Fun to watch
I find this series adorable, so much fun to watch. Kudos to the writers the silliness along with the humor are a perfect fit for this plot. After finishing the latest episode, I find myself anxiously awaiting the new one. The acting is superb and for the most part they have created believable characters. After watching a few episodes, you find yourself rooting for some of the characters. The overall acting, writing, directing and storyline make it a worthwhile watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Potatoes and Plot Holes
The Potato Lab starts with a promising premise—M&A executive So Baek Ho (Kang Tae Oh) is sent to revamp a struggling potato research center, where he clashes with passionate researcher Kim Mi Gyeong (Lee Sun Bin). It sounds like a setup for quirky fun, right? Sadly, the drama just doesn’t deliver.The story feels undercooked, lacking the depth or charm to make it memorable. The leads never quite click—when they’re not arguing, their dialogue feels awkward and overly sentimental, which doesn’t match their supposedly mature characters. The supporting cast? Mostly loud, one-note, and unnecessary to the plot. For a show about potatoes, it’s disappointing how little comfort or heart it offers.
That said, Lee Sun Bin and Kang Tae Oh give solid performances, doing their best to bring life to a flat script. Unfortunately, even their talent isn’t enough to save this drama from feeling bland.
If you’re craving a lighthearted rom-com, this one might leave you unsatisfied. But if curiosity gets the better of you, give it a try—and maybe grab some fries to make up for the lack of flavor.
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BIG SIGH
At the start this seemed like a fun show and first 6 or 7 episodes are pretty nice. The last about 3 or 4 episodes made me dislike almost everyone in the show.The acting in this is uhm, decent. Idk the first half the characters seemed ok, but sometimes there is so much over the top performances, i am not sure if its just the direction or the acting. Probably mostly the direction, looking at the way the show turned out.
The show didnt know when to be serious and when to be funny... or which one it really wanted to be.
Spoilers ahead.
The show pretty much starts with the ML's company taking over the FL's company, he is then assigned to the lab she works at and fires her. After the firing they are into each other, which is already a bit of an issue as a start. But ok, i can see her getting over being fired cause of budget cuts and she technically is not qualified to be in the lab. But the ML acts so arrogant, like he basically learns "everything" he needs about potatos in what is not more than a few weeks and shuts down almost any suggestions or complaints from the lab RESEARCHERS. The FL over the course of the show becomes more and more of a doormat. She forgives her ex, who cheated on her and while being engaged and then broke up with her by handing her a wedding invitation with the company owners daughter. She also consoles him a few times. And i know forgiving him is not really bad, but combining with everything else, its just so annoying. She unknowingly celebrates with the her exes ex and then later quietly listens to her about how they met without telling her anything. And then she finds out that her leaving her previous job was orchestrated by the ML. And this is a big one for me, even if he didnt do this to her, if he did it to another random employee, he is still a bad person for it. And she basically forgives him without any real effort, apart from meddling from the potato lab employees. So basically when her ex was about to marry the company owners daughter, one of the family wanted the FL gone, so she asked the ML to handle it. His plan was to drive her out without having to fire her, so he reasigned her to completely new department, which would imply it was a punishment for something, so she would be ostracized and quit. She then endured for weeks but eventually quit. Which btw, her ex was aware of all of this . And then they resolve this in one episode, but not with anything meaningful, the whole episode is spent on nonsense. Apart from her best friend telling her that she knew about her ex cheating and planning a wedding with someone else months before they broke up. She gets forgiven imediately.
The whole revelation of the past really feel so pointless, there was no real consequence to it, the episode was mostly spent joking. Him being the partial cause of her terrible past and her friend knowing about the cheating, didnt add anything of value apart from making me dislike them.
Also the company daughter, that married FL's ex, was at first portrayed sort of as a naive girl that sort of was used by the ex, but then she reveals she fully knew he was dating someone and told him to stay with her and she didnt regret anything and would do it again. Granted she doesnt know it was the FL, i dont think, but still a terrible thing.
So in the end none of the characters ended up likeable apart from maybe the FL's brother, though he is kinda annoying from the start, but still ended up better than the rest.
Everything got magically solved by coincidences in the end or just handwaved away. Last 3 episodes were really just a bunch of padding to get to 12 episodes IMO. Like the 10th episode was just some company "camping" used to delay the big reveal. Which btw, the whole time camping the ML now knew what he did to FL but was avoiding telling her.
The show didnt know when to be serious and when to be funny... or which one it really wanted to be.
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Angry
I stuck with this show, even though it was corny and slapstick. I do like the actors, and I hoped the main FL would finally find happiness. But after this last episode, (10) I am angry with the writers. Now that The FL has been so horribly betrayed again, I hope they write her in a backbone, and she sues the arses off the company, and kicks the director to the curb, but only after having all in the company and her ex fiance and especially the director bastard, because he is a cold bastard, gets their full desserts. She should quit now, and get a lawyer. If they write them getting back together again, or continue to make her the sheep, letting others walk over her, I will never watch anything written by them again. Disgusting.Was this review helpful to you?
Very happy to see Kang Tae Oh on screen again. I discovered Lee Sun-Bin, whom I really liked, and who I'm now going to follow a little more closely (I'll certainly be watching Team Bulldog: Off Duty investigation). I also discovered Hyun Seung Shin, a good actor, I hope to see him featured more in other dramas!!!!
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Scientist girl vs. CEO himbo + magpie attacks = horny potato chaos with zero nutritional value. 7/10
7.5/10: A Rom-Com Rooted in Chaos and Charm🥔 THE GOOD:
- Lee Sun-bin’s fiery portrayal of Kim Mi-kyung – A passionate potato researcher whose temper is as explosive as her love for tubers.
