All the Liquors

This was an okay watch, but nothing special. It wasn’t ultra-boring or hard to sit through or anything, and the premise was fairly interesting, but I think it fell flat with the chemistry and relationship development. And I thought the show’s messaging about alcohol was flawed.

In terms of the overall storyline, I didn’t think the relationship development or the development of Kihoon’s views on alcohol made sense.

From the start, Kihoon agreed to serve Jiyoo food during the restaurant’s break hours, which was a rule he strictly upheld. It didn’t make sense given that he had no pre-existing relationship with Jiyoo and Jiyoo had only ever made a bad, extremely drunk impression on him.

But more than that, the turning point where Kihoon really started to like Jiyoo seemed to be when Jiyoo helped with a large party at the restaurant, but as part of that, he offered them alcohol. He did that despite knowing about Kihoon’s alcohol ban, but Kihoon wasn’t upset and actually ended up removing the alcohol ban as a result. That was totally out of character, given that he vehemently refused any type of alcohol to be served no matter how upset it made customers, and often got angry if he was challenged. He knew that alcohol would make customers happier from the start, so seeing that play out in front of him wouldn’t have been a surprise. Not enough to overcome his trauma and make him do a total 180 after strictly upholding his rules for so long, anyways.

For Kihoon to go from strictly banning alcohol in all forms to serving it in his restaurant, agreeing to partner with an alcohol company, and personally drinking alcohol, all within a span of a few weeks, just didn’t make sense. It seemed too abrupt.

And that brings me to my second point. I didn’t like that the show was about rehabbing Kihoon to be okay with alcohol instead of rehabbing or even acknowledging Jiyoo’s blatant alcoholic tendencies. Because it’s totally valid to not drink, to not want to serve alcohol, and to not want to be around alcohol, and those boundaries should be respected, not treated as unreasonable. Jiyoo was quite literally an alcoholic. He drank every day and with every meal - not just a drink or two, but actively getting shitfaced. He would show up at work hungover and smelling of alcohol. But his behavior was never acknowledged as problematic. Kihoon had trauma about his grandmother who drank daily, but in the end her drinking was framed in a positive light, with him saying that she was drinking to congratulate herself for raising him. So the show ended up normalizing alcoholism while framing sobriety as abnormal, and that didn’t sit well with me.

The chemistry was there, but died with 3 dead fish kisses and not a single proper one. The relationship only gets to the awkward beginning stage. They’ve only known each other for a few weeks by the end of the show, and haven’t even reached the “love” stage yet, so it didn’t feel like a deep everlasting HEA, which is the type of fantastical romance I prefer.

Also, the show opens with Jiyoo’s break up with his ex, which I felt was irrelevant and should have been excluded. Why unnecessarily put in ex-related stuff? I don’t even like it when they put in ex-related stuff that is relevant.

Good consent / boundaries for the most part. The only minor issue was when Jiyoo put his face really close to Kihoon’s and watched while he was passed out drunk.

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Quiet, sweet, but nothing special

I actually really like this show. I'm not going to claim it's a particularly *good* show by any means, but it is very pleasant to watch.
It's got a very calm, gentle atmosphere about it, a sort of warm mellow quality that I really enjoyed.
The plot is paper-thin, but the characters are charming and believable to the point where the actual story almost doesn't matter - you just want to keep watching these people living their lives.
The story could have explored alcoholism and Korean drinking culture and it is indeed disappointing that it fails to live up to that potential (oh the things that could have been).
Personally though, once I lowered my expectations a bit, found a lot to like about the series just as it is. The friendships depicted are wonderful, the humour is often understated but works very well with the story, and the pacing and relationship progression are absolutely perfect.
There is no huge drama, no pre-finale curse, there's honestly barely any conflict at all. I can understand why a lot of people lost interest in the show because of this, but I find it a refreshingly realistic take on a budding relationship that makes for a good palate cleanser from more intense dramas.
If you're interested in a low-angst, slice-of-life type drama about people appreciating good food and good company, which features a very wholesome, gentle slow-burn romance, then I'd recommend giving this series a shot.

