Emotionally Engaging Drama with Strong Performances.
At first, I didn't like the editing; it felt chaotic and not fluid. I also didn't like how the director dragged out some scenes. For example, there's no need to make me watch someone cry for over a minute - I understood they were sad and crying after the first 20 seconds. But despite that, the show manages to make you feel something, and that's the most important thing for me. If a show succeeds in creating a connection between the viewer and the characters, moving the audience's emotions to the point where they feel like they're part of the story, that's a major success.The acting was realistic and free from the usual Korean drama clichés. The actors weren't afraid to show themselves in unflattering ways, whether crying, falling, or getting hurt. There wasn't any bad acting in this drama; there was a good harmony between the cast. The show contains a mix of warmth, sadness, depth, joy, and unspoken emotions. It has a bit of everything. I highly recommend it.Was this review helpful to you?
A Cinematography Masterpiece
I rated Mr. Plankton 9.5/10 at first but honestly, I think about it way too much. Everything about this drama—from the weirdly intriguing plot to the insane acting—just worked for me. It had a melancholic, unpredictable energy that made it feel different from typical K-dramas, and I loved that.First of all, let’s talk about Woo Do-hwan because OH MY GOD. His acting? INSANE. Especially in the crying scenes—he made Hae-jo feel so real, so raw. He was this tragic character who had never truly belonged anywhere, yet he kept going, desperately searching for some kind of meaning. He was frustrating, heartbreaking, and impossible not to root for. Haejo sees himself as something that helps others but never truly belongs anywhere. It’s kind of tragic because he sees his role as being useful rather than loved. His way of pushing people away by being rude probably ties into his childhood abandonment issues. Maybe he believes that if he acts distant and cold, he can control when people leave him rather than being left unexpectedly. It’s a defense mechanism that isnt spelled out but understandable.
Then there’s Jo Jae-mi. I didn't quite know whether i liked her from the start but as I got to know her and see her, I really began to appreciate her character. Jaemi was someone who thought she had moved on, but seeing Hae-jo again reopened all the unresolved emotions. It’s like she never really had closure, and when faced with him again, those emotions came rushing back. She was messy, unpredictable, but so deeply human. Her relationship with Hae-jo was complicated, and that’s what made it so good. It wasn’t some idealized romance—it was painfully real, filled with longing, miscommunication, and bad timing.
The four-leaf clover scene? Absolutely wrecked me. The way it got swept away in the end felt like the perfect metaphor for Hae-jo's life—his luck had now run out, he always searching, always reaching, but never truly having a place to stay. And that final episode?? So beautifully bittersweet.
The one thing I wish was explored more was the breakup between the ML and FL. They were together for three years, and then suddenly, everything changed? I needed more reasoning—why did Haejo break up with her? That part felt like a missing puzzle piece. It felt a bit unclear, like the emotional weight behind it could’ve been developed a little more. But aside from that? I have no complaints.
The cinematography? Stunning.
The OST? Absolutely perfect.
The emotions? Gut-wrenching.
Mr. Plankton isn’t the kind of drama you just watch—it’s something you feel. And once you’ve felt it, you can’t forget it.
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Toxic Leads
I watched this series based on its good ratings and some social media posts describing it as funny. The show does have some poignant moments thanks to its premise -- the male lead had a brutal childhood, which he is still addressing in his late 20s, and his misfortune only gets worse when the story starts -- and the show also has its share of hilarious moments.But...
I absolutely loathed the male and female lead characters. Just hated them, and by the end I did not care if they got some sort of happy ending or not. The male lead, Hae Joo, is immediately shown to be willing to ruin a stranger's wedding out of boredom. Hae Joo decides that was fun, and so next he ruins his ex-girlfriend's (the FL, Jae Mi) wedding by knocking her unconscious and kidnapping her. Once she recovers, he uses every form of manipulation to keep her at his side. It is gross, but I guess we are supposed to see it as funny? Or maybe we are supposed to accept it, because the ML is younger and more handsome than the 2ML? Or maybe we accept it because the ML has some awful misfortune (admittedly his life genuinely does suck)? I don't know. I kept waiting for consequences or redemption or growth from the ML, but he's the same childish mess all the way to the end. This makes the story tougher to swallow.
