Mr. Plankton (2024)

Tragically Beautiful..

Mr. Plankton was a total gem from start to finish.. It truly set a high standard.. Delivered quality in every departments.. From start to finish there were no bad scenes.. No bad characters.. And not a single bad performance from any of the actors.. Each actor brought depth and authenticity to their role.. Made them essential to the story no matter how small their screentime is.. Cinematography was impressive.. The romance was just chaotic.. Messy and yet strangely perfect.. They were a chaotic couple.. And funny even when they shouldnt be.. And come on what more can you expect from a drama that had two marriages in the first episode and The ML kidnapped both the brides.. It was a rollercoaster of chaos and fun..

The first scene itself screamed ' No happy ending here '.. And that was actually the way to go.. The entire story leading to that last moment.. ' His Death '.. That was the perfect ending.. No miracle cure.. Nothing magical.. Just a journey filled with Love..
Comedy and Pure Messy Romance..

At one point.. I genuinely feared that WDH wasnt just acting.. Maybe he was actually going through something himself.. He was that good.. He was really living the character..

The scene where Jae Mi kissed Hae Jo at that the bus stop after kidnapping him from the hospital honestly didnt feel like it was scripted.. It felt real.. As real as it can be.. Such a perfect moment..

And the last scene..

" In the end.. You are the final scene of my life.. I guess that means i had a pretty good life.. "

What a powerful way to end the story.. The ending was expected but heartbreaking nonetheless..

Overall.. Another strong contender for drama of the year.. Loved the characters journey and their warm connection and relationship with each other.. WDH certainly deserves an award for his performance here.. And kudos to the writer for that ending.. This drama is going to stay with me for a long time..

They entered our lives so effortlessly.. And in just ten episodes.. They left us shattered and aching..

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Let's go on an adventure.

This show is worth watching. It's about friendship, love, adventure, and most importantly, the meaning of family. A lot of people say that this is a sad ending but to be honest, it's not. It's more so a bittersweet ending.

Spoiler Warning:

It doesn't end with us seeing him dead. The male lead has a terminal illness so obviously he will eventually die. So I guess knowing that is what is leading people to say this had a sad ending. His ending was the best ending one could hope to have given his situation and life circumstances. He was reunited with the people who matter to him in life and was able to accomplish the things he most wanted to. He was also surrounded by a supportive group of people. A lot of people in their last days don't get that. Anyways, that's just my take on things. Don't let the comments or other reviews discourage you from watching this.

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Bittersweet

Bittersweet endings hold a quiet, yet powerful beauty. They’re different from pure sadness, which settles in your heart like a weight. In stories like Uncontrollably Fond and Mr. Plankton, we know early on that joy and pain will entwine, but still, we cling to a fragile hope—that somehow love will rewrite destiny.

Mr. Plankton doesn’t just remind us of love’s power, but of life’s fragility. It nudges us to forgive, not just others but ourselves, and to embrace every moment. It teaches us to live meaningfully, without regrets, and to leave behind memories that will inspire others to live fully too. There’s a humbling reminder in these stories: at the end of our journey, the legacy we leave is a reflection of the love and peace we nurtured within ourselves.

Highly recommended.

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"The Ultimate Rollercoaster of Emotions: A Heartfelt Journey of Love, Loss, and Healing"??

Introduction

After months of anticipation, this drama has finally arrived, and the first episode did not disappoint! If you're looking for a show that tugs at your heartstrings from the get-go, you're in for a roller coaster of emotions. I found myself tearing up a good bajillion times, and it's clear I'm in for a ride filled with both joy and sorrow. The opening scene alone sets the tone for what’s to come — it's not going to be a sunshine-filled journey, and I’m already emotionally bracing myself.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are moments of light, like the adorable flashbacks of the leads’ happier times — they may be fleeting, but they pack an emotional punch. The clever balance of dark humor, like Hae Jo’s (Woo Do-hwan) terminal illness and Jae-mi’s (Lee Yoo-mi) struggle with conception, injects a surprising amount of levity into their otherwise heartbreaking predicaments. And let’s not forget the cameo by Lee Da Hee, which added a delightful twist to the episode!

It’s clear that this drama is channeling the vibes of independent American cinema from the late '90s to early 2000s, and I’m here for it. The closing song, "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & the Papas, perfectly encapsulates the emotional and nostalgic atmosphere.

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Plot/Storyline

Hae Jo, feeling like an outsider due to not knowing who his real father is, learns that he is terminally ill. Faced with this harsh reality, he decides to take drastic action and kidnaps his ex-girlfriend, Jo Jae Mi, dragging her along on a journey to find the truth about his father.

