heart and mind then you will find yourself smiling from each episodes. The cast is perfectly played their characters with cute animals. A refreshing drama from all the stress happening in the world.The main leads give me so much butterflies. Their chemistry is so good to the point you will thought that they are in a real relationship . It's sad that its super short with 30 mins plus per episode and 12 eps only.
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REMARKABLY MEDIOCRE !!!
After watching K-dramas for so many years, it is difficult for audience like me to find a show that can wow us to our core. We have probably seen every trope and cliché repeat and reinvent itself time and again. Once Upon a Small Town (OUST) is a drama from 2015-2016 repackaged with modern production. My review might read harsher than what I scored, but this show is average at best. There is nothing vastly disappointing about it, but I guess its mediocrity is the reason why it failed to garner any kind of attention from the audience who are over fed by exciting content across various platforms. My review contains no spoilers.POSITIVES OF THE SHOW
1. SETUP: The charm of this show is the place where it’s told. Every k-drama that is being produced these days is set up in the concrete jungle of Seoul. The show does a great job of giving a much-needed break from an urban based story line and visually entices us with sunny landscape, picturesque farmlands, open roads and village life. The simplicity of the village life does a good job of making the viewers nostalgic of their hometowns or simply indulges our desire to escape the hassles of a big city.
2. NO DRAMA: If you are tired of shows that have a lot of drama, angst, betrayal, backstabbing, evil characters etc. then this is a great palette cleanser of a show. After a heavy show I recommend people to watch OUST. The slice of life genre meets rom com does a good job of keeping the story light and fluffy throughout the 12 episodes.
3. MISSING OLD K-DRMAS: If there are people who are missing yesteryear Korean shows that did not have complicated plots or had a straightforward romance with tried and tested tropes then this show is for you. There is nothing remotely complex about OUST and the simplicity of the plot mixed with calming outdoor aesthetic is reminiscent of olden Korean shows.
NEGATIVES OF THE SHOW
1. BORING ROMANCE: There is nothing exciting and capturing about the romance in this show. The writing was very bland & uninspiring, almost as if the script was written for graduation project & not a Netflix show. The leads had no memorable moments or chemistry. I fault the writing more than the actors as the script gave them very less opportunity to showcase genuine connection unfolding between the characters. The characters lacked dimension, genuine motives & authenticity because of which the romance seemed insincere.
2. AVERAGE ACTTORS: Personally, even in the most under budgeted k-drama shows I’ve never seen a “bad” actor. I believe that Koreans are at top of their game, especially when it's about acting. So, when I come across a show that underwhelmed me in this category, I was surprised. Choo Young Woo as Han Ji Yul was okay. He did a decent job, but one could see that he is still young in the business & requires tons of experience. In some scenes he did great and in some he overdid. Joy as Ahn Ja Young was surprisingly appropriate. She has most definitely improved since Tempted. However, one could still feel certain stiffness in her acting. My favorite actor was probably the third lead played by Baek Sung Chul. It was my first time seeing him act and one could tell he has a spark. I look forward to his future projects.
All in all, OUST is a forgettable show. I doubt I will re-watch this in the future. But due to its relaxing story and rural setup, I’m sure many can give this one a shot.
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Simple Slice-of-Life Drama with Romance as a focus - Not much happens
“Once Upon a Small Town” is a very light, slice-of life drama set in a rural setting. I can’t help but compare it to “Summer Strike”. Both dramas have the main lead moving from Seoul to a rural village for different reasons, needing to learn to integrate into their new communities and along the way meeting someone they like.Not much really goes on in “Once Upon a Small Town”. If you are into a simple drama with a romance-centric plot, then this is for you. Similar to many stories about small town living, you can’t get away from having loud and nosy villagers as the supporting cast. Even though the villagers don’t really show up too much in the drama, when they do, they are really boisterous and annoying. “Summer Strike” does not have this problem, but it has a different plot that disrupts the quiet rural life. If you want a stronger romance plot, then “Once Upon a Small Town” is better than “Summer Strike”. “Summer Strike’s” romance has a more mature and quiet feel to it. The romance in this drama is more slow-burn, innocent and sweet. It’s also cuter and fluffier when the leads finally get together.
The acting is decent and the chemistry is OK. It’s interesting to have a story about a vet but unfortunately, it doesn’t go into detail about the profession. I would have loved to see more animal cases and how he treats the animals. This is not a medical drama, like “Forest”, so the focus is mainly on the two main leads.
I have an easy time watching it. I will only recommend this if you are really looking for a simple slice-of-life drama. Do not expect plot twists or anything unpredictable.
Completed: 7/7/2023 - Review #329
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Cute
There is nothing deep to analyse or fuss about here. I didn't expect to like it this much when I started watching it but it turned out I couldn't wait for the next episodes. Do I care about veterinary technicality in this show? Of course not. I just watch and turn off my brain and giggle.This drama is to binge on a weekend and enjoy without worrying much about anything. The music is cute, the story is cute, the actors are cute, the dogs are cute, the greeneries are refreshing. Life is good.
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So Boring
I really wanted to like this one, but it was just so boring. The discription of the show made it seem like it would give Hometown Cha Cha Cha vibes (and it does to an extent), but at over half way through the series almost nothing has happened. The writing is just lazy and cliche to the point it is not enjoyable, and the cast have no chemistry with one another. The "cute" factor of the show does not save it from being one to skip. There are much better shows to spend your time watching with a similar small town wholesome feel.Was this review helpful to you?
huge let down was nothing like the webtoon series...
They changed the story so much it might as well been a completely different series then it was originally, and made it awkward and cringey. They changed the characters personalities, and rushed the storyline, both coming out flat. (no fault to the actors, I liked the cast), the series started okay, but then around ep 6 or 7 it grew past 'okay cringyness' (I know I made up that word there), and every scene grew worse, I couldn't bring myself to watch the last episode. I may finish the last ep in the future, but I don't really see that happening lol. Anyway, it was a huge letdown from the webtoon series that I enjoyed.Was this review helpful to you?
