Eating Existence (2015)

So....I guess I'm writing a review for this weird little drama. Was I the only one who liked it? Ha.

Yes, as others have mentioned, this is very slice-of-life. Possibly not even that, since it skips forward a bit from time to time. It gives the feel of little vignettes, I guess. Anyway, I didn't mind that at all. The thing that sticks with me, thinking back to watching this, is that it made me laugh. For real. It's just so wacky and out there and I guess I like that. As for the role that food plays in the drama, it's central, but varies depending on the episode. I am glad it didn't veer into either straight food porn (because that just doesn't interest me) or something sentimental (a la the k-version of Late Night Restaurant, which I liked, but that would absolutely not have worked in this drama, with these characters).

I was unfamiliar with Ahn Young Mi going into this one (even though I must have seen her in Reply 1997), but she impressed me by embracing this oddball of a character. She's brash and insecure, opinionated but willing to reconsider her stance (eventually). In short, the character grows a tiny bit (and believably), even over the course of this very short drama, without losing what makes that character who she is. No Min Woo is adorable as good-guy Byung. Byung's a bit like No MIn Woo's character in My Unfortunate Boyfriend in that he's kind of sweet and naive, but someone you root for. Cute, but not too cute. If that makes any sense. He's good at that.

I liked the music a lot, which kind of surprised me, frankly, since I usually find very little drama music that I actually like. It either sets my teeth on edge (ballads) or it's just generic (most of the rest, with some exceptions, obviously). This was very low-key, but fit well.

I'm not sure I would rewatch, but then again, it's so short that who knows. I might watch an episode or two again just to laugh some more.

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So I finished watching Eating Existence yesterday and gave myself a night to collect my thoughts and make sure I wasn't being too harsh... Unfortunately my ratings have hardly changed.

Though there are the skeletons of a plot there isn't really anything else to this story: not unless you dig real deep. Every now and then it moves a little forwards in abrupt lurches but I found myself not really caring about any of the developments, and those that I DID care about didn't get enough screen time! Yet for 8-10 minutes per episode it is enjoyable in its own little, time-filler way.

I started watching Eating Existence expecting very little and it's a good job I didn't. A lot of my enjoyment came from Yong Tae Won v2 in all his adorable wackiness - though he didn't get anywhere near as much time as he should've! There are quite a few scenes which cracked me up (and it's probably worth watching just for those) and there's a peculiar kind of sweetness to the whole show that saves it. The characters were appealing and unusual enough to keep me watching.

So if you're heartbroken after your latest drama and need a few minutes of respite then this is a good choice. Personally I used it to amuse myself for a little while.

(I gave the music such a low score since I don't even remember any of it. Like...not even a few notes. I'm almost starting to convince myself that there wasn't any but in the end credits.)

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