Mr. Plankton (2024)

So funny, but my tears are falling

I usually wouldn't want to watch a tragic drama like this, but after seeing a clip of it, I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I watched it — it was truly the right decision.

It all starts with the very quirky character names, like Hae Jo, which in Korean sometimes sounds like a word for asking for help. Then there's Jae Mi, which sounds like the word for "funny" in Korean, Eo Heung, which sounds like the growl of a tiger, and the comedic highlight is in the name John Na.

This drama really showcases both the romantic comedy and dark comedy genres, making you shake your head as you watch. The most impressive part for me is that I could easily enjoy the presence of all the characters. There really are no "useless characters" in this drama, as each one has solidified their existence with a very unique personality.

It's an odd kind of love triangle, but it gets resolved in a satisfying way. And once again, Oh Jung Se is in a great drama. His character reminds me of Sang Tae (maybe because the writer is the same), but a wiser version (when he's not being a fool in love), similar to his role in Revenant.

I’ve never really connected with Woo Do Hwan’s dramas, but in this one, I was completely mesmerized by him. ((Even though I’m sure Hae Jo hardly ever showers, lol)). Hae Jo’s character really hits that frustration point for me. I thought, how could the writer torture a character this much? Of all the dramas I’ve watched, I feel like Hae Jo is the most unfortunate character (previously, it was Gu Sanyeong in Revenant).

But I think maybe Hae Jo is just someone who easily finds joy... (well, the smell of fried chicken is enough to make him follow a stranger). Even at the end, he feels like his life is more than enough. He says that the last moments of his life were really cool and fun. Even though he wishes he could live longer... well... sigh.

Maybe I also feel that Hae Jo’s life up until now is like a bonus, because if he had gone with his mother to see the stars back then, he probably would have died with her.

I’ve never doubted Lee Yoo Mi’s acting. The first time I saw her in a web drama, she already stood out compared to other actresses in web dramas. In this drama, her smile is so sweet, completely different from her role in All of Us Are Dead (ugh). She’s the cute and naive one — a perfect description for her character, Jo Jae Mi.

Unlike Hae Jo, who is so avoidant with everyone, probably because he’s afraid of being hurt again, Jae Mi is someone who never gives up, has no fear, and is naive. I feel like the word "give up" doesn’t exist in her vocabulary. She’s such a mentally strong character.

With all the bad luck she’s had, including early menopause, I’d say the writer was really too harsh on her, giving her a condition like that when all she wants is a family. But even so, she still manages to smile through it all. Her smile isn’t to hide sadness, but to express sincere and true happiness.

Jae Mi seems to say, "Okay, let’s try another way!"

What happens between Hae Jo and Jae Mi is definitely unfair to Eo Heung. But as a viewer, I also support them getting back together. Their relationship is so funny, but why is the writer so cruel to them? Eo Heung’s love for Jae Mi is truly sincere.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Kim Min Suk in a K-drama. Even though his character here is somewhat similar to his roles in other dramas, this type of character is definitely the one that suits him best. His relationship with Hae Jo is one of love and hate. He always insults Hae Jo, but he’s the kind of person who would risk his life to help him.

Lee El always nails the role of a cool and quirky woman. Bong Suk really is a turning point for Hae Jo. Hae Jo would probably be dead or even become a criminal if he hadn’t met Bong Suk. Regardless of her job, Bong Suk truly sees Hae Jo as her child. The love from someone with no blood relation is immeasurable. This is so different from Jae Mi’s biological mother, who abandoned her for the second time.

I was initially suspicious of Hae Jo’s real mother, thinking she would immediately tell her husband and have Hae Jo abandoned. But it turns out she hid it (though stressed) and protected Hae Jo so that he wouldn’t be abandoned by his father, who at that time was overly concerned with his image. Even in the end, she still wanted to be with Hae Jo, which is why she invited him to go with her. Her position as a mother was really complicated, although the clinic is the one most at fault! How could they mix it up? — so stupid, ugh!

I like the resolution of this drama because the search for Hae Jo’s biological father only reaches a third party. So, the duration of the drama wasn’t wasted just searching for people. I think it’s because that’s not what’s really important. In the end, Hae Jo just wanted to meet his father again, no matter what, because his happiest memories were with that father — not his biological father, who only passed on misfortune to him.

I also like the open ending that doesn’t tell us whether Hae Jo truly dies at that moment or if he just faints like before. I think that’s the perfect ending. Whatever happens after that, the important thing is that Hae Jo’s bad memories have been replaced with beautiful ones.

Hae Jo is with the people he loves, and who love him back, in the end. This drama kind of shows that the saying "blood is thicker than water" isn’t always true.

As someone who’s always skeptical about Netflix originals (since some have been disappointing), I can confidently say that this is the best Netflix original drama I’ve ever watched in terms of plot and execution. The visuals and sound quality are top-notch (a trademark of Netflix). The story is quirky in a typical Netflix way, but it doesn’t make you furrow your brows. Instead, it makes you laugh, cry, and get angry. The emotional side of the story really hits, even with such a quirky plot.

The actors and actresses in this drama have amazing acting skills. Literally, every character is well-played. The plot is fun but not light, diving into different types of families, parents, and human nature.

This drama is both emotional and enjoyable to watch, to the point where I just watched it without taking the time to judge. I was completely immersed in the plot and emotions. Among the many great dramas that aired this year, I can confidently say that this is the best drama I’ve watched in 2024.

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