Mr. Plankton

So funny, but my tears are falling

I usually wouldn't want to watch a tragic drama like this, but after seeing a clip of it, I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I watched it — it was truly the right decision.

It all starts with the very quirky character names, like Hae Jo, which in Korean sometimes sounds like a word for asking for help. Then there's Jae Mi, which sounds like the word for "funny" in Korean, Eo Heung, which sounds like the growl of a tiger, and the comedic highlight is in the name John Na.

This drama really showcases both the romantic comedy and dark comedy genres, making you shake your head as you watch. The most impressive part for me is that I could easily enjoy the presence of all the characters. There really are no "useless characters" in this drama, as each one has solidified their existence with a very unique personality.

It's an odd kind of love triangle, but it gets resolved in a satisfying way. And once again, Oh Jung Se is in a great drama. His character reminds me of Sang Tae (maybe because the writer is the same), but a wiser version (when he's not being a fool in love), similar to his role in Revenant.

I’ve never really connected with Woo Do Hwan’s dramas, but in this one, I was completely mesmerized by him. ((Even though I’m sure Hae Jo hardly ever showers, lol)). Hae Jo’s character really hits that frustration point for me. I thought, how could the writer torture a character this much? Of all the dramas I’ve watched, I feel like Hae Jo is the most unfortunate character (previously, it was Gu Sanyeong in Revenant).

But I think maybe Hae Jo is just someone who easily finds joy... (well, the smell of fried chicken is enough to make him follow a stranger). Even at the end, he feels like his life is more than enough. He says that the last moments of his life were really cool and fun. Even though he wishes he could live longer... well... sigh.

Maybe I also feel that Hae Jo’s life up until now is like a bonus, because if he had gone with his mother to see the stars back then, he probably would have died with her.

I’ve never doubted Lee Yoo Mi’s acting. The first time I saw her in a web drama, she already stood out compared to other actresses in web dramas. In this drama, her smile is so sweet, completely different from her role in All of Us Are Dead (ugh). She’s the cute and naive one — a perfect description for her character, Jo Jae Mi.

Unlike Hae Jo, who is so avoidant with everyone, probably because he’s afraid of being hurt again, Jae Mi is someone who never gives up, has no fear, and is naive. I feel like the word "give up" doesn’t exist in her vocabulary. She’s such a mentally strong character.

With all the bad luck she’s had, including early menopause, I’d say the writer was really too harsh on her, giving her a condition like that when all she wants is a family. But even so, she still manages to smile through it all. Her smile isn’t to hide sadness, but to express sincere and true happiness.

Jae Mi seems to say, "Okay, let’s try another way!"

What happens between Hae Jo and Jae Mi is definitely unfair to Eo Heung. But as a viewer, I also support them getting back together. Their relationship is so funny, but why is the writer so cruel to them? Eo Heung’s love for Jae Mi is truly sincere.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Kim Min Suk in a K-drama. Even though his character here is somewhat similar to his roles in other dramas, this type of character is definitely the one that suits him best. His relationship with Hae Jo is one of love and hate. He always insults Hae Jo, but he’s the kind of person who would risk his life to help him.

Lee El always nails the role of a cool and quirky woman. Bong Suk really is a turning point for Hae Jo. Hae Jo would probably be dead or even become a criminal if he hadn’t met Bong Suk. Regardless of her job, Bong Suk truly sees Hae Jo as her child. The love from someone with no blood relation is immeasurable. This is so different from Jae Mi’s biological mother, who abandoned her for the second time.

I was initially suspicious of Hae Jo’s real mother, thinking she would immediately tell her husband and have Hae Jo abandoned. But it turns out she hid it (though stressed) and protected Hae Jo so that he wouldn’t be abandoned by his father, who at that time was overly concerned with his image. Even in the end, she still wanted to be with Hae Jo, which is why she invited him to go with her. Her position as a mother was really complicated, although the clinic is the one most at fault! How could they mix it up? — so stupid, ugh!

I like the resolution of this drama because the search for Hae Jo’s biological father only reaches a third party. So, the duration of the drama wasn’t wasted just searching for people. I think it’s because that’s not what’s really important. In the end, Hae Jo just wanted to meet his father again, no matter what, because his happiest memories were with that father — not his biological father, who only passed on misfortune to him.

I also like the open ending that doesn’t tell us whether Hae Jo truly dies at that moment or if he just faints like before. I think that’s the perfect ending. Whatever happens after that, the important thing is that Hae Jo’s bad memories have been replaced with beautiful ones.

Hae Jo is with the people he loves, and who love him back, in the end. This drama kind of shows that the saying "blood is thicker than water" isn’t always true.

As someone who’s always skeptical about Netflix originals (since some have been disappointing), I can confidently say that this is the best Netflix original drama I’ve ever watched in terms of plot and execution. The visuals and sound quality are top-notch (a trademark of Netflix). The story is quirky in a typical Netflix way, but it doesn’t make you furrow your brows. Instead, it makes you laugh, cry, and get angry. The emotional side of the story really hits, even with such a quirky plot.

