The story had a nice amount of romance, drama and family dynamics. The tragedy was all over it, not only in the background stories of the two leads, but with the actual side stories of the hospice as well. Some of the characters were annoying though. However, overall, the family drama was good, the bromance was nice, the love story intense enough and with enough chemistry, and the performances were very professional on top of that. The story, however, was lacking a bit of intensity and that made it boring at times, as it was easily predictable.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
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Don’t be fooled by the title, this is a very sad and heavy drama
I think the main point of this drama is acceptance of different things, be it relationship, family, life or death. The story mainly focus on a Hospice, so you should except to see a lot of deaths. When we know the end is near, there are a lot of things we need to learn to accept. But the lesson learned is not just for those facing deaths, it also pertinent to those around them, from family, friends, doctors, nurses and even the staff member of the hospice.This would be a great drama if they delve deeper on just some of the plot point they have instead of trying to divulge all the plot points. There are too many different messages they want to impart with the plots that everything is just skimming the surface, without any depth. It feels like looking at a lake, where you could see the surface, but you don’t know what’s inside. It left me unsatisfied by the end of it.
There are quite a few plot point that for me worth to be explored more deeply and some could probably be saved for later. There are too much going on that it felt scattered, unfocus and shallow. It has romance in it, that I think really need to be developed more. The brotherly relationship between Lee Kang and Lee Jun should also be delved deeper, because it’s so interesting. And a lot more other plot points that I think they could actually make several season of the drama to be able to explore them all.
The drama have a lot of medical undertone, but they just gloss over it. It’s a hospice, there are doctors and nurses and hospital, but they never go over the medical aspects. For me this was a real negative point of this drama, other than the skimming the top plot. I wish they explore more of the medical problem faced by the people in the hospice and even the doctors.
There are a lot of food, cooking and eating, but it still only feels like a garnish, not a meal or even a complete dish. This drama really feels like snacking, it only feels you up for a little while but it actually make you yearn for something more substantial. I really wish they just focus and delve deeper on some plot point and expand it. They should make several season with all the plot fully explored.
The chemistry of the casts are top notch. My favorite is Kim Ho Jung, playing as Han Sun Ae, the chef in the hospice that have Alzheimer. She’s convey they progression of the decease so convincingly. Min Jin Woong as Moon Tae Hyun also great at portraying this really annoying brother of our MFL, wish they give him more time on screen and developed him. The main female lead character, Ha Ji Won as Moon Cha Young, for me is too one dimensional, she’s just too nice and sympathetic. The main male lead character, Yoon Kye Sang as Lee Kang, is better developed, you could see the change in his world view after working in the hospice. Jang Sung Jo as Lee Jun should have been explored more, because I think he could have a really great character development.
The music is good, it really help developed the atmosphere of the drama and build up the mood. Nothing that I would remember afterward though.
The cinematography feels very artistic, a lot of beautiful scenery with with angled shot, and also close up of delicious looking food. The show makes me feel hungry after looking at all the food they cook, and makes me want to travel to all the places they shoot at.
I would rewatch some of the scene to enjoy the cooking and scenery, but it would always makes me a bit annoyed because I feel like they should have explore the story more.
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Food, Romance, Destiny, Life and Death
I recently finished (as in minutes ago) Chocolate in 5 days and that just shows how addictive the show was.The first few episodes drew me in and when the plot revolved more around the hospice, it got even more interesting.
I love a childhood/ first love romance theme, but this one made it interesting with the theme of missed opportunities and chance meetings.
The characters we interesting and loveable and the ones that were annoying were infuriating as they should be.
I enjoyed the character growth of the main cast members, especially Lee Jun. At first I was super annoyed with him, but he later grew on me. Everyone's relationships were precious as well.
Spoiler: it had to happen, but I'm still sad Min Seong had to die. His scene asking out Cha Young was adorable!!
Also idk if anyone here watches Jolly (youtube), but Min Seong legit reminds me of a Korean Josh lol
Anyway, I enjoyed the theme of a hospice and it's importance in people's lives . I find kdrama's always get me thinking about life and cherishing moments more. Sadly with just 16 episodes and taking a bit to get to the hospice, I found myself not crying at the deaths of characters. Normally I get super immersed, but with the pacing I guess I wasn't as attached to certain character's deaths. For instance (could blame squid game too lol spoiler) the grand pa always waiting for his son at a chinese place death didn't make me emotional. Where as with something like Hi, Bye, Mama!and Goblin the passing of the ghosts had me bawling tears.
I do give them props for depicting the struggles of alzheimer's on people and those around them though.
The theme of trauma and harsh expectations in a rich family were aspects I liked as well. It reminded me of the cut throat attitudes in Seri's family in CLOY. The building disaster also reminded me of Rain or Shine (Just between lovers) which may be why it was recommended as something to watch after viewing it.
I'll say this drama was quite the pallet cleanser after not enjoying One Spring Night and I believe it's a nice suggestion to watch if you liked Rain or Shine.
The only really negative thing I have to say is that I wasn't as satisfied with the ending as I thought I would be. I guess I wish there was more of a nice bow put onto the other character's story lines. Also the fact that Cha Young ran off to Greece again and Lee Kang went to go find her????
