The Potato Lab

Farm romcom

I had high expectations for this show and although the first few episodes were entertaining and funny, it got boring really fast. i ended up lowkey forgetting i started this show and stopped watching it for like 2 months.

it had potential but it was so hard to get through especially the last 2 episodes. i feel like this show would’ve done a lot better if it released all episodes at once instead of making people wait for a new episode release.

i also didn’t really like the FL and her acting in this particular kdrama. this was my first time seeing her act so i didn’t know what to expect but most of the time i found her irritating and the whole quirky not like other girls persona doesn’t really fit her.

however i liked the chemistry between the main couple, they were very cute and delivered good scenes together, as well as the side couple! i lowkey liked the brother and the best friend more than the main one but regardless both couples were cute.

one thing that also irked me a lot was the product placements and how they would dedicate a whole ass scene to the ad. it didn’t even feel like i was watching a show??? im talking about that gummy jelly thing they were promoting like ??? the entire scene was just dedicated to them eating that shit for promotion it was so irritating. but not only that like every product placement scene was so obvious and it would take me out of the show completely… there’s some shows that incorporate product placements really well and make it go unnoticeable so its definitely possible for product placements to be good!

anyway i liked the OST, it was very cute. a lot of the times it felt like characters were trying to be overly quirky and it kinda annoyed me- even ML’s cliche broody CEO personality pissed me off 😭 but yeah the only complaint i really have is how the characters were written- otherwise it had its funny moments and i liked the dynamic between the FL and her best friend!

i don’t know if i would really recommend it because its actually nothing special but it would maybe be a good watch if you get to watch all episodes at once.

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Bad concept... Great execution

See, I was excited for this. In fact, I was rooting for this to be one of the greatest Kdramas of 2025. 2025 has had a very promising lineup of kdramas and this one's plot sounded very unique. However, I just could not be bothered to follow up on every episode. In fact, it took me almost a month to finish the Kdrama. We had a good FL, a very cute ML, but sometimes, it felt like everyone was losing the plot. I would be watching and then tell myself: Do the writers even know what they are currently doing? Some things were said but not shown, creating a few plot holes. Additionally, the firing plot... yeah miss me with that BS thank you so much. The couple itself and their chemistry was amazing, but idk not my cup of tea

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Masochist male lead's visuals don't counter balance female lead character's caustic personality.

The male lead is So very attractive, & yet the female lead is SO very unpleasant. I t's absurd that the male lead falls for her. She has a sad back story but mistreats everyone, never evolving into anything remotely kind or nice. I found myself actually not want the leads to have a love connection. It says alot about how repulsive I find the female lead when rather than watch this, I find myself browsing for dramas that aren't even the genres I like ! The female lead's BFF is hyper focused on intimate things & everything that comes out of her mouth is crude. The humor falls flat and the warm fuzzies get trampled on . I want to like this & I tried, but I think, at 9 episodes I can honestly say that I've given it enough time to win me over.
Whatever is endearing about this is just vapor -exhale & it's gone.

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Cast & First Impressions
The casting in The Potato Lab is top-notch. The actors deliver strong performances, making the show engaging from the very first episode. The beginning, in particular, was amazing—it set up an intriguing premise, and I was excited to see where the story would go.

Plot & Midway Developments
However, by the end of Episode 10, I was completely baffled. What the heck just happened? The way the drama framed the characters felt incredibly one-sided, especially regarding the male lead (ML).

Six years ago, whatever happened to the female lead (FL) was because of her cheating ex-boyfriend, Park Ke Se. ML, at the time, was just an ordinary HR employee following company orders. He wasn’t some mastermind or villain—he was simply doing his job, focused on his career. Yet, somehow, he’s the one feeling deep guilt about what happened, while Park Ke Se, the actual cheater, feels no remorse at all?

To make things worse, FL shows understanding and empathy for her cheating ex while guilt-tripping ML. How does that make any sense? The show makes ML carry all the blame while excusing FL's actions, which feels completely unfair.

FL’s Dishonesty & ML’s Passive Nature
Another frustrating issue is how FL keeps meeting her ex behind ML’s back and actively hides the truth from him. Yet, no one questions this! The drama doesn’t even frame it as a problem.

ML, instead of demanding answers, just takes everything silently—as if the writers wanted a doormat ML who wouldn’t push back. Why is FL allowed to deceive him without any consequences? Why is ML not questioning her actions? If the roles were reversed, would the show be so forgiving toward a lying ML?

The Real Villain: Park Ke Se
Let’s be clear—the real person responsible for what happened six years ago is Park Ke Se. He cheated on FL, caused her downfall, and then scammed another woman into marriage for money. Yet, the drama barely holds him accountable. Instead, it focuses all the blame on ML, who was just a worker following orders.

How does that make sense? The company only acted because Park Ke Se was involved with FL and the heir of the company—meaning the blame should be on Park Ke Se, not ML. Yet, the show lets him walk free without guilt while ML is stuck apologizing for things beyond his control.

Final Thoughts
Despite its strong start, The Potato Lab falls apart due to biased storytelling. It unfairly frames ML as guilty while excusing FL’s actions, no matter how deceitful she is. Meanwhile, Park Ke Se, the real villain, gets away with everything.

It’s frustrating to watch an ML who is guilt-ridden over something he had no control over, while FL is allowed to lie, meet her ex behind ML’s back, and deceive him—all without consequences. The drama seems to push the idea that women can do whatever they want and still blame others, while men just have to accept it.

