It was almost criminal how little screentime the main couple got. Every case was more or less the same and that irked me a lot.Ī lot of things were added as useless plot devices and left unexplored. That's because over-doing emotion takes the sincerity out of it. It's the same K-drama tropes over and over again and soon enough you realize that there isn't much of a unique spin on it.Ĭall me heartless but when you show me the same sentimental shit and corny deep dialogues in literally every episode, I'll go from being touched to annoyed real fast. I was really really into it but then the monotony started setting in. It was beautiful and heart-warming to watch.ĭespite being a slow burn in every sense of the word, the show did go pretty fast for me up to about 7 episodes. There was some bromance, sismance, amazing chemistry between the leads and family bonding sprinkled all over it and last but not the least the message it went out to portray was brilliant.ĭespite the inevitablity of death, people can still find moments of happiness. There was food and whole lotta good shots of it which is basically catnip for every foodie out there and me being one, I did a happy dance inside every time I saw someone eating or cooking- which was A LOT. There was Ha Ji Won, who is undeniably my favorite actress and who succeeded in portraying a compassionate, graceful woman to the T. Rewatch Value 1.0 In the beginning, chocolate did have a lot going for it. This drama from beginning to end will try to come for your feelings!!! Make sure you have enough tissues and snacks while watching. Some things were left hanging, which I'm ok with, and it's much more about going on a journey with each character through their personal traumas, dysfunction, and moments of failure and empowerment. If you don't like the mood of the first episode, don't expect it to pick up later. "Chocolate" is a low key melodrama, so there's less excitement and much more contemplation. Death comes up constantly, which could feel therapeutic or like too much. That theme really hits home by the end, and I shed a lot of tears throughout this drama, so I think I would recommend this drama but only with that warning. Overall, I appreciate the main theme of this drama, which is to appreciate every single moment of the life you have and that a fulfilling life is more about love and giving than about how much you can acquire. The story is also pretty typical as far as the "Who's gonna take over the family business" tropes go. I was honestly caught off guard by how sad this was, and I didn't love any part of this drama enough to endure that sadness again. Would I watch this again? I don't think so. At the very least, Netflix definitely knows how to make pretty dramas. I was much more forgiving of certain scenes because of how beautiful it looked. It has a cinematic feel visually which helps with the slow pace. The scenery is amazing and all of the food looks delicious (even stuff I don't eat). Sooo many chewing scenes! It's about way more than just chocolate too. Yes, this is the kind of drama (like the "Let's Eat" series) that will probably make you very VERY hungry. However, instead of comic relief, this drama's most uplifting moments all center around food. The story is this dramas weakest point for me, not because it's a bad story, but more because of how somber and standard it is. I blame that more on the writing than the cast. although The Lee family did seem a bit cliché at times with their typical greed and scheming. The cast is also full of great performances by the supporting cast as patients, staff, and relatives. To me Jang Seung Jo as Lee Joon is definitely the standout, playing a role he's so good at, the "rich guy rival" (like his performance in "Money Flower"). I also liked the rest of the cast as well. It also builds very slowly, and although I didn't mind the pace, it definitely made me watch more casually instead of being excited to watch each new episode. There's the expected destiny theme as well. They do have pretty good chemistry, and I liked their story in general, but there is way more heaviness and sadness than butterflies in their story. This matches the mood of Yoon Kye Sang as Lee Kang as well, who is equally somber and melancholy. I decided to watch this because of Ha Ji Won, one of my favorites, and she does a great job as Cha Young even though her character is pretty one-note, basically melancholy and apologetic. Instead expect a lot more sadness and internal monologues. There are also other very sad themes like abandonment and trauma, so if you're looking for a lighthearted romcom this ain't it. This drama presents itself as a mature melodramatic romance, and in a lot of ways it is, but a good portion of this drama also centers around Hospice care, which means a lot of stories about death. Rewatch Value 5.0 I feel like I need to add a warning to my view.
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