Dali and Gamjatang (2021)

Very cute Romance. Meh... everything else.

Dali and the Cocky Prince is a classic opposites-attract RomCom that sucked me in from the start. It's also partially a mystery which both underwhelmed and bored me. This drama doesn't take long to jump into the romantic chemistry part which I loved, and the two leads are quirky in the best way (shout out to whoever styled both character's outfits), but unfortunately, too much of the drama revolves around a mediocre corruption plot that was so uninteresting and repetitive that I was tempted to skip a lot of those scenes, at least the non-comedic ones. The best parts of this drama are when it doesn't take itself seriously.

Park Gyu Young plays Kim Da Li, a rich but odd art expert. It's my first time seeing her as the main female lead, not a supporting lead with unrequited or unfulfilled love (It's Okay to Not Be Okay, The Devil Judge), and she played the role well. It was nice to hear her show off some English fluency and really great outfits, but I did have some issues with the way her character was written. I honestly wondered if Da Li might be slightly autistic at some points. I understand that the character was meant to be sheltered, eccentric, and naive but her extremes were just too intense at times. The innocent wide-eyed blank stare that I've seen Gyu Young do in other dramas didn't help. It made her seem less cute and more "undiagnosed" or "too heavily medicated" or just waaaay off. I liked Da Li but her naiveté and stubbornness also frustrated me A LOT! Speaking of extremes, she is matched with Kim Min Jae as Jin Moo Hak who is super confident, outspoken, and stylishly tacky (although I loved his suits too). Even though his character is meant to be obnoxious, his charm and smile are what stood out the most. Maybe I'm biased because he has my birthday (#teamscorpio), but he was by far my favorite character! He played right at the line of being unapologetically cocky where it was admirable instead of annoying. Together they were a great match, and even at their cheesiest (and it gets very cheesy). They were cute without being too childish and they are what kept me watching. That's a warning to anyone who doesn't like their odd banter from the start, complete with sound effects, arguments, awkward smiles and giggles... if that's the case then you should probably give up on this drama. These are the best parts in my opinion.

There are other good performances in this drama too. Moo Hak's family (especially his Dad), the nosey Museum staff, the nosey restaurant staff, a 2nd lead for each lead, a classic greedy businessman, and a creepy rich ex... most are pretty cliché but the characters are great. My favorite among the supporting cast was Hwang Bo Ra and Moo Hak's secretary. Yes, the roles she plays are often similar (even with short hair and a suit this time), but she is always hilarious. I thought she and Moo Hak made a great team. I do think Kwon Yool as Jang Tae Jin is worth mentioning as well. I think he did a good job too, but I just wish he was a little less dull. I still don't understand why Da Li ever liked him in the first place, or why he was so enamored by her. Maybe if his character was a little creepier, or more charming, I would have been less bored by the rest of that story. Not that I blame him completely. I just think that part of the story wasn't strong enough on its own. Other characters, like both 2nd leads, and Moo Hak's stepbrother could have had slightly stronger storylines to make them feel less like filler characters, but maybe less of them wasn't so bad. I'm glad they weren't used too much to distract from the main couple. I'm glad this drama avoided drawn-out love triangles... besides the main one, which was more a third wheel plot than a real triangle.

The non-romance part of the story is filled with the usual corruption and greed tropes and involves Da Li's dad's death leaving her with a mess of bills, responsibilities, and unanswered questions. When everything starts going wrong for Da Li, instead of actually caring, I was just waiting for Moo Hak to show up. There are no real big plot twists or surprises, just characters finally realizing what's obvious. It is all resolved pretty neatly by the end, which was nice, but the love story is still all I cared about.

Would I watch this again? Sure! Because what I enjoyed the most was the main couple's antics I can see myself rewatching them and just skipping or zoning out during the other parts, Maybe that's too harsh, since some of the other characters are entertaining too, but I think just focusing on the romance would be my only reason to rewatch this. It's also a light drama, which is perfect if you're in between dramas and if you're not in the mood for something too emotionally heavy or serious.

And the soundtrack is pretty good. I didn't fall in love with any of the songs but they fit the drama's mood perfectly. The "don't take it so hard" lyric always seemed to come in right at the perfect time. I also liked the whistled version of the Habanera from Carmen.

