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Slow poison!
Should you? Would you? Could you?You should watch this one (MAYBE! )
You would recommend this to others. (MAYBE!)
You could watch this again. (NO!)
Ending: Happy
It is like slow poison - it seeps into your veins and slowly consumes you with its intensity. This is not a drama for everyone. This is not a drama for the weak hearted because believe me you will end up crying a lot thanks to it’s setting which is in a hospice.
This is a drama that you will start enjoying only after the third or the fourth episode. There is something that pulls you into this but I repeat it is not everyone’s cup of tea. It is slow and it is intense. It has a lot of sad moments which will make you shed a tear but it is worth a watch definitely.
The creators have very cleverly drawn parallels between two emotions: happiness and sadness. Happiness always comes from eating good food and sadness always arises out of weakness, sickness and death. So they have taken these two emotions and exposed the audience to doses of both in equal proportion. They take you where you know that you are going to meet terminally ill patients and there you are exposed to this amazing array of food which is given to these amazing people and then you slowly watch them die that leads to intense sadness on our part.
The romance is gradual and that’s perfect for this story line. I didn’t really find too much chemistry between the lead pair but that also didn’t seem to take away from the effectiveness of the story.
The cast: the lead pair are good in their respective roles. Not much chemistry between them. But Jang Seung Jo ( lead actor’s cousin brother),Min Jin Woong (lead actresses brother), Kim Won Hae (director of hospice) & Kim Ho Jung ( director’s ex wife) deserve a special mention as they have brought their roles alive with fabulous performances.
Watch it if you have the patience. It’s meant for those who are willing to shed a tear and not expect a fast paced drama.
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One of the best dramas I have ever watched.
If you want to be emotionally attached to a drama, this drama is for you. Everything about this drama is pure saddness, and I think I cried at least twice every episode. If you aren't in the mindspace for such emotions, maybe pick another show. It may be sad but it is just so, so good at showing the bittersweetness of everything. I feel like if your someone who has gone through a lot in life, you can relate to the main female lead a lot. The drama really makes you reflect, even on your own life.Was this review helpful to you?
A sensitive drama about family, hospice care, and mental health - and the healing power of food
I've actually rewatching "Chocolate" as I write this review - my first review for the first K-drama I've ever watched in my life (which happened about seven months ago).My message to you is, watch it! Even though I've read elsewhere that it's considered somewhat old fashioned, I hope many Koreans watched it, because it sends so many important messages about love and self-care that we could all use.
What people mistake for gloominess is actually a courageous take on difficult subjects that are often avoided in polite Korean culture, like depression. It also tackles hospice care, dementia, and the immense pressure of familial expectations placed on Korean children. It's definitely got its melodramatic moments, and you will shed many cathartic tears.
It's beautifully shot, it's got a lot of heartwarming moments centered around food, and thankfully it's got plenty of moments of levity in between. All of this frames the beautiful love story between the two main characters - two wounded people who didn't seem like they could be together because of so much baggage in their younger lives.
The drama has gathered a real powerhouse of actors, from the leads, Ha Ji Won and Yoon Kye Sang (who is somehow, frustratingly, not getting enough career breaks, much as he tries), to Jang Seung Jo (YKS' rival cousin), Kim Won Hae (the hospice facility director), and Min Jin Woong (HJW's brother).
It's probably not going to affect you like this year's big hits. Think of this as the underdog drama that tries to send quiet messages of caring and concern to the people who probably need it most. There's plenty of room in the plot, the photography, and in the acting to appreciate this drama.
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It started with the main characters in unusual backgrounds. With busy career lines, health issues, cold and dull emotions, no one can expect how to make their ends meet. But the storyline gradually develops at a constant pace by becoming humane and more lovely towards the end. No pressures to love and they just allowed fate to draw them together. And this is what made it beautiful.
The supporting characters added majority of the weave in the story. I unexpectedly realize that they are the ones that made a huge impact to my tears in almost every episode. The OST and visuals are also excellent!
I wish there would be more happy details in the ending, like Kang proposing to Cha Young, or Cha Young managing the seaside restaurant. Their chemistry was really good!!
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Watch it!
It's worth to be watch for, Ha Ji Won is Ha Ji Won. Every emotion would be revealed here. A drama that will make you feel like you were part of it and will make you feel that life is important no matter what. Forgiveness, love and life are the most important part i have observe in this drama. I have learned that you need to live to the fullest and make someone you loved know your feelings because you don't know what will happen next. I recommend this drama, what are you waiting for? Watch it now!Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Sweet Romance with a Tasty Adventure.
Just a warning, there's discussion of sad themes such as death and trauma around this drama series.I was excited to watch this drama because of Ha Ji Won, which seems to be a common occurrence. Her performance in this drama was excellent. This matched the main mc Yoon Key Sang. I think the chemistry between these two are amazing. I think the little downside was the "sad" mood this drama had, which in return had more of a weight between them then a comfy feeling.
