Mr. Plankton (2024)

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.

Lire davantage

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.

Lire davantage

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

Lire davantage

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!

Lire davantage

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

Lire davantage

love, loss, and personal growth

Mr. Plankton tells the story of Hae Jo (Woo Do-hwan), a man with a terminal illness, who seeks closure by finding his biological father. His path crosses with his ex, Jo Jae-mi (Lee Yoo-mi), and they embark on a road trip, where they confront past regrets and their complicated feelings for each other. Jae-mi’s infertility and relationship struggles with her fiancé, Eo Heung (Oh Jung-se), add further emotional depth. In the series’ poignant finale, Hae Jo accepts his fate, while Jae-mi faces the difficult choice between her past and future. The ending offers a bittersweet but hopeful message about love, loss, and personal growth.

Lire davantage

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.

Lire davantage

Mr. Plankton: A Bittersweet Exploration of Love, Loss and Belonging

I just finished this drama and i absolutely loved it. To my surprise, the more i watched, the more the series grew on me. Initially when i saw E1, i didnt like it at all. But as the story began to unravel, i found myself getting more and more invested. Im not sure why it didnt click with me at first, maybe i wasnt in the right mood but this time, the show truly resonated with me.

The leads are incredibly flawed characters, which made them both frustrating and fascinating. At times i really disliked Hae Jo (ML) for his selfishness and the way he dragged Jae Mi (FL) into danger for his own selfish reasons. His harsh breakup with her was downright cruel and just when he learned about his impending death, he kidnapped her to spend his final moments with her. His actions made it difficult to root for him initially but as the story delved deeper into his character, I found it impossible to hate him. His backstory was heartbreakingly tragic and despite his flaws, i couldnt help but feel for him.

Jae Mi also frustrated me at times. How could she overlook someone as perfect as Eo Heung (SML)?? He was easily the best character in the series alongside Bong Suk. But as i accepted that the Jae Mi and Hae Jo’s love for each other was unwavering, it became easier to move past the idea of her and Eo Heung. Some relationships are simply not meant to be and theirs was one of those. Once i came to terms with this, i could fully like the leads and their pairing.

Hae Jo and Jae Mi seemed cursed by the abandonment of their parents yet they were incredibly lucky to have people like Bong Suk, Kkari and Eo Heung in their lives. I wish they had focused on cherishing the love and support they already had rather than searching for the parents who abandoned them.

Eo Heung and Juri were undoubtedly the heart of the series. Their love and care for Jae Mi and Hae Jo were unmatched. Bong Suk, in particular stood out, she was like a mother, sister and even a partner to Hae Jo. She raised him when he ran away, embodying every role he needed just as he described her in the first episode. Her dedication was nothing short of extraordinary.

Hae Jo’s closure with his adoptive father was intense moment but i still cant forgive that man for abandoning the child he raised with so much love simply because he wasnt his biological son.

One recurring theme in the show that irked me was the overemphasis on biological connections. Jae Mi’s desperate longing to become a mother felt unnecessary. Was it so important to have her own children?? As someone who grew up as an orphan, she could have understood the importance of love over biology. There are countless children in need of families, why not adopt and give them the love they deserve?? Similarly Eo Heung’s mother’s obsession with having biological grandchildren to carry on the family lineage felt outdated and frustrating.

Despite these issues, the characters felt incredibly real with all their flaws and complexities. Most of them left me with a warm & bittersweet feeling which is a rare feat for any series.

The show also delivered some deeply emotional moments, especially in the final two episodes which were nothing short of tear jerking.

Overall, Mr. Plankton is one of the best Netflix originals of 2024.

Lire davantage