Jo Jae Mi is about to marry Eo Heung, the heir to a powerful food company, in hopes of finding the family she’s always wanted. But the Eo family only accepts her because Heung claims she’s pregnant. On the day of the wedding, Hae Jo kidnaps her, and Eo Heung desperately begins searching for them.

As Hae Jo and Jae Mi spend time together, old feelings resurface. Despite the suffering and conflict they endure, they begin to fall back in love. Their journey becomes even more emotional as Hae Jo struggles with his illness, knowing he doesn’t have much time left. With their past and future uncertain, Hae Jo and Jae Mi must navigate their complicated relationship while confronting the truth that time is running out.
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Characters

Haejo (ML)
Haejo, played by Woo Dohwan, begins as a selfish, fun-loving man who drags Jaemi into his chaotic world. He seems indifferent to the people around him, consumed by his search for answers about his past. Throughout his journey, he struggles with the weight of his own flaws and a deep-seated belief that he’s destined to die alone. For much of the story, he’s resigned to this fate, thinking that happiness is fleeting and that he’ll always be alone in the end. “I just want to die alone... no one should have to suffer because of me.”

But Haejo’s story isn’t just about running from his inevitable end. It’s about learning that love, real love, isn’t something you can escape. Through the unwavering support of Bongsuk, and the presence of Jaemi, Haejo slowly begins to understand that he’s been loved all along, even if he couldn’t see it. By the end, as he faces the truth of his own mortality, Haejo lets go of his fear. Surrounded by those who truly care for him, he accepts that, while he may not have a long life, he’s lived it in a way that matters.

In his final moments, as he lies in Jaemi’s arms, surrounded by snow, he finds peace—no longer wanting to die alone, but to be with those who love him. “I never thought I’d be this lucky… to die in the arms of someone I love.” His smile isn’t one of resignation—it’s one of acceptance, knowing that even though life was short and filled with flaws, he found something beautiful in the end.

Jaemi (FL)
Jaemi, portrayed by Lee Yumi, is the classic K-drama heroine, caught between the stability of her fiancé and the chaos of Haejo’s love. Even after being abandoned by Haejo years ago, she can’t help but crave him. Despite his constant emotional turmoil, she stays, proving that sometimes love is messy, imperfect, but worth the fight. Jaemi’s growth is about learning to love herself, even while loving someone else. “You can love someone who isn’t perfect, but don’t lose yourself in the process.”

Eo Heung (SML)
Oh Jungse shines as Eo Heung, the mama's boy turned independent man. His love for Jaemi transforms him, pushing him to defy his mother and save her when she doesn’t want to be saved. His growth is about gaining confidence and becoming the man Jaemi needs—no longer just a follower, but a leader in his own right. “Love isn’t just about being there when it’s easy—it’s about showing up when it’s hard.”

Bongsuk
Bongsuk, played by Lee El, is Haejo’s rock—his mother, sister, and love all rolled into one. She represents unconditional love, always there to support Haejo no matter his flaws. She teaches him that love can heal wounds, and though he loves Jaemi, Bongsuk’s role in his life remains irreplaceable. “Unconditional love isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment; it’s about standing by someone when they’re at their worst.”

Gi Ho
Gi Ho adds depth to the story, showing loyalty, sacrifice, and the struggle between holding on and letting go. His role might seem secondary, but he plays a key part in pushing other characters toward growth and introspection.
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Pacing: The pacing flows seamlessly between high-energy moments and tender, emotional pauses, keeping you hooked while allowing deep character connections to form.

Visuals/Production: Stunning cinematography and meticulous set design create a world where every frame tells a story, enhancing the emotional depth beyond words.

Sound/Music: The carefully curated soundtrack perfectly amplifies every moment, seamlessly blending with the visuals to leave an unforgettable emotional impact.
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Emotional Impact:
This drama broke me—one moment I was laughing, the next, I was in tears. The journey teaches us that life is about letting go of destinations and embracing the unknown: “Never set a destination. Just let your instinct guide you. You become a drifter.”

Strengths:
The perfect balance of humor and heartbreak, where Haejo’s antics make you laugh and his pain leaves you shattered—an unforgettable emotional rollercoaster.
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Conclusion:

This drama is a heartfelt journey of love, trauma, and the power of found family. The final episode beautifully showcases the characters’ growth and reconciliation, particularly when they come together around the table, forming a bond stronger than blood. Haejo, reflecting on his life and the people he’s come to care for, provides a bittersweet but touching conclusion to his journey.

