The Potato Lab

I haven't laughed this hard at a Kdrama in a long time. It is just what I needed. The female character is over the top but that in no way ruins the story. I have loved Kang Tae-oh since Attorney Woo and he is the reason I chose this show to be my next watch, even though it wasn't released all at once and it is hard to wait for the next episodes to drop.

The whole ensemble from the Potato Lab to the roommates to the villagers is just a riot. Three separate possible romances also add flavor to the drama. Enough intrigue and hints from the past keep you wondering how it will all come together. I will keep watching as now it is taking a more serious turn in the romance of the two leads. Don't give up on this for any reason. It is a delight!

Am up to episode 7. The series started slow and seemed a bit tacky; I wasn't sure I wanted to invest my time after episode 1 but I stuck it out and boy does it pay off! A love quadrangle, some absolutely hilarious physical comedy and randomly joyful moments (if you like offbeat humour) that appear out of nowhere mid-scene making me laugh out loud, and blazing chemistry between the two leads. While the female lead (Lee Sun Bin) starts out as unlikeable in the first episode, she makes a meal out of her role as the series continues - she is incredibly versatile, tender, ferocious, funny, vulnerable and absolutely brilliant with her comedic timing. The male lead (Kang Tae Oh) doesn't have much to do but look good and smoulder - and boy does he smoulder. I must say, though, that he's pretty game to be ridiculous every once in a while in this role. This series is carried on the shoulders of Lee, and she delivers. The rest of the cast is good; not all necessary characters (e.g. The ex-wife of a protagonist) but maybe there's a payoff that I will see as the series progresses. The writing is uneven - the female characters are well written but the male characters are all really one-dimensional and it's a bit irksome. There are some lovely moments of sensitivity and intelligence in the writing, but again, an equal measure of really flat plot lines. Still, I'm hooked for episode 8 and I can't wait to see the villains get their comeuppance (as I am hoping as with all good k-dramas, the couple come together and soundly trounce their common enemy - after a few misunderstandings of course). God I love the predictability of Korean romcoms!

UPDATE 8 April 2025: Just finished the series. I take back what I said about predictable plot lines! This series ends so sweetly - and totally unlike your typical kdrama after all. This really is an intelligently written series with some really sweet moments. Kang Tae Oh turns in a superb performance in the last few episodes, matching Lee Sun Bin'd energy and passion. The second female and female lead are delightful as well with great comedic timing. As for the other cast - now I want to see a spin off about them!

If "Potato Lab" were a dish, it'd be a bold fusion of science, creativity, and quirky humor. This series dives deep into the bizarre yet fascinating world of experimental science, making even the mundane potato the star of a thrilling narrative. Each episode feels like a chaotic, yet well-orchestrated science fair, where experiments are both awe-inspiring and laugh-out-loud funny. The characters, equal parts eccentric and relatable, add depth to this scientific rollercoaster. From crafting impossible inventions to solving mysteries with a side of potato puns, "Potato Lab" captures the imagination with its unique blend of education and entertainment. Whether you're a science geek or just someone looking for a good laugh, it's a series that leaves a lasting impression.

I don't really understand dramas guys, but there's something strange about this series.

What's wrong with the female character?

Her emotions are too high, and her make-up is too much, isn't it? Seriously, when she just woke up, her eyeshadow was very obvious.

And the romance is very slow.

The male character is also the same, why is he so unstable? Sometimes he seems to like her but sometimes he distances himself. So this series is very boring. Im sorry to say.

If I watch other series, I don't feel like it's the last episode, but this time, why is it still in this episode?

Maybe next time, the female character can be made a little more innocent.

It's a drama leaning heavily on the comedy and it actually works, only to the detriment of showing us real people to root for. The comedy takes up so much space that there almost isn't any left for real talk and real issues, and whatever pops up, and there actually is quite a lot to delve into, is brushed aside after a few dramatic scenes for some more comic relief. So it left me dissatisfied with how some of the conflicts are resolved.

Mi-kyung gets over So Baek-ho's past actions too easily, apparently because his looks are lethal and she just cannot stay mad at him. On-ju's betrayal barely registers, when in fact On-ju could have spared her months of her doubting herself and stumbling in the dark. For all of Mi-kyung's verbal and physical abuse, she seems to forgive and forget all too easily, which in the real world would actually make her a doormat. Plus her brother is solely used for comic relief and I really felt for that poor guy. The chairman's daughter is excused for forcing herself into a man's life just because she was madly in love.

So it's a drama that you're not supposed to take seriously really, so the dramatic moments do not get much of a resolution, although I must say the acting is pretty good and effective, for both the comedy and the drama. Mi-kyung abuses her eyebrow movements a little too much and also there's no real explanation as to where her tattooed eyebrows went from one episode to the next, but let's chalk that up to the comedy, which I believe was the intended purpose. I appreciated that the lead actress has a distinct look that sets her apart from the general leading ladies of k-drama.

The ending made no sense, I don't get how they got those jobs, but again I'm overthinking things.

They're cute, it works, I was waiting every week for the two episodes, not each episode was worth the wait, but there is some magic at play here.