The FL is almost as bad. She's childish and cringy, showing little development in spite of the demands of the plot. Jae Mi frequently yells and beats on people like she's an idiot. Her treatment of her fiance, the 2ML (Eo), is also gross. Then again, the 2ML is at one point literally portrayed as a whimpering dog... maybe we're supposed to laugh at him? For the FL, the even worse part is her relationship with the ML, which gets to my problem with this series: I think it's celebrating an ugly case of codependency as a "beautiful story."
We're left with two tortured two souls in the leads, which I guess explains the ratings, but the writing doesn't take the characters past wallowing in their own excrement. Further, the whole story is artificially built around the ML -- the ML grabs a love interest who repeatedly overlooks his many flaws, and that leads to a love triangle trope but the ML is so flawed we need a weakling 2ML, plus the story needs supporting characters who cater so extensively to the leads (and the plot) that they might as well be NPCs in a video game. Maybe there is a point about our own selfishness here, which flew completely over my (and everyone else's) head, but absent that, the high point for me is imagining Alan Rickman's voice over and over again, yelling at Hae Joo, "I see you managed to get your shirt off."
Sorry, just not for me. The leads are just too toxic.
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This review may contain spoilers
A show full of angst, comedy, sadness, and romance
so i almost dropped this show because i felt it was annoying but as it went on it got more enjoyable.. until the last few episodes. i wouldn't say that they were bad, i just think that the scenes in like ep7-10 were kinda just filler and repetitiveness because we all knew what was gonna happen in the end. also, the pacing around this time got really wonky and that just makes me feel like that this show could've been shorter lol. i started to get sad/disappointed at the ending we got with hae jo and jae mi but i honestly appreciate this ending because any other ending would've been illogical. but yeah, i loved woo do hwan in this show and bloodhounds!!Was this review helpful to you?
I cried every single episode
Just when I thought it can't get any more tragic any more angstier, anymore tear jerking, it did. I was not prepared. It has it's comedic elements and it's serious ones, which somehow balance perfectly. This is Gold.I was told the ML is really just his face card but it's A LIE so I suggest you go in with no pre-conceived notions because this is one of the best dramas I have ever watched.
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A CHAOTIC YET EMOTIONAL AND HEARTFELT JOURNEY!
"Mr. Plankton" is a chaotic yet heartwarming and emotional drama that centers around Haejo, a carefree, rebellious, and lonely man who learns he has a brain tumor and only a few months to live. Faced with this reality, he decides to embark on an adventurous journey to find his real father. Joining him on this journey is his ex-girlfriend, Jaemi, a woman who dreams of starting a family but is confronted with premature menopause that threatens that dream. Although she is set to marry someone else, Haejo kidnaps her to join him on his last adventure.
This chaotic journey also includes Jaemi's soon-to-be husband, who is determined to bring her back. Together, these characters embark on a memorable journey filled with unexpected twists. The plot may seem chaotic at first, but the execution is brilliant. I loved how the story strikes the perfect balance between comedy and emotional scenes that truly tug at the heartstrings.
We then have a host of interesting side characters that add depth and charm to the story. The acting was undoubtedly amazing; I loved the natural portrayal of emotions from the characters, which allowed me to bond with them on a deeper level. The chemistry between the leads was absolutely captivating—they shared a familiarity that felt genuine, and their sensual tension, along with their playful bickers and banters, was delightful to watch. I didn't expect them to have this much chemistry, but it was lovely to see.
The drama also incorporated some dark comedy elements that lightened the mood, making the emotional moments even more impactful. The ending was sad yet beautifully written; it left me so emotionally attached that I felt my heart drop as the final scenes unfolded.
