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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A case study on stockholm syndrome?
You know those offbeat movies about a group of misfits who set out to go on an adventure for the last time that essentially serves as a journey to self discovery and found family. The characters are tragic but the story is wacky and comedic and somehow it works… well this one tries but it doesn’t quite land?
For one the characters are very unlikeable. The entire premise is essentially the ml dragging along the fl halfway across the country without her consent but it’s played off as comedy and we’re supposed to swoon at the scenes of him taking her back to his car after her failed attempt at getting away from him and why you ask? well it’s woo dohwan and he’s carrying her bridal style… DUH
I mean yea, it’s not like they don’t know each other, they’re exes who we’re supposed to believe belong together you know “the one that got away” in eachother’s lives, and with the addition of Jaemi being in the situation she’s in with her soon to be in-laws, it all alludes to her needing to be rescued from the predicament she’s in. However, this whole thing was so poorly written and executed it genuinely makes me itch.
The ml may have a tragic backstory and on his way to meet an even more tragic fate but any ounce of sympathy you have for him goes out the window seeing how he behaves. I’m sorry but he’s literally a creep who doesn’t understand consent and personal boundaries and i’m supposed to root for him? The fl is also obnoxious and tactless, idk nothing she does makes sense and she’s just not likeable. One of her worst scenes is when she took the Haejo out of the hospital while he’s on his death bed with absolutely no plan and was literally handling him like a ragdoll dropping him on his head and letting him freeze out in the cold like HELLO?!!?!:):? like i may not be the biggest haejo fan but please act like someone with decorum and leave the sick man in the hospital idgaf what you think his last days on earth should be like! That was such a cruel and unnerving scene to me.
And the sl, well… he is definitely not the typical second lead i will give him that but maybe that’s the problem. Having to sit through him acting like a man child because he grew up with the most overbearing mother in the world who sheltered him all his life was painful enough for me. It’s like i’m already in a bad mood with the two main leads and he also decides to force himself into the equation and now im in an even worse mood!
The other supporting roles… Not particularly fond of the weird incestous relationship Haejo had with the character played by lee el (don’t remember her name), i don’t have to say any more if you’ve seen it you know what i mean, The only slightly likable character in this is haejo’s helper (?) he’s funny and not a full on snitch so shout out to him i guess… but everyone else? yea
No one to root for, just watching a train wreck full of annoying characters for 10 episodes straight (thank god it’s only 10). The heart-wrenching elements of a tragic love story is only applicable if the characters are relatable and have likable qualities. I’m sorry but no tears were shed watching this mess. The only scene that was remotely moving throughout those dry as a sahara dessert 10 hours of my life was when Haejo manages to get in a taxi during one of his sickness episodes and we’re made to think he’s on his way to find another man he believes to be his biological father but it turns out, he went to his childhood home to see the father that raised him… the only father he knew. Now that touched my heart and the realization that his father never wanted to abandon him and was waiting for him all along was heartwarming. I can’t lie and say i wasn’t moved to tears seeing that emotional exchange but in true Mr Plankton fashion, a heartfelt moment like this doesn’t last long without getting interrupted by some quirky moment so we see the fl appear on a forklift outside his window ready to rescue rapunzel and next thing you know they set out to go on yet another one of their silly lil adventures for whatever reason… to make matters worse he leaves without telling his dad even though they just got reunited. He disappeared leaving a vague note without single goodbye even though it’s possible that he’s never seeing him again… just bizarre!
I’ve seen people raving about the main couple’s chemistry and if you are on any social media platform and you follow different kdrama accounts your fyp has definitely been terrorized by edits of these two but i’m here to say that the romance was the weakest plot point of this drama and that’s saying a lot because everything else is also bad. Maybe if they focused on their individual journey of self discovery and they eventually came to find eachother that would feel more natural and organic but this was no it! Not once did i feel that their love was genuine it all just felt so performative… like the director tried to create this whirlwind romance but it was just meh. Even the last scene where he dies in her arms didn’t evoke any emotions as it should. The scenery and the way it played out had potential, they’re in the middle of nowhere playing in the snow, they decide to look for a 4 leaf clover and as they’re separated Haejo passes out and is now bleeding from his nose as he’s laying on the snow by himself. It’s tragic, it’s supposed to evoke this deep sadness from the audience but somehow… it doesn’t, at least not for me. It gets worse when Jaemi sees him laying there from what seems like a km away and she runs at him while yelling out every profanity in the book and shedding all her clothes… like ok? it just felt so try hardish and performative. That’s how every minute of this drama felt like it’s trying so hard to convince its audience that it’s so different, not like the other girls not like the other kdramas… we get it 🙄
also California Dreamin will never be a Mr Plankton song when Chunking Express(1994) made the best use of it! They just played it randomly in scenes it doesn’t even fit or used it as the outro in this drama BOO TOMATOES
Anyways, call me a hater but i will be chuckling any time i see praise for this drama bc i know woo dohwan hasn’t done anything for me since after save me so thirst watch delirium is not clouding my judgment like the rest of yall THANK GOD!
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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?
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?
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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Ktrauma In This Year...
Ktrauma in this year. However, this kdrama is very good to watch and very enjoyable.The story, comedy, love, sadness, trauma, wounds in this Kdrama are written and shown very well, as well as the acting of Woo Do Hwan and Lee You Mi which is so good, detailed, looks real, and until I feel the emotions and feelings. Woo Do Hwan and Lee You Mi acting is very good and feels very real, the comedy is so fitting and not too cheesy, the presentation is entertaining and fun, and the love story is so sweet and tragic is the attraction of this kdrama. so my rating is 9/10. I think the 9/10 rating that I gave to this kdrama is because this kdrama is very good and worth it to watching!
This Kdrama is recommended for those who want to laugh very hard and then cry very hard. I'm sure, people will continue to discuss this kdrama because of the story and ending that so... curious about the ending? so watch it first and you will know how the ending is! don't worry! this kdrama will have a happy ending. very highly recommended to watch! You have to watch it!
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My 2nd best kdrama in 2024.
This drama will hit you hard with surges of emotions and will actually give you back a lot more than just entertainment.This definitely one of the best kdrama I have ever watched, it got me out of bordem.
Heart warming and sad, both at the same time. Great acting as well. Highly recommended .
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The vacation is about to end
This drama was a surprisingly beautiful journey.I must admit I have a lot of interest in Woo Do Hwan... However, I am seeing an totally different person in here. We like an actor who tries different roles !
The male lead is reckless, selfish, immature and with separation anxiety/abandonment issues which can turn him into quite the assbutt. (trying to be polite)
I think that what I appreciated the most was the fact he is far from being perfect and they are not trying to make him perfect in our eyes. They are trying to make us empathize and the last scene forces us to finally see things from his point of view.
Anyway, in my opinion it is a must watch if you like road trips and crying.
PS : California dreamin' had a special place in my heart before, now i'm not even sure i have a heart.
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