Overall, this is a surprisingly good romance drama for what it was, and I would definitely recommend it to light romcom fans. I loved that this felt like a classic romcom, but the leads didn't necessarily follow the predictable romance drama path, even if lots of popular romcom tropes were in full effect throughout. They could have explored classism a little more deeply but that probably would have made the story too serious. Although the premise is a high end spoiled art-world elite vs a low brow hard-working nouveau riche entrepreneur it's really about making a genuine connection unexpectedly and having someone who truly will be there to support you no matter what ( a ride-or-die if you will) who seems all wrong but compliments you perfectly. The take on the art world was a bonus, and also played up for comedy in a way I thought was hilarious, It seemed to be done as a comedic love letter to the art crowd. If this drama was a painting I wouldn't call it a masterpiece by any means but it is the kind of painting that makes me smile when I see it, and that was enough for me.

Oh, and if art isn't your thing, maybe pork is? There's plenty of pork appreciation too lol! I can appreciate both! Win-Win!

Leggi di Più

I have never seen a more genuine couple in my long history with kdramas

Dali and the Cocky Prince is really something special. I've gotten accustomed to writing reviews about dramas that don't offer anything new but are enjoyable nonetheless, but Dali is not that. It's a lot more. Sure the premise is simple and has been done before, but the execution is brilliant. The characters are wonderful, from the leads to the side roles, and they bring the story to life in a way that feels refreshing and new. They're entirely believable.

Moo Hak is an eccentric male lead, which was a really popular trope for a long time, and he's the poster-boy for that trope. He has his tacky, flashy designer suits and his expensive watch, he's extremely bad at English and he's not well-versed in common cultural knowledge and phrases. But his shortcomings are balanced out with his business savvy and his very genuine predisposition. Moo Hak is not a polite man by any means. He's rude and brash and loud, loves money, and commands attention when he walks into a room. But he's honest, more so than anyone else in the drama, and he's passionate about everything he does. Food is important to him. He runs a restaurant chain, never skips a meal and cares not only about how food tastes but also about how well it will fill his customers' stomachs and how affordable it is. And when he's passionate about something, he puts a lot of care into it. And that's just what we learn about him in the first few episodes. The characters are multi-faceted and deep, enough to feel like real people.

Dali, on the other hand, comes from a very different world. Where Moo Hak is uneducated and had a rough childhood working for his father's business, Dali comes from a prestigious family who has owned the Cheonsong museum for generations. She's well-educated and passionate about art but has trouble taking care of herself - even eating and sleeping on her own. Reality hits her when her father passes away suddenly and she's sent from the Netherlands to Korea to deal with the estate, the art museum, and the many debts her father left behind. But she's resilient and determined to take care of the museum that her father loved, even at the expense of all that she has left. To her, Moo Hak is a strange but incredibly interesting man. He makes her laugh and gives her the help that she needs to try to protect Cheonsong, even if the ways he does so are crude and frustrating to her at times.

As I said, the story itself, if you're just looking at it from a plot perspective, is nothing new. It's how it's handled that makes it special. With a drama like this, you can easily look back at your previous experience with similar stories and imagine what plot twists and dramatic turns it's going to take, and know where you're going to end up in the end. Except that a lot of those common pitfalls don't happen here. The misunderstandings, the sudden revelations, the big reveals and family please for the couple to part - all those annoying subjects crop up exactly where you're expecting them to, but Dali isn't so easy, and it's going to subvert your expectations wherever it can. Those romcom climax lows where everything is suddenly going wrong and the characters who were best buds in one episode are suddenly enemies or apart for the next two or three? Yeah, no. Dali's not about that. And that's what I loved about it. It's one of the few romances I've watched in the past several months - maybe a year? - that doesn't use those tropes to pad out the last 6 episodes, and I'm eternally grateful. I enjoyed every minute of it, from beginning to end, with no dragging in the middle.

The biggest appeal for me, though, is the relationship between Dali and Moo Hak. They're genuinely in love. They have an adorable honeymoon phase, they're honest with each other and they prove how much they care time and time again. I've watched a lot of romances. They're my guilty pleasure when I'm sick or having a rough go of things. I've seen couples turn on each other or break up for several episodes just to add drama and pad the runtime. But every time these two go through one of these things that would, in any other drama, take several hours to resolve, they work it out. They talk to each other, they work it out, and they don't let the other person go. In addition to that, we get to see a lot of shows of affection between them that you don't see often in Korean dramas - butterfly kisses and implied sex (which is getting more common but not overtly so) to name a few. I could maybe see some people being turned off by just how much and how often these two are showing affection for each other, but when I'm watching a romance, that's kinda what I'm looking for and I loved it. I genuinely believed in their relationship, and I rooted for them all the way. These two are precious.