The show masterfully portrays the lasting effects of childhood trauma and abandonment issues. Characters, especially Haejo and Jaemi, are complex, shaped by their pasts, and show a profound depth in their relationships. The drama’s message about trust, vulnerability, and accepting love despite flaws resonates deeply.

The ending is poignant—a reminder that life is fragile, but living with love and joy is the most meaningful way to go. Haejo, who feared dying alone, finds peace in the arms of his true love, surrounded by those who care for him. It’s a beautiful, poetic ending that encapsulates the emotional core of the story.

The soundtrack, especially California Dreamin’, complements the themes of longing and belonging, adding another layer of depth to the drama. The songs were placed perfectly, enriching the emotional atmosphere. This drama stands out as one of the best, offering a rollercoaster of emotions, strong performances, and a unique, angsty romance that leaves you thinking long after the credits roll.

Recommendation:
This drama is perfect for fans of complex characters, emotional growth, and unconventional love stories. If you enjoy quirky, angsty romances and deep emotional storytelling with a touch of humor, this is a must-watch. Lee Yoo-mi's portrayal of Jaemi and the stunning chemistry between the leads elevate the drama, making it unforgettable.

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Fantastic storyline with fantastic acting

I must say this show was absolutely amazing. The actors and actresses played off the characters perfectly, and honestly you start to feel what the characters feels through the show. I don’t want to give much away about the plot so I will say it follows the synopsis very well. overall it feels like your just watching them find purpose in their own lives even if that’s with eachother. Another big thing is the chemistry between the main leads, it was on another level and you could truly feel the ex’s to lovers again trope. Even how all the cast interacted with eachother was great to watch.

Most note worthy things
-Great plot
-10/10 chemistry
-binge worthy
-stacked cast

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Scripted horror.

Unhealthy relationship, lack of communication. If there was a quote on the poster: "An example of what not to do", then it would be a masterpiece, but I doubt that the message was exactly that.

The first half of the quote on the poster states that it should be a romantic comedy, and the other half hints at a tragic ending. The story should make you laugh and connect to the characters, so that you can be moved at the end, despite the fact that you already knew the ending. This is not the case here.

About the title. Sometimes the titles of films or TV series do not carry a load, but sometimes they encapsulate the essence of the whole plot. "Mr Plankton" or simply "Plankton" clearly had to have a meaning. But what was it? It is difficult to understand what idea the drama is trying to convey. The title of the series suggests that even the smallest organisms matter, but how does the series try to make this point, which we only see in one scene where Hae Jo says this to his younger sister in a dream? Where is this overarching theme that was supposed to follow the adventure and comedy that are no less problematic here?

There is no special chemistry between the main characters, and it's not even clear whether you want them to be together or not, it's just not clear what connects them to be together in any case.

It's not funny or interesting, and sometimes even annoying. It's hard to feel any sympathy. Certain decisions of the characters are unnecessary. For example, when Hae Jo leaves Jae Mi in front of her mother's house and leaves. What's the point? He's sobbing in the car because he dumped her, and she's sobbing because her mother didn't recognise her, even though she started crying not even because of that, but because Hae Jo had abandoned her alone, and then started screaming at the woman in hysterics. Where is the compassion here?

Why did He leave her there? And why did she scream hysterically to that woman that she was just scared and ran away because she didn't want the attention of her family and it's clear that she didn't know how they would react, because it was all out of the blue. Hae Jo could have told her that he had found her mother, prepared himself, come with her with a gift, talked to her quietly or made an appointment, and then she would have introduced Jae Mi to her family. But here, there is no justification for this merry-go-round.

Then we see Jae Mi telling her newfound friends that she has found the mother who left her in the orphanage as a newborn baby. And here is a comedy that is not comedy, they are like: "Let me call the right places," each of them giving their options, "and we'll teach her a lesson, what kind of mother does that?" Was that supposed to make me laugh? There are different reasons why she could have left it, she didn't throw it in the trash. Why didn't she come back for it? The scriptwriter should have thought about that, not just left it as a subplot ending.

"Plankton" missed the mark in all areas. It is incomprehensible, emotionless, although many people write that they both laughed and cried. Honestly, it didn't give me any emotions. There is not a single spark between the characters, and for some reason it leaves us somewhat annoyed with its characters and their motivations. The main characters don't know how to communicate, they leave each other and then cry, then come back again, because it's just a forced necessity to create a drama that doesn't work like that.

For some reason, I was also annoyed that they added the song "California dreamin'," which played at the end of the episodes. I associate it with the 1994 film "Chungking Express". For me, this song is recognisable because of this film, and it makes sense even for the plot. But here, it's not clear why it's there.

