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Fun and Quirky
I was drawn to this drama for the supernatural element and the aesthetic.I rather liked the world-building and was left wanting to see more of this world, so I’m glad there will be a second season.
NJH is not a favorite of mine and I think she was fairly weak here. She’s pretty bland. I also didn’t care for her character that much. Yes, the witch should tell people what the consequences will be in order for their wishes to come true, but I found the ending confirming her viewpoint that the price was too high unsatisfying. The whole point is that we all make choices and that sometimes things come with a high price. The drama basically ended with the notion that we should get something for nothing. I guess that should satisfy a previous reviewer who felt if one has the power to grant wishes, there should be no cost, but it didn’t satisfy me. I also worry about how a second season will go with a witch who is essentially a fairy godmother.
I know it was apparently controversial, but I was not put off by the age difference in the potential romance and thought Gil Young was one of the better parts of this drama. I only wished Jung Jin would have shown more interest in him. He radiates warmth and his devotion to her is swoon-worthy. On her end, she’s not exactly a high-flying career woman, so I did not feel as if they were all that far apart.
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Avis Complet:
https://lamagiedeshistoires.wordpress.com/2023/12/24/the-witchs-diner-avis/
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Fun Watch about Desires, Revenge, and Consequenes
This is an enjoyable, short watch about a Witch who grants wishes that come at a cost, and the the people she comes across in her life. Song Ji Hyo and the set designers/costume designers kill it with the Witch aesthetic. The acting is well done and the story has a sensible beginning, middle, and end, which is excellent for an 8 episode affair. The OST fits the fantastical, eerie setting, but was nothing too big to write home about. I found the ending to be a tad contrived, but I can't really fault it too much. Overall, a great experience that doesn't require too much of a time commitment.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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Quick Watch, Interesting premise, Great Acting
8/10 is my rating. This is a 2021 South Korean Supernatural Fantasy drama with 8, 44 minute episodes.Jo Hee-ra (Song Ji-Hiyo) is more than just the cook of a diner, she is a witch who bakes up special dishes designed to fulfill the wish of the desperate diners who come through the door. The price varies by customer as do the wishes but be careful what you wish for as the cost is something very dear. Jeong Jin (Nam Ji-hyun) is one such unfortunate soul whose price is to become an employee of the diner. Practically everything goes wrong in her life - her long time boyfriend dumps her and her job lets her go. So she figures, what does she have to lose? Jeong Jin befriends Lee Gil-yong (Chae Jong-hyeop) when she comes across a bullying situation. She sees herself something like an older sister but that is not how he sees her. He makes a mysterious wish himself and winds up a part time employee at the diner. The situation is just fine by him as he just wants to be by Jeong Jin.
Spoilers**I liked the premise of this and found the "cases" to be very interesting. It worked fine as a shorter series and was surprisingly able to completely tell the story. I think there was room to make it a longer series. It seems whomever is the witch is destined to not find her dream herself and it was disappointing that Jeong Jin and Gil-yong also followed the path of the witch and assistant. I always prefer a sweet romantic ending though. Still it wrapped up nicely, was an interesting storyline, and checked all the boxes otherwise. If you go into it knowing there will not be a romantic happy ending - perhaps it would not be as disappointing. I would recommend this as a quick and entertaining watch with an interesting premise.
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Good Enough
Korean Mini Drama 'The Witch's Diner' is a drama with many layers. The main story is pretty interesting, with a witchy atmosphere, beautiful settings and intriguing characters. The short make a wish stories were all interesting, in addition, and they helped the drama move forward and keep being entertaining throughout its length.The performances were a key element for this drama as well. Especially the leading lady, she was amazing as the mystical, freaky and dynamic witch and she didn't resemble any of her previous roles.
So, overall, 8 out of 10.
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Preliminary 10 STARS.EDIT: (2021-08-31) Great show. I wish there were more episodes. 10/10 Stars well deserved by the cast, crew, and writers.
EDIT: (2021-08-08) The show maintains 10/10 Stars as of Episode 6. Witch's Diner maintains the plot with more surprises around the corner. The pacing of the show is steady and keeps one interested. Song Ji Hyo, Nam Ji Hyun, and Chae Jong Hyeop (as well as supporting cast) acting is low-key (subdued) yet strong. All deliver excellent performances.
I'm four episodes on in and I don't know where this show is going. That is a good thing. Why? If you can not tell where a show is going, then the show is a SURPRISE. Constantly chasing that surprise around the next corner. Then the next corner. And the next corner. And the next... Some shows end up going nowhere as the meander, confusing, never being coherent in plot and direction. Witch's Diner is not that type of show (so far). Instead, Witch's Diner has direction and plot without the confustion.
I must admit that I had my doubts and skepticism when reading the premise of Witch's Diner. No longer.
CASTING
The cast? Song Ji Hyo exudes and embodies the mysterious. Nam Ji Hyun... becomes the mystery by episode four - the full embodiment of mystery. A mystery hinted out only before in episode three. A mystery, that by episode four, I want to solve. Chae Jong Hyeop... just when I thought I had him figured out... no I don't. Twist o' plot that you will have to watch the show to see. Ahn Eun Jin in the guest role in episode four? Thumbs up to her. Kang Gi Doon makes appearances; again, another thumbs up.
WRITING
Lee Young Sook keeps a steady pace. Dialogue is solid, the twists are low-key yet impactful. I want more. The pace of Witch's Diner, determined by the writer & director (So Jae-Hyun), is enough to keep people coming back for more of the same. So far.