Like okay? Idk just felt funny, like it connects with how the story opened but why? XD
Anyway I still say give it a watch! Make your own opinions on it too cause I'm sure people would love to see more.
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more romance
I love the main characters relationship but I feel like all of the other drama wasn’t necessary and didn’t add to the story. i wish this drama was more centered around the main leads it was wonderful to see them together but it need more of them. the drama from the family and other characters took over from the main leads story I wish it was more of them in love and spending time together. it’s like a family medical drama featuring a love story and I loved the romance they added but like I said I wish there was more.Was this review helpful to you?
Be wary of what you wish is to be the goal of your life, especially when your heart forbids it
If you ever feel like you haven’t fulfilled your quota of 'shedding tears' in this world, this is it! this show will surely help you complete that task.I've never seen a main-character attend this many funeral in a single drama, as much as I did in this very show.
Ep 3-13 (you are bound to cry at almost every episode except couple maybe)
I can't believe this came out the same year as The King Eternal Monarch did (2019) yet I somehow missed seeing or hearing anything about this great slice of life drama and then out of nowhere 2½ years after its release Netflix recommends me this soul crushing heartwarming story narrating the necessity of Care facilities, Love in life and Family and also gives us a strong message of how money is not the most "important" thing to have a satisfied life, it can sometimes be a good homemade meal, a family outing, your fascination twords pottery or anything that makes you happy and this show serves as an alarming advices to how badly in-sibling rivalry can affect one's mental peace especially when such disputes are encouraged by family elders.
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Surprisingly entertaining
I had a hard time starting this drama. As much as I respect Ha Jiwon, I had doubts if I'll enjoy her act with this genre. The first few episodes had too much going on that it could be a reason for others to drop it midway. The lead guy, seems too indifferent and I was starting to doubt if I'll love their chemistry. But as the plot loosens up, I began appreciating their effort to highlight food and it's impact to people. The love they portrayed was tender and warm that upon ending this drama, I began to search for other dramas of the same genre.Was this review helpful to you?
Best melo of 2019
It's a story about terminally ill patients,with heart-warming love story of the protagonists.I see some are dropping this as they can't take the sufferings of those people in the hospice...so if RomCom is your type,don't watch this drama.you are not gonna find your typical cheesy stuffs here."Chocolate" is a drama with which we all can relate bcz we all are part of this planet.We all have unrequitted love,we all have happiness and suffering relating to the ones who left us,And Yeah,do watch it if you're a doctor.Life is not a bed roses,it never was.....Was this review helpful to you?
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It's melodrama ^^
I started to watch this because of Ha Ji Won. I have been watch her drama like Damo, Secret Garden, King 2 Hearts, Empress Ki, The time we were in love and Hospital Playlist ( this one just being hold, and try to finished it when I have the mood ^,^)I watch 4 episodes for trial at first , and then I stuck. Then I started to watch again, since I have high expectation for this drama because of the writer. She was good in some melancholic drama. It's been my favorite likes: Sorry I love You, Innocent Man, A love to kill.
I gain my interest again and start to continue this drama, but after I reach to eps 7 and so on...I start to bored and for me the plot is too slow. The main lead was good, also the supporting roles. But, this drama cannot caught my heart. The music was very beautiful to support this drama, but too sad I must dropped this one until episode 13. Maybe it just not my like. Despite of all, I really really enjoy the soundtrack :)
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I'd rather watch paint dry
One word: Boring.I'm not sure what this drama wanted to achieve. It was slow, cliched (the infamous kdrama meeting as children trope and chaebol patriarch with secret lovechild trope) and I'm not sure what the point of this show was? I skipped around because it was SO SLOW and the only good thing was the nice scenery of Greece. This show is touted as "healing" by some reviews but I felt anything but that. In fact I felt annoyed because nothing was happening. Also the ending sucked apparently from what I read but I can't confirm this as I was wasn't willing to stick around and find out. At least the acting was decent.
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A mistura da medicina com culinária foi inusitada e boa de se ver, a culinária é um tema que me agrada e as cenas onde a Moon Cha Young (Ha Ji Won) aparecia preparando algum prato foram realmente interessantes e um ponto muito positivo deste drama.
Por terem sofrido no passado o desenvolvimento do relacionamento dos protagonistas é bem comedido, o que não me deixou desinteressada, pelo contrário. Pessoalmente eu gosto de dramas onde o relacionamento dos protagonistas é mais contido, isto me deixa ansiosa e me faz torcer pelo romance deles.
O que me desagradou neste drama foi a forma como alguns acontecimentos ou personagens foram introduzidos na história. A falta de coerência em algumas cenas me incomodou muito, quando eu menos esperava e piscava os olhos já estava em outra cena sem terem concluído ou explicado a cena anterior (isto aconteceu com maior frequência nos primeiros episódios). Apesar disso, consegui acompanhar o drama até o final sem nenhum esforço.
Quanto as atuações, foi tudo OK, apesar de achar o Yoon Kye Sang um ator bem inexpressivo, este papel foi perfeito para ele.
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