Once Upon a Small Town

어쩌다 전원일기 ‧ Drama ‧ 2022
Completed
myaw0o
0 people found this review helpful
Aug 28, 2025
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 5.0

Cute and cozy drama ❤️

Super cute drama! iI was a bit annoyed with the FL in the first 1-2 episodes but started liking her afterwards.
I loved the country side vibe, the small streets and the rice fields. It was very pretty and relaxing to look at. The nosy neighbors were kind of annoying as characters but don't let that out you off.
Both main actors are adorable and it's just a super cozy, sweet. I liked that there is no major dramatic incident happening so that makes it a very relaxing watch.
The soundtrack is also quite nice and relaxing.
100% recommended.
Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Genom
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 27, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.5

cute, homely romance

__*Once Upon a Small Town (2022)*__ 8,5/10 -kdrama

ok story is pretty basic and even its same rating from me I think Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) did a bit better for this theme. At least even it got tag comedy at MDL I didnt found much of it here + it was almost one man show. Meanwhile hometown got excelent support roles.

this drama was very much carried by main female lead[Joy], like through drama I think I grew affection for women in uniform which I am sure I never had.

Ok enough joking truthfully her cute, klutz, smiling image doesnt really fit for policewoman work[like who would respect her?] still for work in small village it may work. Still her role was most enjoyable to watch in this drama.

__*plot*__ - ML works as a veterinarian in Seoul. He is popular for his face, but he is classic introverted guy which hates hassle. One day he got serious call from his grandfather from countryside. In hurry he arrives there just to discover he was pranked into being director of vet clinic in that countryside for half year in stead of his grandfather which goes on trip around world with his grandmother. In this countryside he meet super nosy pokicewoman which for some reason shows alot around him but at same time seems to have beef with him.

__*genre*__ - romance

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
andriaa
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 13, 2025
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers

Need a short, sweet, light romance? Give it a try, trust me!

Honestly the start isn't that impressive. Seems like a nosy FL, also those annoying aunties in neighborhood. I've been curious of this show since long ago though, and it's just 12 eps @30minutes. Nothing to lose to finish it. And glad I made a right decision :)

The story is focused on the main couple's dynamics, which IS GOOD. No unnecessary side stories.

I like both of lead's characters. ML, I feel him at the beginning when he needs to adjust himself in completely new & different environment. He's quite an introvert that dislikes a sudden change, people cross his boundaries/privacy, etc. However he still has manner to be polite towards others. CYW's acting is good. He's stiff as he should. Even when talking to his Seoul friend, his expression & words is that efficient, lol. Also like his casual look. CYW is effortlessly handsome, his casual hair style is just fit with him.

FL, not a good first impression of her. Seems nosy, her look isn’t convincing as a police officer (her make up is on, also her well-styled hair despite her work that's almost always under the sun). But after 2 eps, I'm starting to get used to her characters and appearance. She intentionally puts her make up on, that's why. I like her combination of characters. She's cheerful, but she also has that calmness. She is bright like a sun, but she can be that gloomy. She's reliable and capable of doing anything but she also has that inferiority. I feel ML at the beginning, but later (til the end) I feel FL, I'm with her :)

The romance, it's a love quadrangle but luckily SFL and SML still have their senses, so rest assured, it's just a spice, not stressful :)
I also like that both ML and FL fight for each other's love. Not a one-sided fight, you know.
People can say anything, but to me the lead's chemistry is unexpectedly good!! ML and FL look naturally comfie and in love with each other. You know, ML's expression is stiff almost throughout the drama, but when he's having good time with FL, his smile melts, he can laugh, and his white teeth shows off (lol). It's a rare moment, don’t you miss it, lol.

The last, "What's the point of dating if you don't bother each other?" is the best quote from this show.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Danny Yatim
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 29, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Just a simple, sweet love story

This was a nice and simple story to watch. No need to think too much. Sometimes sweet, sometimes funny. I did not expect any surprises at the time, It was entertaining enough, but the story itself could have been made more complex. First of all, I did not find the vet really having a hard time adjusting himself to this small town, being such a dedicated professional. Yes, it may be annoying to meet all these nosy town folks (which you will also find in other dramas), but it didn't end up being some kind of disaster. The other guy who seemed to be a rival was also not a strong enough character to cause any conflict in the story. But I do like the acting of the two main leads.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Elin Einarsdottir
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 15, 2024
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Short, simple, and sweet

The title says it all. If you're looking for something that's not too complicated or demanding, but rather lighthearted and sweet this absolutely hits the spot. With 12 episodes that are just over 30 minutes long it's not a big commitment, and in my opinion worth sitting trough.

I do not appreciate that there is no cringe humor or what I'd classify as stupid jokes - you know, the cheap shots.

In the future I could see myself re-watching the series as a comfort watch, or to fill the gap while waiting for a different Kdrama to finish airing (I binge-watch rather then having to wait for the next installment).

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
annyeongdramalovers
0 people found this review helpful
Jul 9, 2025
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 6.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Don't you remember me?

It's a clean cliche drama with all the predictable plots. A veterinarian doctor comes back to his grandparent's village after such a long time just because of one emergency call. I know, you'll question if he's so close with his grandparents, he should've visited them frequently. Leave the reality-based questions out , only then you'll like the drama.

This drama will give you cute love scenes, bickering, a second male lead syndrome (I don't know why they wait till the main guy appears), as usual nosy neighborhood and a second female lead from past just to drag the love story.

