STORY
The story revolves around a restaurant that's only open from 12 midnight to 7 in the morning. He doesn't really have a menu, if he has the ingredients, he'll make you whatever you want. The whole show is about the people that come and go through the restaurant. In all the times that he's been the proprietor of the restaurant, Master (that's what his customers call him), has met interesting people. His regular customers get their story told too. Some episodes are not as memorable as the rest.
ACTING/CAST
I actually watched this drama for Nam Taehyun. I really think he's not that bad of an actor. He acts the way he's supposed to act, I think. But the other actors are great too.
Kim Seung Woo as Master, I think did a good job to appear the friendly restaurant owner.
I love the regular customers who pop up from time to time.
Nam Taehyun plays Minwoo, a student who has so many part time jobs.
Choi Jae Sung who plays Ryu, the mysterious gangster with a heart of gold.
Jung Han Hun (Mr. Kim, the fisherman) & Joo Won Sung (quack doctor), I love their friendly banter.
Jin Seo Yun as Cherry, she works at the bar close by
Park Jun Myun as the manga writer
Ban Min Jung, Song Hwa Ryeong & Jang Hee Jung as the Noodle sisters. Compared to their Japanese counterparts, I like them better.
Son Sang Gyeong as Deongchi, Ryu's scary looking but kinda like a big teddy bear bodyguard.
At the end of most episodes, there's like scenes of his customers going home. I cried seeing the very last one because the show made me like the camaraderie between all of them.
There were a lot of the well known actors as guests like Ji Jin Hee, Oh Ji Ho, Seo Woo, Ahn Jae Wook, Lee Ki Woo etc.
MUSIC
There's not really that much of a music. But I love the opening song "Till the Morning Comes" by Younha.
REWATCH VALUE
Definitely! The episodes are only 30 minutes and like I said, I really like the cast. They made me laugh, they made me cry.
OVERALL
Compared to the original version, I'd rather watch this than that one. I maybe k-drama biased but I really think the original was more boring.
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****Highly recommend for food drama lovers and people that appreciate foods for thought :)
***Obviously not recommended for those looking for thrillers, suspense rom-coms, melodramas :(
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You really have to watch the whole thing because how it fits together is subtle and revealed slowly, episode by episode. It's possible to watch just one episode at a time, but you'll want to re-visit this restaurant again as soon as possible. This really ranks as one of my all time favorites. The dishes that the people request each has a personal story, and these are eventually woven into the overall story. This isn't a boy-meets-girl with a tight (and predictable) plot, it's more like a series of short visits with people you'd like to know better. A great show for anyone wit the patience to pay attention and come back over and over.
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Speaking of feelings, if you are looking for a show that really has the potential to tug at your heartstrings (as awfully cringey and cliche as that sounds), this is definitely that. It's a very calming and sentimental show to sit down and watch. It feels like I should be snuggled up in a blanket with a cup of tea at the end of the day watching this. (Now, I say that, but there are some episodes that made me cry...I don't cry at movies...take that for what you will.)
When all is said and done, though, the episodic bite-sized nature of this drama is part of what really made it enjoyable for me. I didn't have to commit to a bigger story every time I wanted to watch it. I could just watch an episode (though, let's be real...I never could stop after one) and get an encapsulated story within that half-hour (there is one exception...the only two-parter that falls around the halfway point...that one WILL make you cry).
Long story short, I will definitely be watching this one again. The first time I saw it, I honestly didn't want it to end, which doesn't usually happen for me. This is the first time I ever saw a drama and legitimately wished it was real...that the restaurant was a real place that I could go and get some amazing kimchi spare ribs and talk to the man that never judges you, always welcomes you with open arms, and is always a shoulder to cry on should you need it. Now, if you'll excuse me...I'm off to book a trip to South Korea.
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This is a story about a small diner hidden from the city clamor. Each episode shows a client's story(be it past or present) and there's always a connection to a certain food. The atmosphere that surrounds this whole affair is super relaxing. I really can't write more since I think I'd spoil its charm.
So my bet with you is this...I dare you to watch just the first episode. Just 30 minutes of your time. If you like it, know that the rest is equally as good or better. For me the first episode was enough to know this drama was a good one.
PS: If only there was such a diner in Korea, I'd visit next time I'm around...:(
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Prepare a Snack While Watching, Believe Me
"A must watch series! Heartwarming, funny, scary, you name it!" I told this again and again to my friends when they asked why I recommend this drama for them to watch.The story revolves around the Master and his small eatery with no actual menu, customers can ask him to cook up anything and he'll make it (as long as he has the ingredients in his well stocked pantry). Each 30 mins+ episode will highlight one customer and their signature dish that will be linked to their current problem. Since the drama tells different story every episode, you can watch it as something to keep you entertained while waiting for your current drama to air or if you're like me, to research the dish and try to make it IRL (I have actually ended up pausing an episode to go and cook up some Jjigae like the Master always do at the opening...in the middle of the night).
For me, I like this Korean version better than the Japanese one though. Don't get me wrong, Shinya Shoukudo has it's own charm, it's just that the Korean Late Night Restaurant have this serene aura. A quaint place where people can really let themselves loose.
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Too late to cook...
On average, about 2/3 of all the guests and their stories were pretty solid, but the remainder were a total snoozefest. I was also hoping for a more personal story from the master chef to give more impact to his craft. Even more, the regulars definitely needed more work put into their existence rather than being a vapid filler, especially that woman who couldn't stop yapping about nothing. The food preparation and shots were decent but not much focus put on them beside serving as transition shots. There was a small missed opportunity to tie the food with the guest's stories. Only that vampire one had some hints of doing so.Was this review helpful to you?
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