The only psychological plus in this story was the character of Eo Heung, he is the only psychologically mature person, but in the ending, you can see that his mental wound has not yet completely healed, because it takes time. It would have been better if they had shown that he didn't start his travel blog alone, but with a new girlfriend.

I don't see any point in you watching it. I've warned you. 90% of people's reviews of this project as a masterpiece on various film resources are incomprehensible to me.

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BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN STORY!!

The whole drama had me on an emotional rollercoaster!!! It was just beautiful. The way they portrayed every single emotion. The frustration, the sadness, the happiness they found in eachother it was all just perfect. Throughout the show Haejo and Jaemi had me both laughing and sobbing like crazy!! Everything was so well written. The humor was top tier please ???? I would DEFINITELY rewatch this!!

What I loved about the show the most was Heung and Haejo's bond. I'm so glad they did not bring a jealousy typical love triangle factor between the two of them and had Heung genuinely care for both Jaemi and Haejo. As I said, beautifully written. The only thing I was curious about in the end is I hope they had actually found his biological dad, but then Haejo going back to meet his other dad was so wholesome, after all he had raised him for 8 years!!

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Dark Romance Comedy with very flawed ML.

The comedy aspect was good. Lots of hilarious scenes thru out the series.

The story was about ML who had lots of issues, parents issues, commitment issues. He met the FL when he at one of the low point at his life. They dated and even get rings together, but ML had commitment issues so as a jerk bastard he break up with FL with bunch of BS and insult the FL too.

Three years later, he find out he will had 3 months to live. By chance ( so many fate meeting in this series) he also find out that his ex (FL) will marry rich guy and she cannot carry a child.

He will.go road trip to try to find his real father (there are few candidates). So as a very selfish and narcissistic person, he go to the FL wedding, threatened her to come with him and then kidnapped her.

This when all hell loose break. They are being chased by a gang (from ML last job) and also the FL husband to be , SML.

Making it short, ML and FL deserved each other. Yes, ML is a HOT bastard . Who only thing what fun and best for him. What important for him. But even after being dumped by the ML years ago, although she had a very good fiancee, she crave the ML from head to toe. Even sometimes she beimg treated like crap again. But she willingly accepted the ML even she know he is so f-ing flaw and so selfish and will die soon. Yep, just because he is young and HOT and SML is not hot and young.

SML had to thank his lucky star he did not marry the FL. He deserved someone that truly love him and not abandoned him the very first chance she had.

The only character with real growth is SML. He was a Mama boy that obey his Mom before all this bride kidnapping happened. But because of his love for FL, he defied his Mom, runaway from home to save FL ( who does not wanted to be save in reality) At the end of the journey, he become more independent and more confident.

The story also show very long journey of ML try finding his real father with no avail. The writer should write more about the ML and the father that raise him till teenager relationship. But it never happen. They just getting back together as father and son just like that at end of ep 10.

The moral of the story: All people deserved love. Even with two flaw characters like ML and FL.

Lots of angsty and miscommunication and flaw plots. At least it was quick pace, good acting, quite funny here and there. The chemistry was good too with all actors.

Its entertaining watch because it only had 10 eps. Good but not my fav.

7 out of 10.

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Thank you for this at the end of the year

Did the K-drama god finally hear my prayers, me steadily asking for at least one good drama in 2024 after this total fail and lack of anything decent? Yes!
I don't even want to spoil too much for those who haven't watched this yet, but let me say this much:

-Woo Do-Hwan - finally someone cast him for a role really fitting him and his abilities. I think actingwise this was one of his best performances yet. He seems more mature in delivering emotions of any kind, (episode 8, the scene on the couch with them crying and then kissing? really good) and I did believe he was the character he played here

- Did something change with the K-drama producers? Did they finally realise that characters seem more believable if they act like they probably really would if they were real people? I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Woo Do-Hwan smoking in this drama - yes, real cigarrettes, like a character like his actually would smoke in real life. I also felt like these things happened more often lately, and have the hope that maybe some actors finally had enough of this 100% clean babyboy image they are supposed to fulfill 24/7 no matter how unrealistic it is. I really enjoy seeing actors in their 30s acting like real men in their 30s instead of 12-year-old naive babies, - they might curse when they are angry, they might smoke cigarettes, they might not be perfectly nice all the time, they kiss their girlfriends passionately for real and not stop frame - how refreshing.

-the storyline was a pleasant mix of serious and philosophical thoughts concering life itself, mixed with some fun and (all new so called feminitst please don't watch this!) a story of a bad boy boyfriend who kidnapps his ex-girlfriend on her messed-up wedding day. Is that politically correct these days? No - do I love it? YES! There are people with messed-up on and off relationships like that, I've been there, I can relate, I like it.

