minj99
One of the most anticipated romcoms of 2021
The expectations for My Roommate is a Gumiho blow through the roof. Screenwriter and director combo from What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim (plus countless other dramas). Two of the hottest young actors in Jang Ki Yong and Lee Hye Ri. Reunion of Start-Up cast members Kang Han Na and Kim Do Wan. Even the “fifth” lead, Bae In Hyuk builds on his 2019 debut. The cast makes MRIG a must-watch for lovers of romcom.
To live up to lofty expectations proves to be too challenging for My Roommate is a Gumiho. The fantasy setting is almost an afterthought for what is essentially a slice-of-life/cohabitation drama, and MRIG fails to provide a fresh perspective on the usual romcom tropes.
Story:
The synopsis points to a fantasy romance when comedy cohabitation drama is a more apt description. The two leads meet due to a drunk accident, not an otherworldly incident; Gumiho powers seem more gimmicky than terrifying; The urgency of becoming human is explained away with “you have one year remaining on your thousand year deadline”. The fantasy element feels cheaply used to bring together and keep the two leads under one roof.
Acting:
Regardless of the drama’s shortcomings, the cast comes out better individually than as a team. Jang Ki Yong’s brand is peaking as we speak, and Lee Hye Ri adds another leading role to her idol-turned-actress career. Second leads are given plenty of screen time, mostly at the expense of the supporting roles. The commercial firepower of the five main leads is not in question, with numerous product placements to maximize earnings potential.
Music:
The music is a surprisingly good analogy for the drama as a whole - safe and unremarkable mix of Korean drama OST staples with select kpop features. The commercial feel of the whole enterprise from cast to plot to music is the ultimate weakness of My Roommate Is a Gumiho. Greater risks could have been allowed to the writers, directors, actors, and musicians involved.
Rewatch Value:
All the points made in the review could be driven by one fact: My Roommate Is a Gumiho is the first Korean TV series produced by iQIYI. The producers philosophy seems heavily risk averse. They could have taken bigger risks and stumbled like Tale of the Nine-Tailed or succeeded like Goblin. Instead, we have another run-of-the-mill webtoon adaptation.
To live up to lofty expectations proves to be too challenging for My Roommate is a Gumiho. The fantasy setting is almost an afterthought for what is essentially a slice-of-life/cohabitation drama, and MRIG fails to provide a fresh perspective on the usual romcom tropes.
Story:
The synopsis points to a fantasy romance when comedy cohabitation drama is a more apt description. The two leads meet due to a drunk accident, not an otherworldly incident; Gumiho powers seem more gimmicky than terrifying; The urgency of becoming human is explained away with “you have one year remaining on your thousand year deadline”. The fantasy element feels cheaply used to bring together and keep the two leads under one roof.
Acting:
Regardless of the drama’s shortcomings, the cast comes out better individually than as a team. Jang Ki Yong’s brand is peaking as we speak, and Lee Hye Ri adds another leading role to her idol-turned-actress career. Second leads are given plenty of screen time, mostly at the expense of the supporting roles. The commercial firepower of the five main leads is not in question, with numerous product placements to maximize earnings potential.
Music:
The music is a surprisingly good analogy for the drama as a whole - safe and unremarkable mix of Korean drama OST staples with select kpop features. The commercial feel of the whole enterprise from cast to plot to music is the ultimate weakness of My Roommate Is a Gumiho. Greater risks could have been allowed to the writers, directors, actors, and musicians involved.
Rewatch Value:
All the points made in the review could be driven by one fact: My Roommate Is a Gumiho is the first Korean TV series produced by iQIYI. The producers philosophy seems heavily risk averse. They could have taken bigger risks and stumbled like Tale of the Nine-Tailed or succeeded like Goblin. Instead, we have another run-of-the-mill webtoon adaptation.
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