7
3
Modern fantasy with a dollop of happy sauce
This is going to be a weird review. Just saying.
I watched 9 eps when it was first released. I then lost track of it when I got swamped by other dramas. I only realised I never finished this series when I read that it has won the 2026 Blue Dragon award for Best Drama! Eh? What?!
Ummm, why am I lying on the floor?
Let's take a step back. This show looks like a workplace sitcom set in a small Korean army border outpost. An unique location and a quirky fish out of water plot is a match Made in Korea.
The ML felt directionless and joins the army after the passing of his father. There are some hazing and an undercurrent of corruption/embezzlement. Our indomitable ML must complete "quests" so that he can "level up" in his journey to become an army master chef(!).
Yes, you read that right. This show is gamified with a virtual AI assistant, power ups, interactive VR like display that only the ML can see and hear. He is rewarded with new recipes, abilities and level up his skills just like a computer game.
There is no explanation why he is the Chosen One nor what is his purpose. He wears no VR glasses, doesn't have implants nor sign of divine intervention. So how does it work? You really have to suspend your disbelief.
This drama is uplifting, funny, heartwarming and sentimental in roughly equal measures. It is a solid production with a decent ensemble cast. Our ML is an idol, but he is not a top star, yet. I don't think they had a big budget, but it was well used. I can't recall any OST.
There is also barely any romance. The ML is supposed to have a girlfriend, or should I say a girl claims to be his girlfriend while he looks on in shock during one early episode. She is doing all the chasing and heavy lifting. Yes, we did get confirmation in the dying minutes of the series, but that is so low key it barely registered. That's fine, it never claims to be a rom-com. Filler subplot, tick.
Just to reinforce that sitcom feel, the show has an episodic structure. The ML will be confronted with a problem/quest per ep, he must overcome it thus earning EXP which allows him to level up. It works and this is how games hook a player. The feedback loop gives you little dopamine hits. The desire to get good and level up smooths out gameplay humps and make mindless grinds bearable.
Here lies my conundrum. After finishing this drama, I can see its good points. The show has a strong Band of Brothers vibe. Enemies becomes friends, friends become buddies. The underdog facing off with the antagonist. Hwaiting! These are all good stuff, if somewhat cliché. There are just enough angst to add some spice. Nothing too dramatic or dangerous. The show aimed to please.
On the flip side, it is hard to ignore the cliché characters and the simplistic world building. All the stereotypes are there. Mildly incompetent commander, earnest platoon leader, cynical career soldier and the practice of jamming square blocks into round holes, army style.
Most of those characters are from central casting. If they have a backstory, it is one sentence long. Of course, most of them have hearts of gold and they are just misunderstood. You get the picture.
OBTW, there are some nice food porn. They feel like magazine shoots. Beautiful and staged. The AI assistant literally tells the ML when the water temperature is perfect and what ingredients to use and their quality/quantity. I want that assistant in my brain, now!
We do see the ML comes full circle in the end. It is a nice touch and is quite sentimental. I appreciated that until the ML’s father shows up and gives him a thumbs up. It is so cheesy.
I can see why the local audiences will give this series bonus points because they can relate to the characters and its many subplots.
In the end, the series is entertaining. It can be a hoot at times and who doesn't want to cheer on an underdog. It also has its flaws. Is it the best k-drama I have watched in the last 12 months? No.
Congratulations to all involved for winning the Blue Dragon. I shall reserve my judgement. Peace.
P.S. There is a strong hint of a second series. I can see it happening.
I watched 9 eps when it was first released. I then lost track of it when I got swamped by other dramas. I only realised I never finished this series when I read that it has won the 2026 Blue Dragon award for Best Drama! Eh? What?!
Ummm, why am I lying on the floor?
Let's take a step back. This show looks like a workplace sitcom set in a small Korean army border outpost. An unique location and a quirky fish out of water plot is a match Made in Korea.
The ML felt directionless and joins the army after the passing of his father. There are some hazing and an undercurrent of corruption/embezzlement. Our indomitable ML must complete "quests" so that he can "level up" in his journey to become an army master chef(!).
Yes, you read that right. This show is gamified with a virtual AI assistant, power ups, interactive VR like display that only the ML can see and hear. He is rewarded with new recipes, abilities and level up his skills just like a computer game.
There is no explanation why he is the Chosen One nor what is his purpose. He wears no VR glasses, doesn't have implants nor sign of divine intervention. So how does it work? You really have to suspend your disbelief.
This drama is uplifting, funny, heartwarming and sentimental in roughly equal measures. It is a solid production with a decent ensemble cast. Our ML is an idol, but he is not a top star, yet. I don't think they had a big budget, but it was well used. I can't recall any OST.
There is also barely any romance. The ML is supposed to have a girlfriend, or should I say a girl claims to be his girlfriend while he looks on in shock during one early episode. She is doing all the chasing and heavy lifting. Yes, we did get confirmation in the dying minutes of the series, but that is so low key it barely registered. That's fine, it never claims to be a rom-com. Filler subplot, tick.
Just to reinforce that sitcom feel, the show has an episodic structure. The ML will be confronted with a problem/quest per ep, he must overcome it thus earning EXP which allows him to level up. It works and this is how games hook a player. The feedback loop gives you little dopamine hits. The desire to get good and level up smooths out gameplay humps and make mindless grinds bearable.
Here lies my conundrum. After finishing this drama, I can see its good points. The show has a strong Band of Brothers vibe. Enemies becomes friends, friends become buddies. The underdog facing off with the antagonist. Hwaiting! These are all good stuff, if somewhat cliché. There are just enough angst to add some spice. Nothing too dramatic or dangerous. The show aimed to please.
On the flip side, it is hard to ignore the cliché characters and the simplistic world building. All the stereotypes are there. Mildly incompetent commander, earnest platoon leader, cynical career soldier and the practice of jamming square blocks into round holes, army style.
Most of those characters are from central casting. If they have a backstory, it is one sentence long. Of course, most of them have hearts of gold and they are just misunderstood. You get the picture.
OBTW, there are some nice food porn. They feel like magazine shoots. Beautiful and staged. The AI assistant literally tells the ML when the water temperature is perfect and what ingredients to use and their quality/quantity. I want that assistant in my brain, now!
We do see the ML comes full circle in the end. It is a nice touch and is quite sentimental. I appreciated that until the ML’s father shows up and gives him a thumbs up. It is so cheesy.
I can see why the local audiences will give this series bonus points because they can relate to the characters and its many subplots.
In the end, the series is entertaining. It can be a hoot at times and who doesn't want to cheer on an underdog. It also has its flaws. Is it the best k-drama I have watched in the last 12 months? No.
Congratulations to all involved for winning the Blue Dragon. I shall reserve my judgement. Peace.
P.S. There is a strong hint of a second series. I can see it happening.
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