So watch Dali and the Cocky Prince. Just do it. I suppose if you prefer mysteries then maybe it's not for you, but I don't think you'd be looking at Dali at all if that's what you're after anyway. So just give it a shot. It's funny, charming, sweet, and brightens your day. What's the worst that could happen?

Leggi di Più

A warm story about love

Many K dramas have art and culture storyline. One of the leads the art gallery director or curator. And I personally like this type of plot. But I prefer developing romance over anything. This drama will deliver those expectations. Its refreshing, to watch.

Coming to this, drama completely focuses on developing a relationship between debitor and creditor. How they entangled themselves. How they bonded together over an art gallery. Comedy is followed and little bit of emotional seens can be seen. And yes, we do have antagonist in this drama.

First half totally light hearted, you can take your peaceful time to watch this. Then the drama picks up after episode 11. Where the real drama begins. For all those viewers who are seeking to watch a light hearted romance with not much of intense drama and crime, you should definetely watch this. Due to release in 2021, it has updated story and production is top notch.

Park Gyu Young(Da Li) does a fabulous job here. I am used to watch her as a second lead or side character but this drama does justice to her. She knocked her role perfectly. The cuteness she deplicts with a new looks of curly hair. Yup I saw something new here.
Kim MIn Jae(Cocky Prince) plays his role way better than I expected it to be. There chemistry is just so sweet. Just go for it.

Anymore, and you will get spoiler here. So I will stop.
OST are good. You can get 2 or 3 lovable songs to hear.
- The sweetest Love
- Straight
- U hoo hoo

Leggi di Più

An unbreakable romance and a well written story. Love at it’s best.

One of the best romantic comedies I’ve ever experienced. It had drama that will move your senses and romance that will warm your heart. They threw in a sneaky ending to give you a little romantic suspense and it made the drama perfect. The mix of Park Gyu Young as Kim Da Li, the Curator of an art gallery, with Kim Min Jae as Jin Mo Hak, the managing director of a restaurant chain, was priceless. People from two different worlds falling into a love that held together and shined like all the stars in the sky. They shared a romantic chemistry and an unbreakable love. You don’t see that often in dramas and when you do it’s beautiful.

The acting was what made this story great. The comedy was funny and didn’t interfere with the beauty of what was unfolding in the drama. The side stories were interesting and brought meaning to the main plot.

I could step through what I liked but the problem is, I liked everything. If you like romance, this is a gem. This is a fantastic and well written drama that is worth your time.

Leggi di Più

an absolute masterpiece

This incredible South Korean drama, "Dali and The Cocky Prince," is an absolute masterpiece. It's a captivating story that revolves around the brilliant acting and undeniable chemistry between the leads, making it a must-watch. The characters are expertly crafted, showing a remarkable journey of two individuals from entirely different worlds who come together in a beautifully harmonious way.

Dali, our strong and independent female lead, is a character that's both relatable and inspiring. Her dynamic with the Cocky Prince is utterly endearing, and watching their relationship evolve is a true delight. The sincerity and adoration the Cocky Prince shows towards Dali will have you swooning in no time.

The plot is not just intriguing, but it also maintains a perfect tempo, ensuring you're always eager to see what happens next. The music enhances the emotions and atmosphere of the series, while the costumes, especially Dali's, are a visual treat in themselves.

If you're in search of a drama that has it all - romance, humor, stunning visuals, and a heartwarming story - "Dali and The Cocky Prince" is your go-to choice. This is one show you won't want to miss. Give it a watch, and you'll be hooked from the very first episode.

Leggi di Più

Most Underappreciated KDrama of 2021

Thanks to Netflix for suggesting this drama.
The story is not complicated... it's very heartwarming and light but It's addicting. It will make you smile and have a good vibe for a while...

Story: The plot is very simple but surprisingly not predictable... I love the characters and the story flow. The director & writers mixed romance, comedy, a little politics, a bit of mystery, friendship, and family together without making the story chaotic.
This is the 1st time that I was hoping that a series should be longer... about the ENDING... I just love it! lol

Acting: Dali (Park Gyuyoung) and Moo-Hak (Kim Min-jae) have remarkable chemistry, and perfectly pair up to deliver the feeling of true love. Kim Minjae is at another level of acting performance, showing in his gesture, tone, and facial expression. I love how he hid his feelings in the early episodes... I haven't watched Park Gyuyoung from other series, but I already admired her in this drama. She looks really sophisticated but I like her when she got a bit more aggressive than the ML .