Do I recommend this? Absolutely! If you're looking for something beautifully written, refreshing, with interesting characters and amazing dynamics and chemistry, then "Mr. Plankton" is for you. Just be prepared for the ending. Overall, it was a beautiful watch that I will remember for a long time.
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Beautifully dobe
I loved everything about this drama. One of my favorites this year. Great chemistry with leads and supporting cast was fabulous! Best growth was between mother and son.Had everything I enjoy in a drama - comedy, empathy and sympathy for the struggles of the male and female leads. Supporting cast did a great job in helping us to flesh out the story. Only missing piece was John. I’m sure his backstory is interesting.
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Mr Lovable D*ckhead!
"Planktons are the very bottom of the food chain. The lowliest creatures in all the oceans."This quote will hunt me for a long time!
I don't want to talk about this drama for long, because this isn't just an ordinary show that you can watch, and move on, and I don't see the point to go into details and spoilers.
One thing I will say, these characters, especially the two leads, Hae Jo and Jae Mi are CRAZY, but they're not bad people, not toxic, not red flags, they're just kids hurt by the world, and their own family! They do some weird things, but you just can't blame them, because they don't know better, and all they want is LOVE!
You can only understand this, if you experienced something similar!
Mr. Plankton is not a fairy tale about a Princess and the Prince Charming, this is 100% about real people with a really messy life!
This is a well-written show, with fantastic actors, and a meaningful story! It's not perfect, I honestly think they could've skipped some unnecessary potlines, bot overall, this is an amazing show.
I'm sure, many people think the ending wasn't that good, but if you think about the fact that it was about Hae Jo's point of view, it's understandable why they finished the story the way they did.
It would be nice to see what happened to the others, but he can't see that, and that's why we didn't see it either!
This is a MUST for everyone who loves crazy, but real, and meaningful stories.
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A beautiful love story.
A wonderful, yet tragic storyline. I cried many times during this series. The way it ended was very tasteful and heartbreaking. I was honestly hoping it would have ended with her pregnant. The cast chosen was very well played by everyone. The lead role was very well played, so well I looked up other series he was in. I can't wait to see his future roles. Bravo to all the cast members. I love a good tear jerker here and there. Not all relationships end well, and I love when real life events are put into the factor.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Life is a bitch and then you become a plankton
This show is not your typical mainstream drama. It is a wild ride and has an indie feel. Some might say Tarantino-esque and I'd agree.At its core, it is still a k-drama but it is quite subversive at times. It can be irrelevant and touches on subjects that will resonate more with its local audience. This is a double-edged sword though. If you stumbled onto this on Netflix and expect a quirky road movie then you might come away feeling a bit confused.
To wit, the concept of lineage runs deep in Asian cultures. Your family and your clan anchors you and grants you identity. This began to wane in the 20th/21st century as the concept of nuclear family takes root. However, if you look, you will find its influence and reverence still evident today. Similarly, we are made aware that being a single parent is tough. Being an orphan is even tougher.
This drama brings all this into sharp focus via our 3 leads. The ML had a wonderful early childhood but was casted adrift due to an IVF mistake. The FL was abandoned at birth. The 2ML is the sole heir to a 500 year old clan. He is their only hope of continuing this bloodline. So much pressure.
On the surface, the three of them are getting on with their lives but the pain and scars run deep. Especially for the ML. He was floored when he finds out he has inherited a terminal condition. He embarks on a mad race to find his biological father. It was a crazy idea from the start but it is amplified 10 folds when he impulsively kidnapped the FL on her wedding day. Not that the FL was in a good place herself because she is hiding a dark secret. It was like an indie black comedy has a baby with a tragic grand opera!
The pacing was manic for the first half and the mood and tone swings like a weathervane in a storm. It is a blast to watch but there are times when you have to turn a blind eye to the plot holes and the odd pacing issues. Ask no questions . . .
