Mystic Pop-Up Bar (2020)

my first impression of this drama is kinda like hotel del luna. Even the main cast give me a little similar vibe too. But the more i watched the more i feel the different. But for sure i still more like del luna than this.

The story itself quite good with the surprise twist in the end. Turn out everybody connection is closer than you think. Several scene quite funny too.

Overall this is a good drama which tell you karma is a b***h so don't mess up with it cause it can bite you back ^_^. if you don't know what to watch, just watch this drama, because this drama is so short only 12 ep long.

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I Liked: 1) The funny parts, such as game day in the Afterlife and Manager Gwi talking to the chicken. I think Korean dramas often shine when it comes to comedy. 2) The actor Choi Won Young. He’s such a versatile actor, funny in one drama and sinister in another. 3) The little vignettes of people and how they were helped by the Mystic Pop-up Bar characters.

I was not crazy about the following: 1) It was difficult to connect the present-day characters emotionally with their characters 500 years ago. It’s possible for one’s personality to change a lot over the years, particularly over the course of 500 (!) years, but because the characters seemed like completely different people, the past felt detached and less like a 500-year tragedy. 2)The ending. I am sometimes disappointed with Korean drama endings due to many writers' penchant for ending dramas happily, regardless of logic or consistency. I don’t have a problem with happy endings per se but too often the ending feels tacked on and added just for the sake of a happy ending. I felt that way here.

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Short drama had me wanting more

Non-Spoiler Part:
It was a really nice kdrama! I was hesitant before watching it especially since it's not talked about a lot, but decided to watch since it was only 12 episodes. I would definitely say it was worth it. I love "found-family" tropes so I loved that aspect of the show. I would recommend the show honestly because its plot is good, its characters are good, the acting was good, everything put together made a great drama.

Plus, I liked all the characters and their development. The main female seemed just to be cranky and a little selfish at first but then they showed us more parts of her character so I fell in love with her character. Kang Bae was also so sweet and he was understanding and just such a nice boy type of vibe. I also loved his relationship with Yeo Rin cause their personalities are so different but them together is so cute! Chef Gwi also was funny and always there for Wol Joo to rely on.
In the end, I wish it didn't end so quickly.

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Commentary w/Spoiler (DON'T READ IF YOU DIDN'T WATCH YET):

I was kind of surprised they couldn't figure out that Won Hyung took over the Grim Reaper's body. I thought it was pretty obvious cause Grim Reaper was acting weird and off so I felt like they should've known something was up if they had known him for so long.

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A wonderful story with a roller coaster road

I was already interested in watching this series when I saw the trailer on Netflix. It reminded me a little bit of Hotel Del Luna and I was between being interested and also kind of putting this off for a moment. Well, the theme is maybe a little bit similar, about ghost, grudge, being punished because of the past deeds. However, this drama is completely different from Hotel Del Luna, this drama is even better than HDL. This one has gone up to the top of my favs.

First let's talk about the casts. All the casts are perfects. Hwang jeung eum as Weol Ju is a perfect match. She is really good at acting over the top, as her past drama Kill Me Heal Me, which really perfect. She truly brings the character alive with her amazing act. And she didn't care to go all over with weird gestures that always crack me up. Then we have Seung Jae as Kang Bae. I know Seung Jae has a talent for acting since watching him in Goblin. He really good at bringing some comedic relief, but he is also good at bringing emotion. When he cried it feels like he was truly in pained and you feel heartbroken for him too.

I love the fact that this drama is not too long just to make it long which I always found in other k-drama. I find 12 eps is perfect for the whole show. There is no such thing as fillers where the couple breaks off or some other stupid thing that makes you feel you wasted some hours for that filler eps. The story is well written. Everything is good paced except for the last ep, but it not that bad if you compare with other k -drama. It's still quite satisfying in a way too.

Compare to Hotel Del Luna, I think this drama is even better. I love both dramas, but I have to admit, this drama has a better pace and story. Hotel Del Luna has too many disturbing BGM without caring about the moment of the scene. The songs are good but they are too many and sometimes destroy the mood of the scene. Then also too much effect and the side character, although loveable, lack some justifiable scenes where you can get to know more about their backstories. It also has a lot of filler eps that make you wonder why they put this in and so on. Hotel Del Luna was entertaining, but it was not able to give me a rollercoaster ride of emotion. Whereas, MPB is able to give me that. I cry, laugh like crazy and deeply immersed in the story. I think I might rewatch this show again.