-Kang Tae-oh’s So Baek-ho – A corporate stoic turned reluctant farmhand, whose journey from boardroom to potato field is both hilarious and endearing.
-Physical comedy – From magpie attacks to drunken escapades, the slapstick elements are executed with impeccable timing.
-Scenic cinematography – The rural setting provides a picturesque backdrop that enhances the storytelling.
⚠️ THE "ALMOST, BUT..." MOMENTS:
-Predictable plotlines – While charming, the series doesn't stray far from typical K-drama tropes.
-Underutilized supporting characters – Some side stories feel underdeveloped, leaving viewers wanting more depth.
💋 STANDOUT SCENES:
-The magpie assault – A bird attack orchestrated by Mi-kyung adds a layer of absurdity that's hard to forget.
-Drunken confessions – A tipsy Baek-ho reveals a softer side, leading to unexpected romantic tension.
🎯 VERDICT:
"The Potato Lab" delivers a hearty mix of humor and heart, rooted in classic rom-com soil. While it doesn't revolutionize the genre, its charm lies in its execution and the chemistry between leads.
Watch if: You're craving a lighthearted escape with endearing characters and rural charm.
Skip if: You're seeking groundbreaking narratives or complex character arcs.
Best paired with: A cozy blanket, some comfort food, and a willingness to embrace the whimsical.
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I also feel like the romance between the brother and friend was better than the one between the main characters, which was disappointing.
The actors did an amazing job, not many complaints about the acting. Some of the side characters seemed awkward to me, but that was due to the writing and not so much the actors.
It was hard to finish this drama, and I do not think it has a good rewatch value.
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Added to the list of "My Favorite Watch"
Some shows leave you devastated because they are too short!“The Potato Lab” was one such show for me; the quirky friendships, office buddies, cold-hearted male lead turning into a softie and the very violent female lead who is actually too kindhearted for her own good. This show had everything that I loved. At the center of this potboiler was the self-sufficient Kim Mi Jyung, she is a hardworking researcher, almost like a “Jill of all Trades”; the potato lab won’t work without her. Although she was never trained to be a researcher, her dedication towards breeding new potato varieties will win your heart; because it isn’t easy for someone from a non-science background to become a researcher. Our male lead, So Baek Ho is the perfect anarchist. He is blunt, only concerned with his own business and only speaks numbers; that is until his world collides with Mi Kyung’s, and he discovers a new neighborhood where the villagers are warmhearted and caring. The narrative literally hinges on their odd dynamics, Mi Kyung’s presence softens Baek Ho’s cold heart and his strength makes her braver. A perfect balance indeed!
Read the complete article here-
https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/04/08/the-potato-lab-series-review/#more-1698
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I liked The Potato Lab, but it wasn't exactly what I expected.
When it was first announced, the idea sounded like a lot of fun — a drama centered around a potato research lab? I'd never heard of anything like that, so I imagined it would be a quirky rom-com.In reality, it leans much more toward comedy than romance. While it features some genuinely romantic and charming moments, it definitely has a stronger comedic edge than I anticipated.
Lee Sun-bin shines as Kim Mi-kyung, the chaotic yet lovable force who essentially drives the series. Her energy keeps the story moving and makes even the most absurd scenes feel natural.
Kang Tae-oh portrays So Baek-ho, a rigid and overly serious character who tries to control everything — and everyone — around him. I'm a big fan of Kang Tae-oh, but in this case, I felt his character lacked deeper development.
I would have loved to see more backstory: how So Baek-ho became friends with Park Gi-se, and how and why he ended up as the director of Wonhan Sales' Strategic Planning Department. Those details could have added more depth to both the story and its characters.
Overall, The Potato Lab is a lighthearted and entertaining series — just don't go in expecting a full-blown romantic comedy.
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The yelling lab
Hard working hot headed female lead meets cold as Ice male lead this could have given us lots and lots of bickering fun but all I got was aworn out mute button and a feeling of why?The most interesting character in this is the rich ex wife. the rest have some moments here and there but all the good is overshadowed by the over the top supposedly comedy that had me roling my eyes so many times I should be thankful I can still use them.
Why did I keep watching it, honestly I am not sure.... probably the sweet and the cold between the yelling and this hope of getting to watch something better. Also I do love potatoes so I had to support the cause.
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Like a pie
Summary: Hilarious is an understatement! A rarity these days, The Potato Lab is a true romcom in my book. The show doesn't skimp on either the romance or comedy; in fact, they practically throw it in your face like a pie and smoosh it in there really good. By the fourth episode, I was rolling at the ridiculous situations and eccentric characters. Unfortunately, Netflix has held hostage the rest of the episodes, for some reason. So this is an incomplete review.Details to come…
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Stupid....couldn't watch it to the end
This might be enjoyable for some, but for me it was just too full of over-acting, nonsense behavior, and adults behaving like juveniles. It would have been more realistic if a bunch of middle school and high school-aged kids handled all the roles. Wait.....they might be too mature. The FL's character borders on psychotic and disturbing while showing us every emotion under the sun from anger to laziness to deviousness in a 24 hour period, 7 days a week. But.....this is somehow appealing to the ML???? Yea......right. I barely made it through 8 episodes. Usually this is where I will begin to speed watch my way through to the end. But, I dislike these characters so much, I'm dropping it without seeing the end, because I really don't care what happens to them.Was this review helpful to you?
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