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Shocked at low rating

Honestly, I never write reviews on this website because the ratings on these shows always seem to be absolutely BRUTAL, but the rating being a 7.1 (and ranked below "The New Employee") really compelled me to.

This is a care-free, light-hearted show about a marketing employee searching for a chef to promote a liquor company, and he ends up in a dilemma where he has to work with a chef who is known to have a strong aversion to alcohol. The plot is fairly unique in terms of food-centered kbl series - it doesn't focus on the food necessarily, but rather how their opposing views on alcohol bring them together.

The series is only 8, 20~ minute episodes, so it moves fairly quickly as expected. Some other people mentioned in their reviews the ML suddenly decided he would work with the alcohol product out of no-where and that he had a change of heart seemingly "because of love". It makes me wonder if they even paid attention to the show??? The chef was in a very specific circumstance where he needed help and money, and when Ji Yoo offered him both things, he accepted (after 2 weeks of him refusing) as a way to return the favor. When he drank alcohol, it was because he came to be comfortable around Ji Yoo and wanted to make him happy, but also because it was his job???? He had to make a menu surrounding the alcohol, it makes sense for him to try it at some point in order to make a menu that reflected and enhanced the flavor of said alcohol.

Another complaint I saw was that there was no character development and fights were resolved quickly. I'm not sure what people are expecting out of a web series; I thought it moved at a great pace and was reasonable for the plot line. The arc where they have to create a menu seems to take place over the course of a month, and I assume we are supposed to infer that both the leads grew close over this time period. I don't think it's necessary to think too deeply about it.

The production is good. For these shows you never know it will be seemingly "indie" or high quality, but it falls perfectly in-between. As a film student, I thought the framing and coloring were better than average for a web-series, and the sets were wonderful.

Both leads were charming and had great chemistry from the beginning, and the side characters weren't annoying. If you enjoy food dramas, or series based around a restaurant environment (The Tasty Florida, To My Star, My Sweet Dear, etc.) , I highly recommend this series.

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maybe everyone agrees with me that all the liquor is an extraordinary work from south korea. from all aspects of this drama is superior when compared to other dramas in terms of story? extraordinary with the duration per episode reaching 15-20 minutes, in terms of acting from the actors? The chemistry of the main actors in this drama is no longer recognised, from a cinematographic point of view? you can judge if you have watched this drama. highly recommended to watch. but in terms of the ost I'm not interested in listening to the song but that's just a personal opinion. I am very grateful to the hard work of the entire staff from the actors, director, and all those who played an important role in the success of this drama

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It’s all about the alcohol and not the romance

The simplicity taken in this show has come to the point that it tasted bland. The potential is misused as the drama solely focuses on the algid bloom of romance that takes too long to execute. It takes more than half of the show to let the viewers know exactly why the lead actor hated liquor that much and his reason for not appearing in any television guestings. This is not a good way of letting the audience feel the sensation of every scene from each episode before the ending.

Despite the captivating visuals of the main couple, I think that they need more acting experience to carry out their roles perfectly. I got the feeling that it affects the affection needed from both of their characters. The kissing clips are not that passionate. I want to see more fiery and exciting performances from them since I was astonished by their good looks and physique.

Regardless of the cons of the show, it is safe to say that it is not that worse compare to some K-BLs out there. I somehow enjoyed it without any doubt. I just hope that the production and the actors themselves can see where the show lacks the most and try to improve it for their next individual projects. All the Liquors is a show about characters that can and can’t live without drinking alcohol but takes us into viewing their significant stories that revolve around romance and life in general.

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cute tension yet lacked depth in the story

overall its a nice series with great tension yet it lacked depth story wise, the idea was there yet it barely gone deep. but overall I adore the chemistry they had, is very push and pull type of tension with a hint of mature-ness esque in it. its very light and easy to delve in.

the thing is their characther development was very lacking and that's why i think its very light yet they show maturity in most of the scenes. while on top of that their romantic upbringing felt abit rushed but the ending was pretty cute. ihope they do a prequel of each characther to show what made them THEM as in expanding their world building and not sticking to a very typical progressive story line

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It’s a cute slow burn with touches of humor and romance. The highlight of the series is definitely the cast, especially the chemistry between Ki Hoon and Ji Yu. The story is simple and easy to follow, and I really enjoyed the subtle glances, the smiles, and the sincere, genuine way the actors brought their characters to life.