I'll rewatch it when a good drama ends, to fill the void with all it's romantic scenes.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
emilybarnes688
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 25, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Simply Sweet

This one gave me Hometown Cha Cha Cha vibes - only it was set in the countryside, not the seaside. There wasn’t too much of a story to it which I felt was kind of expected.

I liked the interactions between the ML and the other guy. The looks that were served were quite amusing. I also liked the Ajummas as they were funny too. The little children were sweet. The animals were cute - I liked that the ML was a vet. I’m curious though as to how much police work got done by the FL as she seemed to be more of a helping hand than a policewoman - although I guess there isn’t much crime to be committed in such a small town.

I don’t get why the FL didn’t just say, “hey, don’t you remember me?” to the ML. Instead she just got grumpy at him for not remembering who she was. I mean, it had been 15 years since they last saw each other.

I’m glad the romance only came about towards the end as otherwise it would have been very rushed for such a short drama. The few short moments we got to see of them together were simply sweet.

The ex-girlfriend business seemed a bit out of place, but as with any drama there had to be a ‘complication.’

-E

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
pktljames
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 23, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers

Sweet and Cute

I watched this drama with a friend and we both liked it. It's not a GREAT drama, but it's lighthearted and cute with a good cast and a happy ending. And all of that is what I want in a drama.

For me, the downside was some of the townpeople. The ajumah women were literally characters that I groaned every time they showed up. I don't like to watch people bicker and that was basically their purpose on the show. It really was annoying and a big part of why I didn't give the show a higher score.

One of he best characters is the second male lead. I wish we had been given more scenes with him and the male lead because they were a hoot to watch together. But I loved how the 2ML isn't an annoying character or one that tries to cause problems because he's not getting what he wants. He was just awesome all the way through and I wish more 2nd lead characters were like him.

Overall, it's a cute drama and a great one if you want to just watch something fun and light.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Dar Jae
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 22, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 7.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This is a cute story. Not very romantic but it was enough for how this story is written. I won't focus on the main leads because everyone did very well to make this storyline come alive. The set and visuals were great from the first episode to the last episode. It was short and sweet. I'm not a pet owner, I was but I think you have to be very passionate about owning a pet that will only live 14 years. I can't do that anymore, it hurts to lose them. I wasn't crazy about the wardrobes because the police uniform is only blue and looks like the main lead only had maybe 3 changes to make. That's that.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Akirasub
0 people found this review helpful
Feb 7, 2024
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.5
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 5.0

Hay que verla con ganas.

Los capítulos son de media hora, se ven rápido. Aunque notaba algunas partes forzadas. Pienso que al querer hacer un drama "corto" lo que es la historia en si, es rápida, eso es algo que no me gustó mucho.
No es una historia que contenga intriga, si que hay alguna parte pero no es mucho. Es una historia entretenida, para pasar el rato si no sabes que ver.
Me emocioné en uno de los capítulos por la historia del animal y su dueño. Me sentí identificada en ese caso.
Me gusta la personalidad del personaje de Han Ji-yul.
Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
PHope
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 22, 2022
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 5.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Good Enough

Korean Web Drama " Once Upon A Small Town " is a rural romantic comedy.

The drama is predictable, yes, entertaining though. It has all the feel good vibes that one is searching in a short rom com drama, it has the right amount of drama and the even more perfect right amount of romance. The latter was cute, with few romantic scenes however, as the drama took its time to enstablish the relationship. The love triangle was okay, on the other hand, and offered some supsence with the main love story.

The performances, in addition, were all great by everyone in the cast, even the side characters.

So, overall, five out of ten.

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Completed
Tate Arson
0 people found this review helpful
Jun 16, 2023
12 of 12 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 5.0

"소에, 되지, 사람들까지, 계획대로 되는 게 하나도 없으니까."

I feel like the most appropriate time to watch this sunny K-drama is a leisurely summer breakfast with a cup of tea. The 30-mins episodes and an easy-to-follow story about two young people - former secret friends - will be able to provide enough warmth and comfort for the day.

🔸️The plot is entirely focused on the young veterinarian Ji Yool and a policewoman Ja Yeong slowly falling in love. By "entirely" I mean entirely. There are many authentic characters around them in the Huidong village but none of them have any influence on the main characters or an arc. That isolated romantic development falls flat leaving me indifferent to the ending. My favorite episode though was the 7th where Ji Yool and Ja Yeong give the opposite relationship advices to the kid, confusing him, therefore showcasing their differences.

However, I find the comedic beginning - how Ji Yool adapts to the village life and tries to treat big cattle - very enjoyable. Mostly thanks to the actor Choo Yeong Woo and his soft comedic style. He is never too much and has a perfect balance in his expressions. Basically, the whole show is his.

🔸️A K-drama in a rural setting with its beautiful landscapes and loud nosy ajummas is always going to be comforting despite its writing flaws. There are far better examples like Summer Strike, Hometown Cha-cha-vha, Our Blues, but if you look for a short sweet one with cute puppies and cute Choo Yeong Woo - this is it!

Read More

Was this review helpful to you?
Once Upon a Small Town poster

Details

Statistics

  • Score: 7.9 (scored by 25,965 users)
  • Ranked: #3070
  • Popularity: #383
  • Watchers: 48,029

Top Contributors

73 edits
33 edits
21 edits
20 edits

Popular Lists

Related lists from users
Short KDrama
2158 titles 548 loves 16
BEST 2022 KOREAN DRAMAS
77 titles 1059 voters 69 loves 18

Recently Watched By