The actors and actresses in this drama have amazing acting skills. Literally, every character is well-played. The plot is fun but not light, diving into different types of families, parents, and human nature.

This drama is both emotional and enjoyable to watch, to the point where I just watched it without taking the time to judge. I was completely immersed in the plot and emotions. Among the many great dramas that aired this year, I can confidently say that this is the best drama I’ve watched in 2024.

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K-Trauma of the Year 2024 goes to...

What a ride this drama took me on. *Mr. Plankton* gave me so much comfort, even though the ending was sad and inevitable. It’s not just about the love that Hae Jo and Joo Jae Mi share—it’s about the things that make life worth living.

The way it talks about life and death hit me hard. Life is so short, and death can come when we least expect it, so we need to live fully. Even if we feel lost or like we’re just drifting, it’s okay. There’s still value in living and trying to find our way.

This drama really stayed with me. It made me realize how important it is to make something out of life, no matter how small or insignificant we might feel. It was such a touching reminder to live, even when things seem uncertain or tough.

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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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chefs kiss

this drama is so good that i've already rewatched it twice. i don't even know where to begin on how good it is.
the plot line was executed so well. the acting was so beautiful, especially from woo dohwan and his enticing eyes. the sad scenes with the OST was so beautiful as well, and made everything 10x sadder.
although haejo's death is revealed within the first episode, it definitely still hits you very hard at the end, especially the "i want to live."
everything about this drama was just amazing and very thorough, and although there was only 10 episodes, it didn't feel rushed and felt very completed.
i would 100% recommend this if you love tearjerkers

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masterpiece.

i was hesitant to start this drama, but im so glad i gave it a chance. its truly a masterpiece and i would have regretted not watching this.
the plot is unusual; kidnapping your ex from her wedding isnt exactly normal but did i like it?... yes... the storyline keeps you on your toes.

i initially watched this for woo do hwan, and he exceeded every singleeee one of my expectations. his performance here is one of his best. he conveyed his emotions so genuinely that i found myself crying SO many times. its no surprise this was created by the same writer behind its okay to not be okay, my alltime favorite drama. knowing they shared the same writers made me hit play right away.

every detail in this drama felt intentional and meaningful. a lot of people are mad about the ending and saying its sad but imo its bittersweet, which only adds to the emotional weight of the story. while part of me hoped for a happy ending, i appreciate the sadness, it made the drama even more impactful. i felt so attached to the characters because of the backstory we get to learn.
with all the actors delivering mature performances, avoiding the same old tropes of immaturity. that quality sets it apart. dare i say this is one of the best dramas of 2024.

ill definitely be recommending this drama to all my friends, if you haven’t seen it yet, i hope this review convinces you to watch. you wont regret it!

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so worth it

will i ever be okay again? i fear i will not.
genuinely went into this drama expecting it to be a darkish sad drama but goddamn 😭😭
honestly, at first i didn't think Mr. Plankton would be a good drama but since i cannot not binge watch fully released dramas, i decided to do the same with this one. i got addicted so quick and turns out this will be one of my favourites of all times. i fully recommend this, it's so so worth it PLUS the casting is insane.
i love everything about this drama but hell i didn't expect this amount of pain...
never getting over this

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I LOVEEE THIS KDRAMA

I LOVEEE THIS KDRAMA SOOO MUCH BUT WTF WAS THAT ENDING! I KNOW WE GOT A FORESHADOWING BUT STILLLLL WHAT THE ACTUAL F*CKKKK I CRIED SOOOOOOO MUCH!!! I LOVED THE CASTNG, STORY, THE FUNNY MOMENTS AND THE SAD MOMENTS, I FELL IN LOVE WITH EVERYONE OF THEM IN ONLY 10 EPISODES. I WISHHHH IT WERE LONGER, AT LEAST 16 EPISODES LIKE USUAL AND I WISHH THEY GOT A HAPPY ENDING TOGETHER LIKE HOW WAS HE SO UNLUCKY. HE GOT A F*CKING FORE LEAF CLOVER JUST BEFORE HE DIED HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GET SOME KIND OF LUCK BUT NO HE DIDNT, THE ONLY LUCKY THING WAS THAT HE GOT TO DIE HOW HE WANTED TO AND NOT JUST THE SKY BUT ALSO SAW THE WONAN HE LOVED. HE LITERALLY SMILEDDDDD WHILE HE WAS DYING WTFFFFF. IM STILL CRYING AND FEEL LIKE IT WONT BE ENDING SOON IM JUST AMAIZED OF HOW GOOD THIS KDRAMA WAS IN ONLY 10 EPISODES AND I FEEL LIKE I ACTUALLY WONT BE ABLE TO MOVE ON.

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