In general, I loved the casting for this drama. Everyone seemed to fit the role of the characters they had. I also heavily enjoyed the OST for this drama.
The only thing I slightly disliked was the romance and relationship in this drama. The two mc's romance for each other felt very "cheesy" .
Overall, if you want to watch it, I will say go for it!
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This review may contain spoilers
If I'm being completely honest I was bored when I started watching it. I found the plot slow-paced and boring. I expected romance throughout it. I stopped watching the drama for a while and went back again because I didn't have anything else to watch. I didn't expect to be hooked. I started to understand the meaning of the drama and enjoyed it. It was incredibly emotional. It centered around a hospice and you grew to love characters. It was upsetting to see people's lives coming to an end and how it affected everyone. It had an impact on the way I thought about life and death. The romance aspect was good and realistic. When Cha-Young realized that she needed time alone I felt happy for her. I thought it was brave of her to be alone and I think that she needed the time alone. It showed a different side to romance. It showed that they don't have to depend on each other. It was refreshing. I also liked seeing character development. I think that many characters grew but seeing Kang's views and opinions change was particularly nice.The acting was great and I think that the characters were portrayed well. I also loved the soundtrack as it was fitting. I listen to the soundtrack a lot. Personally, I think I'd struggle to rewatch it but I would be able to. The only thing stopping me is the first impression I had.
Overall, I recommend this drama to anyone that's looking for something a little different, refreshing, and emotional. However, if you're looking for something lighthearted and bubbly this isn't it.
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Ha Ji Won
I am not a fan of hospital / medical dramas because I get squirmy easily and I don’t want to feel disturbed during and after watching such dramas.However, I chose to watch this show because of Ha Ji Won. I am a fan of this female actress as in my opinion, she doesn’t disappoint.
I enjoyed this drama even though there were heartbreaking moments. There were many lovey moments between the male lead and female lead. The whole cast acted well. The story was pretty good. There were tense moments. There were sweet moments.
I have rewatched the sweet moments because the female lead and the two hot male leads have good chemistry.
I’d say: watch this because it isn’t too heavy on the hospital / medical side. It’s more on the human / humane side if you get what I mean. Also, watch because of the leads.
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A Hidden Game
To start with, I'm actually not a fan of Melodrama. I'm a fan for action, thriller, political, and crime drama which this is far from my cup of tea. It's actually because I'm a fan of Ha Ji Won (we know that she is an action actress and that's why I love her). So I started this drama with zero expectation, just for the sake of okay I want to see Jiwon more, I'm running out of dramas :D. But you know turns out this drama become one in my top list!At the first I also like most of the people. The story is boring and I don't think I'm enjoying much. However in every episode I started crying. Then I manage to finish it. First time I enjoy is solely for the scenery and the OST. Beautiful Greece and Hospice set up.
But then I don't know why I started to miss Moon Cha Young and Lee Kang and I read some reviews and story from people. I decide to rewatch again and yes, this is started when I finally find this gem! The story itself is so thoughtful and have many deep meaning. I started to think about life and death and a lot of meaning of value of life. This drama has that kind of messages that I think I cannot find it in Kdramas I've ever watched. So I suggest that for the watchers to enjoy the meaning that every sub stories told, which this is actually set-up the romance for the Main Leads to start open to each other. This drama is more physiological and I think the most realistic drama. Try to put yourself in their shoes and you know it is actually what you will do more or less.
Acting just superb! From the main leads, supporting actors, and child actors! Definitely the best! Since you can be drawn by every story.
I will definitely rewatch this time to time to find great scenery, hidden values and meaning, and make your heart warm.
Read somewhere that gem cannot be found by many people. Sometimes they find you. That's why Chocolate is a very hidden gem to me., So if this drama is your gem, congratulation! Hope you can be inspired too and your life can be better. And on the other hand some or most people who cannot find this gem inside, don't worry just skip this and enjoy others drama which is your cup of tea :D
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I never knew i would stay till the end of the series
if you are looking for a comfort drama, less romance, and a bit of slice of life, this is for you.started this show with zero expectation, then i found myself get immersed and crying while watching. the first half is quite fast-paced for a melodrama. ive been told it's a slowburn, so i didnt expect any romantic scene at the beginning, they started to flirt in episode 12 something so if you are looking for a swoony romance drama this is definitely not for you.
i tend to get bored easily while watching melodrama but Chocolate is so well written, the plot, the character development are amazing but i just not fond of the ending, it feels so rushed and i wish to see more bromance between lee kang and lee jun.
i appreciate the substories of the patients at the hospice, heartwarming and i cried A LOT, but we barely see the two leads it looks like they are just like the other side characters. maybe that's how the writer wanted it to be. i love the way they relate all the patients with their 'comfort' foods on their deathbed :')) and each food tells a story.
just two souls find comfort in each other, along the journey of healing. this drama is good but not super good that i'll watch it again. i'll cherish the first experience watching this.
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