Mr. Plankton: Best Korean Drama Series Review 2025

Review of Korean Drama “Mr. Plankton” 2024

Introduction

Are you ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions? “Mr. Plankton” is a 2024 South Korean television series that brings together elements of romantic comedy and dark comedy to create a compelling narrative that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Written by Jo-young, directed by Hong Jong-chan, and graced with a talented ensemble cast, including Woo Do-hwan, Lee Yoo-mi, Oh Jung-se, and Kim Hae-sook, “Mr. Plankton” takes viewers on an unforgettable journey filled with poignant moments and unexpected twists.

Plot and Characters

The series revolves around Hae-jo, a man who discovers he was the result of an incorrect artificial insemination and is now facing a terminal illness. In a surprising turn of events, Hae-jo embarks on a poignant and comical last journey of life, accompanied by Jae-mi, a woman who is grappling with her own medical issues.

The characters are brought to life by a stellar cast, with Woo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-mi delivering captivating performances that skillfully capture the complexities of their respective roles. From Hae-jo’s poignant introspections to Jae-mi’s emotional journey, the characters are compelling and relatable, drawing viewers into their world and evoking empathy and understanding.

Themes and Impact

At its core, “Mr. Plankton” delves into themes of mortality, resilience, and the human spirit’s capacity for love and companionship. Through the characters’ journey, the series masterfully explores the depths of human emotions, offering a poignant reflection on life, love, and the fragile nature of existence.

The narrative beautifully intertwines moments of laughter and tears, as the characters navigate the challenges of their circumstances while holding onto hope and finding joy in unexpected places. The series offers a nuanced portrayal of the human experience, captivating audiences with its compelling storytelling and powerful emotional resonance.

Production and Cinematography

Visually stunning and artistically crafted, “Mr. Plankton” showcases the beauty of South Korea while immersing viewers in the emotional landscape of the characters’ journey. The captivating cinematography and meticulous attention to detail in production design elevate the storytelling, enriching the viewing experience and bringing the characters’ world to life.

The series effortlessly transitions between heartwarming moments and lighthearted comedy, creating a dynamic tapestry that keeps viewers engaged and emotionally invested. Every frame is imbued with meaning, drawing audiences deeper into the characters’ struggles and triumphs, creating an immersive and unforgettable viewing experience.

Reception and Impact

Despite being embroiled in minor controversies, “Mr. Plankton” received critical acclaim for its compelling narrative, exceptional performances, and emotional depth. It resonated with audiences around the world, earning a spot on Time Magazine’s list of “The 10 Best K-Dramas of 2024,” further solidifying its impact and relevance in the realm of Korean television.

The series’ ability to blend romantic and dark comedy with introspective storytelling has raised the bar for future productions, setting a new standard for emotionally resonant and thought-provoking narratives in the realm of Korean dramas.

Mr. Plankton | Official Trailer | Netflix EN-SUB

Watch This on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt4wezFpLvA

A man plagued by misfortune and his ex, the unluckiest bride-to-be, are forced to accompany one another on the final journey of his life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Mr. Plankton” is a poignant and masterfully crafted series that transcends the boundaries of traditional romantic and dark comedy. With its compelling storyline, exceptional performances, and breathtaking cinematography, the series offers a profound exploration of the human experience, tugging at the heartstrings of audiences and leaving a lasting impression that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love. Whether you’re a fan of Korean dramas or simply in search of a moving and thought-provoking narrative, “Mr. Plankton” is a must-watch that is sure to linger in your heart long after the final credits roll.

Review by People

Tragically Beautiful..

Mr. Plankton was a total gem from start to finish.. It truly set a high standard.. Delivered quality in every departments.. From start to finish there were no bad scenes.. No bad characters.. And not a single bad performance from any of the actors..

Each actor brought depth and authenticity to their role.. Made them essential to the story no matter how small their screentime is.. Cinematography was impressive.. The romance was just chaotic.. Messy and yet strangely perfect.. They were a chaotic couple.. And funny even when they shouldnt be.. And come on what more can you expect from a drama that had two marriages in the first episode and The ML kidnapped both the brides.. It was a rollercoaster of chaos and fun..

