Mr. Plankton: Not A K-Drama, But K-Trauma

This Korean drama on Netflix tells the story of Hae-jo (Woo Do-hwan), an orphan who runs an errand business, and his unexpected "reunion" with ex-girlfriend Jo Jae-mi (Lee You-mi) while searching for his biological father. Sounds simple, right? Not really, considering Jae-mi's fiance Eo Heung (Oh Jung-se) and the ruthless Prince Gang are after the pair as they journey all across South Korea.

Why is reunion in quotes you may ask? Well, the "reunion" is Hae-jo kidnapping Jae-mi. On her wedding day. To a wealthy Korean family obsessed with continuing their lineage. And Jae-mi just discovered that she's unable to get pregnant. The show is full of comedic moments like that; it honestly sounds ridiculous even writing it all. The writers did an incredible job creating impeccable timing within silly circumstances. They merged realism (character personalities, actions) with such surreal events. Watching this show felt like a fever dream, and I loved every second of it. For those who want a quirky watch, this is it. Bride stealing, survival on a deserted island, and a mysterious Korean-American "assassin" who doesn't speak. You get that and so much more.

I said this drama was lighthearted and it is, I swear. But the other half is absolutely devastating. Hae-jo has a terminal brain condition that only gives him months left to live, which is what fuels the search for his father. Now I'm commending the acting from this drama, because it's honestly amazing. The emotions were gorgeously raw: Hae-jo wars with confronting his painful past, Jae-mi is denied her greatest hope of becoming a mother, and Heung's entire lifestyle unexpectedly shifts. The actors masterfully portray the multitude of emotions that are part of the human experience.

The three of them undergo such a heartfelt healing journey through the chaos; it was incredible to watch. They each find some form of closure from their trauma, and create a tumultuous family together. The heart of this show is simply sharing the complexities of life, and it was super entertaining. BUT, the ending was so deplorable. Hae-jo dies right at the moment when he's happiest and the credits roll. Practically, he wasn't gonna survive and I know that. However, it felt like such a betrayal since I had been falling in love with him since the first episode. His standoffish personality hid a heart of gold who would do anything for the people he loved. I felt the ending was too abrupt, and even if the characters got closure, I didn't. It might've destroyed me, but the watch was still worth it.