EXCEPTIONS TO SURPRISES
At one point in Episode four, I guessed where the wish fulfillment was going. Hoping against hope that Ahn Eun Jin's - shout out for her excellent portrayal in guest role - character was not going to ask for what she wanted. Yet, the "train kept traveling down the tracks, I had nowhere to go, except to be run over". Even though I had a good idea of what was coming? I was left wishing it was not going to be so. Yet it was.
A SUPERNATURAL PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR SHOW? NOT QUITE.
That last sentence in the paragraph concerning the train is an example of how The Witch's Diner is in some ultra-subtle way, a supernatural psychological horror show. Without the blood - okay, there is some, guts - fingers don't count (I am talking "guts" as in "intestines splayed out everywhere"), without chainsaws & implements of torture... a sort of supernatural psychological horror that is so low-key as to be missed if one is not paying attention. I would like it if further episodes keep up the very low intensity supernatural psychological horror. Perhaps, "horror" is the wrong word; in which something more soft should be considered. Hmmm... living with the consequences... responsibility as horror. With fate mixed in.
PRODUCTION, ATMOSPHERE
Production value? Top notch. The set embodies the show. Somehow mixing, in my opinion, hope & gloom. The sets are not over the top. The few instances of special effects are nice if a little flashy for my taste. Camera work is very, very good.
A COMMENT ON NAM JI HYUN'S ACTING & ROLES
On another website, someone was complaining that Nam Ji Hyun always plays the same characters in different shows. Yet, that commentor admitted to not being able to stop watching the show. Nam Ji Hyun as a certain presence on film. Perhaps a certain expression of method acting. I find that her characters are different enough as Nam Ji Hyun portrays them - from being the "dirty former judo college athlete turned lawyer suspected of murder" in Suspicious Partner to her now playing her role in Witch's Diner. She plays each character with a certain finesse sufficiently enough to make each of her roles, memorable; differentiating each of her roles from show to show. Examples of famous method actors include Al Pacino and Jason Statham. No, I'm not saying that the three are comparable. Here's to Nam Ji Hyun not being pigeon-holed into acting only in one role or style of acting from show to show. She's talented, her characters are memorable, Nam Ji Hyun makes her roles. I look forward to her acting ability in the future.
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Too short, but good!
I really liked this show. I felt like it was pretty realistic (well, for a show about magic). It had a good balance of life consequences and happiness. I think it's too short - it would have been nicer if it was more fleshed out and we got more explanations or background about certain characters - but nonetheless very good. I felt that the ending was missing something (don't know what to be honest, but I felt like it was resolved too quickly) but I still really enjoyed it. If there was a sequel (or a prequel), I'd watch it.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
Be careful what you wish for
Feel Good drama for the soulThe Witch's Diner: This Drama
OVERVIEW:
1-2 Episodes; Great
5-7th Episode; Getting there
8thth Episode; good finish with the potential for S2
Likes:
1)feel Good Stories
2) all connected stories
3)Acting
4)Writing
5)every episode had its own nuance
6) the old lady story and school kid story were the highlights
Dislikes:
1) maybe 12 Episodes would have been good
OVERALL:
WELL WORTH YOUR TIME
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Feel Good drama for the soul
The Witch's Diner: This Drama
OVERVIEW:
1-2 Episodes; Great
5-7th Episode; Getting there
8thth Episode; good finish with the potential for S2
Likes:
1)feel Good Stories
2) all connected stories
3)Acting
4)Writing
5))every episode had its own nuance
6)the old lady story and school kid story were the highlights
Dislikes:
1) maybe 12 Episodes would have been good
OVERALL:
WELL WORTH YOUR TIME
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Beware ofwhat you wish
The pacing is never boring. The actors suit their roles perfectly. So far, so good. I like how Nam Ji Hyun switched her acting to different situations. Song Jihyo is a classy witch. CJY is a natural. So far, the plot is very interesting The school scene about bullying is really heartbreaking and luckily, true friend still does exist. If I see a witch as pretty as SJY, I ill be scared but can easily adore her. I can only give final review when the 8 episodes are finished. I look forward to the next episodes... I have been waiting for this series.. It was worth the wait........Babeth from the PhilippinesVond je deze recentie nuttig?
El verdadero precio de los deseos de venganza
Me gusto mucho este drama, aunque la trama fue muy apresurada creo que las actuaciones estuvieron correctas, acorde a lo que el drama pedía, sin dudas se me hizo muy corto y me gustaría una segunda temporada donde se pueda abordar un nuevo arco argumental con la nueva bruja dueña del restaurant y su nueva sombra.En fin el drama es bueno y entretenido, con unos mensajes interesantes, un genero entretenido como el de las brujas ( tiene su propia mandragora que hablaaaa *grito de fan de harry potter*). actuaciones correctas y invitados muy buenos con historias bonitas.
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Not worth the time for me
I am probably the wrong person to review this, because I dislike revenge dramas. There is enough pettiness and misery in a normal life to make it unnecessary to add to it, even in the shows we choose to watch. Overall, I found this to be mean spirited and rather unpleasant. People brought their wishes to the diner and usually had to pay some unpleasant price, which just seemed unnecessary. If you have powers like that, why extract a painful price from people who are just trying to make their lives a little better? This thread of unkindness held to the end, and there was really nothing redeeming about it.For what it is, it's reasonably well done although the writing was unoriginal. If it hadn't ended after 8 episodes, i would have dropped it after 5 or 6, because I don't need to add misery to my days. YMMV, depending on your taste for revenge and pettiness.
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