If you enjoy a strong start and great performances, you might still like this drama. But if character accountability matters to you, The Potato Lab will leave you frustrated.

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Where are the potatoes? The lab?

1 hour with 15 minutes is not needed.
Just nonsense of nothing.

Tried to see what this story was about because
I like dramas like this with farms and whatnot.
Sadly, I'm just too annoyed with fl behavior for a 36 year old. The woman keeps complaining and she got no respect for her new boss.

ML is there to help make the lab better.. but how?
I stopped paying attention to the plot. I start it.. fall asleep. Then wake up at the last 5 minutes of a 1 hour and 15 min drama lol.
I don't need to rewind it because it's not worth it. Nothing happens anyways.

The last straw for me when everyone was gushing about their relationship. Too annoying and bland.

I can't go on torturing myself.

Plus, I don't care if the leads get together.
When I don't care. I drop the drama.

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basic

This drama was easily one of the most basic K-dramas I've come across. The comedy felt very average—I didn’t laugh even once—and the acting, particularly from the female lead, often came off as cringeworthy. The male lead, however, was more bearable; I’ve liked him in other dramas, so I was actually excited to see him in this one.

As for the plot—well, there wasn’t much of one. The story felt flat and uneventful, and overall, the show was pretty boring. That said, I still found it oddly enjoyable as background noise while getting ready or doing other things. It didn’t require much attention, which in a way, worked in its favor.

Thankfully, the drama was only 12 episodes instead of the usual 16. If they had tried to stretch it out any longer, it definitely would have been a disaster.

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Red flags and emotional imature

I just gave it a try. Dropped after 6 episodes and 15 min form the 7th. The drama has a cute second funny and attractive couple.

The theme is boring, ML and FL are super Red flags, imature and without emotional basics. Again, a drama with adults that are behaving like adolescents. I don't understand the screenwriter how mature is she, what is the purpose of this drama, how can an actor can play this?!?! They did not heart about growing up and make good example, inteligent, magnetic, visionary dramas?

What is wrong with kdramas in the last years and the examples of couples and lack of maturity... I wonder really what is a real behaviour in korea like adults?!?!

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The Spring Romcom We Needed

Initial Review on 3/30/25. (Will post concluding thoughts after finale):

I came into this show with low expectations. The reviews have been unfavorable here on MDL. To be honest, I started it expecting to drop it.

What I’ve found instead is an absolutely charming romcom. It’s a gem so far! I can’t understand its 7.9 rating right now. In my opinion… The humor is spot on, the chemistry with the leads is spot on, the storyline is spot on. “The Potato Lab” manages to dance around romcom tropes while bringing enough newness to the table that I’m fully engaged. The cast is lovable and quirky, and I’m looking forward to each episode. So far, it hasn’t dragged in this first half. I am hoping to see this quality continue moving forward in the second half.

Fingers crossed.

Final Thoughts (4/9/25);

IGNORE THE HATERS ON THIS ONE. It’s a gem. It is a romcom that quite simply romcoms. It was a great watch. I had an absolute blast. From stellar acting from our leads to almost crying literally tears to going back to laughing my head off like the beginning of the show—the second half serves up a solid solid show.

The character development of our leads was especially impressive to me. They are flawed but both of them learned to work on themselves in order to be together. Even when things fall apart, they handle it within about one episode, and I was honestly shocked by how well it was handled. It reminded me of what we were given earlier this year in “Love Scout”—heck yes for communication.

Give this a watch. It was so so fun and romantic too.

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wasn't for me

Korean romcoms have helped win me over to the genre, but unfortunately this one was just not my thing. Kang Tae Oh is a very talented actor, but we only got a small taste of that in Potato Lab, because the focus seemed to be on his looks, the story was shallow, and his character development weak. I look forward to seeing him in something else soon. There were many side characters played by actors/actresses who are my favorites, but the overacting and ridiculous scenarios got to me. It was just too goofy and too over-the-top, with plot holes thrown in. I hope to see Lee Sun Bin in another role, too, because I just could't stand Mi Kyeong, the constant tantrums, her antagonizing of Baek Ho, forcing others into doing what she wants, overreacting (lying down on the floor in the big company entry to avoid her ex?), and giving her brother and her best friend so much crap over being together. I'm not sure what the ML saw in her at all. It's hard for me to find something funny when it's so clear that it's actors trying to act funny, instead of characters doing funny things/reacting in a way that's both humorous and well-crafted. I didn't finish it, but the show might be a good show for someone who needs something light without much to focus on. And the countryside is beautiful!

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"a highly used concept rebranded" is what I thought of...

The drama is different and a new concept for sure. It's hilarious if you look at it through the bright side. The FL has been through some awful things back where she used to work unlike where she is now, happy, hardworking, and free. The ML is just starting to warm up, he does have the characteristics of a cold-hearted director like in other dramas. Currently, I have enjoyed the past 2 episodes and am waiting for the next episodes due to the cliffhanger (which was huge for an ending for the second episode of course!!!!) and the next episode spoiler. Looking forward to how the story turns out even though the ending can be thought of.

The side characters are funny too, they help in bringing chaos and fun which I Love, also I can start feeling the tension between the 2ML and 2FL if I am right.. really excited to see how it turns out fr

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