The Vacation Principle (2026)

Pointless drama

This is not my usual way of writing a review. I just wrote down some notes.

Stupid plot and stupid characters. This is a pointless drama.

The most annoying things:
- Every character’s childish behavior throughout the whole series.
- The characters’ actions and attitude during a disaster and after surviving from a deadly disaster. Not a single one of them was frightened or freaked out just a little bit. They only got pissed off because their 'vacation' was forced to end. They take disasters too lightly. I don't think Japanese people would have this kind of attitude towards any disasters.
- The happy ever after ending for these idiots. Life isn’t that easy. Just after one vacation, everyone’s struggles will not suddenly disappear like it never exists before like in this drama. Don’t be fooled, everyone.
- The boss asked in Japanese and the employee answered in Korean, while the employee was speaking Japanese to everybody else. Like, what is the point?
- Tarot cards were made fun of. The ‘death’ card was used to represent bad luck again. I usually don’t pay attention much to this detail in dramas or films, but one of the main characters is a tarot reader and this detail appeared a lot. By the way, I don’t think any tarot readers would directly tell you in your face what you should do or should not do. They just give you the directions. Tarot readers are very careful of what they speak. That’s my guess from my experience. A friend of mine is a tarot reader. This matter isn’t actually something pisses me off too much, though. I think it also happened in other dramas. I just listed it randomly.

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Why? Just why?

Dear readers, this is not a proper review. More a mini rant. I do apologise.

After 9 eps, I'm done. I have given this series a fair go. I am satisfied that this show is pointless and has few redeeming features. I'll elaborate further.

It appears the writer-san wants to explore the notion that Japanese people don't take vacations and if they do, they don't know what to do with themselves.

Hence, our ensemble cast is so inept at such activities. They are making things up as they go and creating mayhem. Getting drunk and acting silly was a primary goal.

You can imagine this is rather threadbare for 4.5 hours runtime. Hence the introduction of the supernatural angle. If you think this is a quick fix then you will be disappointed. If anything, it opens up a Pandora's Box of confusion.

To wit, their version of the Grim Reaper acts like a spaced out goth country bumpkin(?!). He spends most of his time being a full-time caretaker of the villa. While every member of the ensemble is in the hyperactive, overacting mode, he is a metaphysical sloth. How can this be the Angel of Death? Why is Chae Jong Hyeop involved? Did he read the script?

If that is not enough, they also added a Sea God in EP.6. He spend all day fishing. Do all the demi-gods come here for a vacay?

Is this someone's vanity project? So much of the plots are like a potpourri of ideas. Random subplots just pops up and then disappears.

It would help if there is a throughline, but I saw none. I know they mentioned an extinction level event at the end of EP.1, but the A-plot pretty much ignored it. I'm getting a headache just from trying to decipher if subplots are nonsense or relevant.

This series could work if it is a total farce, but it is not. It is more like a collection of unrelated sketches. Moment to moment, can be mildly entertaining. Most of the time it is just cringey or awkward.

Don't get me wrong. Japanese are masters at exploring mundane and quirky situations. They are usually well crafted world populated by engaging characters. Just think of Studio Ghibli productions. This show is the opposite.

Here lies the conundrum. A show must hold your attention, otherwise any promise of wonderful things to come will ring hollow. It is not working here.

Life's too short. Peace.

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