The first scene itself screamed ‘ No happy ending here ‘.. And that was actually the way to go.. The entire story leading to that last moment.. ‘ His Death ‘.. That was the perfect ending.. No miracle cure.. Nothing magical.. Just a journey filled with Love..
Comedy and Pure Messy Romance..

At one point.. I genuinely feared that WDH wasnt just acting.. Maybe he was actually going through something himself.. He was that good.. He was really living the character..

The scene where Jae Mi kissed Hae Jo at that the bus stop after kidnapping him from the hospital honestly didnt feel like it was scripted.. It felt real.. As real as it can be.. Such a perfect moment..

And the last scene..

” In the end.. You are the final scene of my life.. I guess that means i had a pretty good life.. “

What a powerful way to end the story.. The ending was expected but heartbreaking nonetheless..

Overall.. Another strong contender for drama of the year.. Loved the characters journey and their warm connection and relationship with each other.. WDH certainly deserves an award for his performance here.. And kudos to the writer for that ending.. This drama is going to stay with me for a long time..

They entered our lives so effortlessly.. And in just ten episodes.. They left us shattered and aching..

Balancing angst and comedy

Combining the angsty plot of terminal illness while also trying to maintain loud and slapstick humor is a very difficult feat but Mr. Plankton managed to do it extremely well. The humorous scenes are laugh-out-loud funny, while the sad scenes still hit really hard, and I never felt like I was getting whiplash between them.

As much as I love green flag MLs, I do think several kdramas have overcorrected recently; it’s actually refreshing to get a drama that gives both its leads stories that have equal weight, and to see an ML that has more purpose than to just be in love with the FL. With that being said, Hae-jo’s character is absolutely the best part of this show, and WDH plays him to perfection.

I feel a little more mixed on the other characters, to be honest. While I liked Jae-mi’s plot, I wish we focused more on her desire to be a mother and have a family. The flashback we got of her at the orphanage is extremely touching. Instead, it seems like we get a lot of her relationship with Eo Heung and his mother. I don’t necessarily dislike this, but it’s weird.

The drama does a fantastic job of making Heung a sympathetic character. His capacity for love is so great and his relationship with his mother goes through such important development, but I still never quite felt the emotions of it, not when Jae-mi and Hae-jo’s dynamic is so strong and heart-wrenching. I also felt liek the love triangle was dragged out just a little too long; we saw clips of Jae-mi/Heung and they’re cute but as a viewer I never once believed that they belonged together.

I did, however, still enjoy the humorous scenes with the three of them, and I almost wish we got a longer road trip type plot, with a new character (Gi-ho, Bong-suk) joining them in the car ride to each next sperm donor. It would have made the party scene at the end feel more meaningful, because I actually don’t think we saw them spend much time together before then.

Overall, I think the first half worked better for me. Something about the bickering and the chaos was just so fun, whereas the last few episodes seems to have Hae-jo leaving Jae-mi stranded as a plot point multiple times. The ending also needed to be extended a little longer for things to get tied up. The plot is pretty outlandish — sometimes it works because it absolutely leans into it, and sometimes I had to remind myself “this is a DRAMA and that’s why Hae-jo is still allowed to drive.” Either way, it’s fun.

Wowzer. After recently watching the show for the second time, I think it’s absolutely fabulous. It has it all – drama, tears, depth, light, humour, a love story, growth… It also has the best OST of any Kdrama I’ve watched so far thanks to Junha Park. So, going forward it’ll be my recommendation for a gateway show to friends who haven’t dipped their toes into Kdrama, or looked further than squid game, and aren’t sold on the idea of 16 x 1.5hr episodes…

Wu Du Hwan deserves all the awards for his performance but the three leads (Oh Jung Se is more than a support and I loved him here!) we’re all flawless with not a single weak link in the supporting cast, from Bong Suk and Ji Ho to the mysterious John Na! Perfection.

I also loved the title of the show, which I thought was explained beautifully by Hae Jo in the show, plankton are seemingly tiny and insignificant creatures, literally at the bottom of the food chain, but they are a vital part of the ecosystem, much like a Hae Jo himself, who could be looked down on for his early life story and his roguish ways, but he’s the lifeblood of his circle, as we see at the end (sob!).

The second hand shoes Hae Jo bought Jae Mi were also a beautiful metaphor, I loved them and how much she loved them too and her, she was a refreshingly un-put together FL who wore her heart on her sleeve.