-do all things have happy ends in life? no, and that's how things are sometimes too, or maybe more like what one might consider a happy end I guess.

- I loved the cinematographic elements, some of which reminded me of classics like ' The Fabulous World of Amélie'

-the soundtrack was nice too, plus some classic hits like 'California dreaming'

_I also thought Lee You-mi did a very good job here, the interaction, especially the serious ones between her and Woo Do-Hwan felt quite realistic and well done

- and yes, Woo Do-Hwan gets more attractive as he gets a little older, that's the icing on the cake ;)


In short, I really liked this, I liked the story and the general mood in this, the philosophical input, it's just well done, and comparably fantastic to pretty much everything K-Drama that was released this year, which was yet a big disappointment at least for me.

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The art of making dieing look fun...With a side of Stockholmssyndrom.

This is a pretty decent story about a bunch of people brought together by trauma and what one could call fait.

The chemistry between all the leads is really good, the acting decent and the story may not be very realistic but it did keep my attention throughout the binge.

However there are quite a few unnecessary annoying side twists , the female lead spends a lot of time yelling and crying wiht the type of voice that could make glasss explode and while the development of the story has a decent pace there are some parts that are overly done while others under-explored leaving me not completely satisfied in the end of the show.

That said Woo Do Hwan does a great job bringing this character to life, and while he makes it look a littel bit to much fun to die I cant help but fall for his charm,

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"There's no way you can be lost if you don't set a destination"

Mr. Plankton told the story of three wounded people finding love and reconciliation down a messy, uneven path. Woo Do Hwan can make any role compelling and he had some heavy lifting to do in the early episodes of this drama, thankfully he’d been working out.

Hae Jo and Gi Ho run a boys for hire service, picking whatever jobs Hae Jo thinks will be fun. Hae Jo was emotionally abandoned as a child due to a mistake at an IVF facility and seems to have no love to give. The entrepreneurs take on a job of “kidnapping” a bride which goes south really quick and ends with Hae Jo discovering he has three months to live. He decides to search for his biological father to try and make some sense of his life and in the process kidnaps another bride for real. Soon he has the first bride’s villainous gangster groom after him as well as the second bride’s loving groom.

The first few episodes were difficult for me because I had real concerns about the lack of consent on Jae Mi’s part when Hae Jo kidnapped her. Despite having a past, it came across as problematic. Of course, eventually their shared loved and Woo Do Hwan’s gorgeous face and body convinced her to help him on his parental quest, but that doesn’t negate the kidnapping. Jae Mi’s fiancé, Heung, became hopelessly entangled in their lives. I actually liked Heung. While he had mommy issues due to an overbearing mother, he was a good man who genuinely loved Jae Mi and didn’t deserve to have a front row seat to Hae Jo and Jae Mi’s burgeoning love story. Gi Ho, who became embroiled with the gangsters searching for Hae Jo suffered greatly for his loyalty and friendship which went all but unacknowledged.

Now that I’ve stated the things that didn’t work for me, here’s what did. I’m a sucker for reconciliation stories and found families. Once everyone was mutually onboard the crazy train without a destination, the story worked better. Hae Jo discovered that his family was not the only one with problems. Heung began to develop enough confidence to defy his overbearing mother. Jae Mi came to understand that she had worth. And all three would have their eyes opened to the love all around them.

Woo Do Hwan’s performance was mesmerizing even when Hae Jo behaved liked a self-centered jerk. He has a way of making any character sympathetic and did the same here which was a momentous task as Hae Jo spent much of his time hurting others. Oh Jung Se had the difficult job of making a middle-aged man who could not stand up to his mother likeable. Heung was such a compassionate character that he could set aside his own feelings and respect Jae Mi’s choices. The character that downgraded this drama for me was Jae Mi. I found the writing for her and the acting grating. Jae Mi spent much of her time yelling or acting childlike which caused me to hit the mute button numerous times per episode. All three characters were complicated and flawed, having been wounded by their parents. All three were on a journey towards love, growth, and forgiveness. Though much of the growth was understandable, there was some that felt unearned.

Mr. Plankton was an uneven drama with moments of humor, sorrow, and love driven by Woo Do Hwan’s compelling performance. The specter of Death lingered in the shadows from beginning to end. Hae Jo’s vision of what was important cleared as his final days approached. Family isn’t always what we’re born into, sometimes it’s what we make it.

“Never set a destination. Just let your instincts take the lead for you. That way you’ll never lose your path.”

11 November 2024

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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

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