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I was excited to watch the drama
because of Seo Ji Hye. I was attached to her character in “Crash Landing on
You” and I was hoping that she would finally have a happy or better ending this
time. To be honest, before watching the show, I already skimmed the original
webtoon and I was satisfied to find out that the end part was a happy ending. I
am such a foodie and I look forward to seeing mouthwatering dishes in the show.
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Song Seung Hoon is new to me. I have not watched any of his dramas. “Black” and “The Player” is still on my watch list.
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So Na Sun is also new to me. I have not watched any of her works as well. Honestly, I thought at first that she is too young to be cast as the ex-girlfriend of Song Seung Hoon.
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On the other hand, Lee Ji Hoon is one of my favorite Korean drama actors. He played his hateful characters in “Legend of the Blue Sea” and “Woman of 9.9 Billion” so well. His upright character in “Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung” was so admirable. He is like a calm tiger when it comes to acting.
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The first episode did not captivate me and I decided to drop it. Probably, it was because of the tropey storyline and my watching time, which was 1:00 AM. Days passed, I found out all of my cousins were loving the show. They were gushing about it and I cannot join the discussion. I decided to continue watching the drama so that I can relate with my cousins. To my surprise, I was enjoying it. I did not notice that I was smiling and laughing while watching the drama. It has grown a lot to me.
Five Things That I Love In Dinner Mate:
1. Sassy and Mature Woo Doo Hee
Seo Ji Hye’s character was probably the reason why I was able to love the show. There was a balance of maturity and sassiness in her character. She was not the stereotypical romantic comedy heroine. I love that she was not the weeping and jealous female character whenever her boyfriend is meeting and talking with his ex-girlfriend. I actually did not complain that she is somewhat virginal in the drama. She is the type of person who is smart, and not easily swayed with sweet gestures. I also love that she was honest and was not afraid to speak her heart out and address issues. Her sassiness also gave the show some colors. She and Ye Ji Won have great sister chemistry. One of the funniest scenes was when she stood up on the desk, threw a fist in the air, led the charge, and promised that B-comedy will never die. It was hilarious!
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| Photo Credits: MBC |
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They are just charming together.
Kim Hae Kyung, played by Song Seung Hoon, was such boyfriend material. He loves
her, drives her home, and cooks for her. His sweet gestures to Doo Hee and shy
smile are just swoon-worthy. In real life, Seo Ji Hye is 35-years old, while Song Seung Hoon
is 43-years old. It was somewhat unusual that even though they are not young anymore,
I find them adorable as a couple.
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Another bizarre character from Ye Ji Won yet again! She played the character of A-Young. Whenever I see Yee Ji Won on screen, I always call her “Jennifer” because of her iconic role in “Thirty But Seventeen”. She always portrays her roles effortlessly. I love that she is a woman who does not discriminate when it comes to love. Her love story with the homeless Keanu, played by Park So Han, was such a comedic relief. I love the fact that they became dinner mates and became a couple in the end.
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| Photo Credits: MBC |
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4. Catchy OSTs
I watch the drama every 1:00 AM. Whenever I hear the song “Yummy Yummy” by MC Mong, it gives me the energy to finish watching the drama. I could not help myself but dance to the beat of the music. You can relate to me if you watch the show.
“Dear My Star” by Sondia is another OST that I love. It gives a romantic and mellifluous sound. It reminds me of the Crash Landing On You’s OST “Here Again” by Baek Ye Rin.
5. Lee Ji Hoon's Excellent Acting
In an acting perspective, Lee Ji Hoon shone in the drama. He played the role of Jung Jae Hyuk. His character as the delusional and self-obsessed ex-boyfriend was horrible. However, as much as I hate his character in the drama, he really CRUSHED IT! I was awed, terrified, and felt pity with his character. The highs and lows of his character were laid out so well. It will be no surprise if he wins an acting award for this.
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| Photo Credits: MBC |
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Other Things To Watch Out For:
1. 2N BOX's B-Class Comedy Shows
It was a crazy media company. Be prepared to witness odd and funny scenes such as putting a plunger on a baldhead and pulling it off, smashing makeups in a huge container, and putting smelly foods in one plate to test which food is the smelliest.
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2. The Crash Landing On You Parody
I enjoyed this mini-scene parody to "Crash Landing On You:". Fun fact, both Seo Ji Hye and Go Gyu Pil were part of this highly popular drama. Seo Ji Hye played as a North-Korean heiress while Go Gyu Pil played as Son Ye Jin’s secretary. In Episode 16, while doing a past life regression method, Woo Do Hee’s voice changed into a North Korean accent. Kim Hae Kyung in military uniform appeared in her dreams, calling her “Dan”. Crash Landing On You’s OST “Flower “by Yoon Mi Rae was played in the background.
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3. Sandara Park Cameo
As a Filipino, I am proud to see Kpop superstar Sandara Park on screen again. She played the role of a woman who was suffering from an eating disorder. I feel like she really had a great time shooting this drama.
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1. "Unwanted love is not real love, it is violence." - Kang Gun Woo
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Noh Eul: You are the same. Your
pride is more important to you than me. That is why you cannot forgive me.
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"Dinner Mate" has a tropey storyline but the level of maturity of the protagonist made the show satisfying. I love that whenever there are problems with the relationship, they address it and trust each other. The exes really did a great job making me hate them but it was relieving that they were able to learn from their mistakes in the end. The melodramatic turn and TOD or Truck of Doom were criticized by the netizens. But what is a Kdrama without some melancholic themes and TOD?! I commend how the show did not go to the usual “amnesia” or “coma” storyline after the TOD. They wrapped it well and focused on the love storyline. It was not a perfect show. It has some plot missteps such as Wo Do Hee’s flawed logic of lying to Kim Hae Kyung. Further, when Kim Hae Kyung beat his patient Jung Hae Kyung, I was somewhat shocked to see that a psychiatrist beat his patient but I understand where he was coming from. I also felt like knowing the names of each other was dragged longer. I am really expecting more food features in the drama. Overall, the show is a charming adult Rom-Com that is worth the gush and swoon!
I give it 8/10!
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| Photo Credits: MBC |
"Dinner Mate" can be streamed via iQIYI.
Written by: Min Jae Park, Kdrama Best Scenes
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