What did bother me, though, was how the show handled alcohol. Ji Yu is drunk in most scenes. Having a drink with a meal? Totally fine. But drinking at every meal? To the point of being wasted? Showing up to work hungover and reeking of booze?

I actually liked Ki Hoon’s initial stance of banning alcohol in his restaurant, even if it didn’t sit well with some customers. But then he suddenly gives in to pressure and changes his mind. I wish he had stuck to his original decision.

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Drunk on happiness :)

One hell of a cute watch. Love can change people and All the Liquors is probably the best example of that! I loved each and every character in this show. They were not afraid to show their weaknesses and neither were they afraid to be seen loving their partner. They are not closeted, and couldn't care less about what people think about them.

Story wise, there is not much new, but it's quite refreshing nonetheless. No triangles, no toxicity, no random past returns. Just a sweet love story that changes the world of two men in more ways that they could have imagined.
The two main leads are cute as hell and I am in love, in love with Won Do Hyun. He is seriously sexy and so very tall... Plus I am a sucker for height difference couples especially in BLs.. And this one definitely has that! :D

Can watch and then re-watch.. Quite a lovely story.. So go for it!!!!❤️

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Overall thought: This series is simple, light, and hearty. I find it refreshing for me. The main leads are cute together.
What I liked?
I like Han Ji Yu's dedication to his job and the company he works for.
I like the back story behind why Park Ki Hoon don't carry alcohol in his restaurant.
I like the bit of humor the show had to it.
I liked that the acting was good for the most part.
What I disliked?
I disliked how plot of the story was a bit boring.
I disliked how the scene were cut.
I disliked that the plot is forgettable.
Where their chemistry between actors?
I would say Yes, they were chemistry from the first meeting at the restaurant. The way Park Ki Hoon would stare at Han Ji Yu was intense.
Any Plot Improvements?
I would say that I would have love to see Par Ki Hoon and Han Ji Yu have a bit more conversation in getting to know each other. The kissing scene could have been better.
End Thoughts: This series to me is a one-time watch. Nothing memorable happened and it not a show where you would be coming back too .

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I do feel if you watch this you need to have food with you

I really enjoyed this drama, it was so cute and nice it was like having a nice meal while watching this there wasn’t any annoying characters, but it was actually one that you could get through it was calm and nice. Although I did feel that t wasn’t like a drama, but more like it could’ve been like a cooking ad since in each episode there would be a new recipe being made. I swear to god I’m just like Ji Hoon because he’s literally the only single guy in the whole friend group, I’d pay for a season two just to see if the new part time worker would be his lover. I did love Han Ji Yu because he was so adorable especially whenever he became drunk and also when he literally fell down on the front porch of Gi Hun’s restaurant and I would always be bursting out laughing because he’d just be rolling around and tripping. Also I get that the smell of beer is disgusting and smelly, but like wouldn’t it be good for business since Gi Hun did make a whole lot of fried chicken. The main couple was so cute that when Ki hoon would freeze on stage it reminded me of light on me when Tae kyung also freezes on stage and it would be their lovers who could make them be normal again. Anyways I really recommend this drama I loved each second of it.

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Overall I find it warm with each character yet I know I will soon forget about this

Dislike
The lack of intimate scenes that are viewed. It is lead on to be a bl drama yet a kiss only came in the last episode and feelings were not clear. I still don't get why Ki Hoon hated alcohol yet I watched every second of it so that is still a mystery to me that will never be discovered. Each episode wasn't clear in its message and the pacing was a little slow with no action or drama whatsoever

Like
How the friendship develops with them getting closer in their interactions.
Yi Hoo is my favourite as he is so warm and bubbly personality that anyone can be friends with and just open up with him around.

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