Music: One of the best OST in Kdrama history hehehe... The music alone can make you feel in love. "The Sweetest Love", and "That's Ordinary Love", "Moon Crater" and "One Day It Will Be" are so nice... will make you smile. (Thanks Spotify.)

Rewatch Value: It's not perfect 10 coz I already know the mystery part and how they solved/faced their problems... I'll just rewatch their sweet and funny moments.

Leggi di Più

I truly enjoyed this more than I anticipated if I'm being completely honest! It's been so long since I've been able to sit down and just enjoy a drama, thought free and you do have to kind of go into this thought free with no expectations because I really didn't know how to feel, I thought it would be so cliché but actually, it turned out to be kind of fun. The story is about a artist and brain smart girl that meets a business man and they just click, she's cool and he's funny and they meet by accident but it all just made sense. Suddenly her world comes crashing and they both go their own ways and one day they come back together and not under the best circumstances but tbh, it was kind of interested. The mystery behind everything going on really kept you on your toes and the chemistry the main characters had was super nice as well. It was all chaotic but nice at the same time and it truly was just an easy watch.

The acting was wonderful, Park Gyu Young playing Da Li was very fitting for her role, Kim Min Jae played Jin Moo Hak and he was so funny, tough, annoying but all in all it was great. I didn't mind everyone else, except maybe the ex and of course the cousin but like you gotta stick drama in somewhere amirite?

Music was fantastic! Very fitting, I loved it.

Would I rewatch this? Absolutely, it was fast, sweet, mysterious and just fun.

Overall, I loved it, it was definitely a tear jerker at times, I loved the art, I loved the relationships, I loved how interested I was and it truly didn't stop. Pretty good watch in my opinion.

Leggi di Più

I really like the show. It is a rom com series, a bit of mystery I guess, with a plot twist and the actors have good chemistry. The scenes isn't that heavy yet interesting to watch. Also, I like how they emphasize the importance of artworks and galleries. It is an eye opener for the modern generation to appreciate art and its meaning. Political issues are also portrayed in this drama, which is good. However, there are some things that I really don't like such as the way how the character of Darli was portrayed as the series went by. At first she was introduced as a smart kid, but there is no character development later on. She seems helpless at the middle part. Also, I don't like how the Jang Tae Jin, the Segi Group Director, didn't asked for forgiveness for what he have done to Darli's father. I recommended this drama. I hope Min Jae will have more main roles soon.

Leggi di Più

This was soooooo refreshing show
I enjoyed it so much
It was so emotional
Min jae succeeded to deliver me all the write feelings he was brilliant actor

I had many butterflies while watching this drama
And for the first time I loved a Korean man's voice
His voice was so Manly and cute
His character in this drama was really amazing

The story was amazing , New and funny
I laughed out loud many times

The plot was really strong although it was predictable who killed Dali's father
But you won't know how, till the end

I liked how min jae was really always behind Dali gave her support and strength

I disliked the Stepmom and the stepbrother's greediness

The stepbrother was a real B****
He was a capable actor
Which made me hated him from the bottom of my heart
But he shows his real feelings towards min jae at the end and how he really loved him

and Tae Jin I hated this guy
This wasn't love this was obsession and possessive love

And I hated also gong joo so much,
she had a lot of grudge which made me felt annoyed many times and want to bring her from her hair and slap her at least 4 times LOL 😂


I wished so much the writer will connect won tak and chak hee
And they would take a good space in the drama instead of just a scene at the final episode
The writer shows the possibility of having feelings for eachother
And their relationship won't be less entertaining than the main leads

What I disliked so, was the twisted end which I saw it with no meaning
They could continue it simple as it was
And this stupid time jump was unnecessary at all
There were almost no punishment for Tae Jin which frustrated me a lot
I thought his empire will collapse after this scandal and he will go to the jail at least one year but that didn't happen

But inspite of this stupid end it was happy and

Really highly recommended
Amazing drama 😊❤️❤️

P.S : till the last episode I hated the hair cut of Dali so much till she changed it at the end

Leggi di Più