The chaotic ride comes to an end at the end of the surreal castaway island episode. It became much more introspective and tropey. I suppose the drama can’t sustain the breakneck pace and wacky storylines forever. It is time to take stock. The show almost seems “normal” going forward. The sadness and despondency can be overwhelming at times.
The last episode was bittersweet. The last road trip was like a quasi-honeymoon. We laughed and swooned at their antics, but we know the end is nigh.
The show has many impactful scenes and subtle messages scattered throughout but at the moment of finality, it was more like a sigh. It was a blessed release. There are no miracle cure in this dramaverse, chingu. This show really knows how to hit us in the feels, again and again.
However, the story doesn't end there. The FL's journey continues. They made a pact that they will drift on if he found a 4 leaf clover. So much is unspoken. We can only wish her safe travels and hope that she will find solace somewhere, some day. Maybe her wish will come true and experience motherhood. I envy her children. Her love will know no bounds.
Coming back to here and now, we have fantastic acting all around. The 2ML was perfectly casted and the veteran actor put in his all. I was disappointed with the FL when she starred in Strong Girl Nam-soon. She has redeemed herself with this role. The ML is just so watchable and charismatic. A strong support cast and a wonderful OST rounded out the roster.
The show is a little rough around the edges and difficult to watch at times but then again, Queen of Tears was polished to an inch of its life. Give me a diamond in the rough any day. Peace.
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cool, soon-to-be classic
A gem. 10 episodes at 1hr ea. and the first really brilliant kdrama in the new international streaming formats. A black comedy.Woo Do Hwan was born to play this role: a tragi-comic loner with a big heart and a mordant sensibility. No other current leading drama actor could have carried off this character's combination of sensuality and innocence in the squalid universe in which he lives. In the Korean context his theory of the life of a drifter as an essential micro-organism in the life of society is fundamentally radical. As a runaway from the psychologically unbearable life of a 'good son' in the Korean upper middle class he also has the chameleonic-like ability to insert himself into varying social strata which is necessary to a conman, but he uses these abilities to help others (for big bucks of course).
An original script which combines generic expectations from kdrama (romedy and crime) and from the common international cinematic universe (road movies, riches to rags sociological commentary). These serve to maintain dramatic interest and emotional involvement while still streamlining out some of the more baroque parts of lengthier classic kdrama.
As a road movie, relationships are developed and memories are dissected by two characters at a time, in the intimate space of the two front seats. Theatrically, the setting in the fluid life of the underclass in a time of extreme social stratification, has been an eternally fascinating subject, whether in the cinema of mid-century US and Europe or in 21st century Korean films and drama.
The farce-like stock characters of kdrama (and some less common ones) set up expectations in the viewer which are quietly subverted as their pasts and present are slowly revealed. And some of my favourite stock memes still remain: a funny love triangle, an end-episodes reintegration of the small band and bonds of the main characters, standard and wickedly funny gang involvement, fields of onggi and often a vaguely familiar mysterious character, here John Na, a sunglass-cool bodyguard.
In fact the development of the character arcs is the heart of the drama so I have to stop here to avoid spoilers. GO RIGHT NOW TO THE SHOWPAGE and start watching with a fresh and happy mind open to this wonderful tear-jerker of a romedy-action-road drama.
A Netflix original show, with the composer Kim Taesong. Writer -- Jo Young.
simultaneously posted on viki
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Unique story, perfect to binge watch!
the first 5 eps of the show are a mixbag of comedy, romance & a hell lot of emotions.I just wasn't able to connect with that later half of the show.
overall this was a nice one. This one's not usually the type of kdramas we see occassionally. Overall it was fun & a lot of laughter.
The 3 main leads were perfect for their roles.
The ML was handsome, hot, masculine, sexy yet sweet, kind, loving & caring the entire show.
The English osts are so so good!!
idk what went wrong with the later half of the show but overall it's a great watch
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