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FAMILY DRAMA WITH A HINT OF MYSTERY AND A LOAD OF COMEDY!

At first, I knew this drama would be the lighter version of Hotel Del Luna. I enjoyed reincarnation stories, but to be honest I’m not a really big fan of it. I picked this drama randomly, or maybe because I need something funny and light because school is starting. But, turns out, I didn’t regret it one bit!

The story was refreshing and heartwarming, it wasn’t new, but it’s interesting how they add stories about how important family is, and also how to deal with mental ilnesses. The story gets a little slow paced on the middle, but it gets better again at the 9th episode when the real conflict happens.

The actors and actresses were spot-on! Never doubted on Hwang Jung Eum because she is naturally born funny! Yook Sung Jae and Choi Won Young are now officially in my favorite actor list! I’m sure everyone watching this would feel warm and thrilled everytime the trio comes up just like I do! The OSTs were also SUPERB!

Overall, a 9/10. I hope they reunite on another project! *fingers crossed* ⭐️

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Hotel de Luna x Goblin

Great thing was this drama is on NETFLIX + it's only 12 episodes! It's title itself suggests mystic elements. The story is like a mix of Hotel De Luna x Goblin. Had story. ill fate that crosses past and present lives. Mystic figures like the Grim Reaper, Samshin Granny which i think was a very cute touch. Revolves around female lead, HJE having to resolve 10,000 human grudges in order to lift the punishment of her reincarnated child (YSJ) which she doesn't know until the later part of the drama. Next to her is CWY whose identity was also revealed at the later part of the drama!

Overall a v light and funny drama! The stories of the grudges were also very touching to watch. It's definitely worth the time here. It's only 12 episodes, gogo ~

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So much fun to watch I was sad when it was over

9.5/10 This is a 2020 South Korean television supernatural drama with 12, 70 minute, episodes.

At night a pop up outdoor drinking bar appears in Seol. It offers free food and drink to clientele. The bar keep, Weol-ju (Hwang Jung-eum), has a mission to resolve grudges for 100,000 people and it has taken hundreds of years but she is very close to the finish line. Only problem is at the rate it normally takes to sort out who has a genuine grudge and resolve it, her time will run out. Her loyal bar manager, Chief Gwi (Choi Won-young), uses skills he gained as a former afterlife detective to help her resolve cases. A chance encounter with a young man, Han Kang-bae (Yook Sung-Jae) that has the unique ability to have people tell him their innermost concerns after he touches them, seems to be the perfect fit for their mission.
Spoilers** I liked this one, so much. I found it interesting the whole way through. The cases they had were interesting. I liked the supernatural aspects and a love that lasts so very long. The Sung-Jae character was so nice and sweet I loved seeing him have some happy times after being an orphan. I have loved Hwang Jung-eum in everything she has played in. She is an amazingly talented actress. I was surprised how pretty she is with long hair and red lipstick. She looks pretty with shorter hair too but the long hair, was just a level up. I wasn't sure why their younger selves were played by other actors. I loved the whole concept of the mystic pop up bar. This one was magical on par with Goblin for me. It was a world I hated leaving. The only very slight detractions for me is I wish Sung-Jae had retained his abilities and just learned to control them. I also wished that Chief Gwi and Weol-ju had been able to be human because with them being supernatural and Sung-Jae not it means they will have to lose him at some point. It also felt like they could tick off the gods and just disappear sometime. I wanted to know what happened with Sung-Jae's girlfriend too after she was fighting all the evil spirits to save him. But those are all very minor points. It really ended well. If you love supernatural and unique storylines I highly recommend this. Also a couple of great love stories.

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Mystic Pop-Up Bar (2020)

Yes, the show has a similar setup to Hotel del Luna (2019) from just the year prior. Yes, you should compare them. In fact, I've already done the same.

TL;DR = Spiritual Female Lead paying for her sins. Supported by her group of assistants, including a freshly recruited human Male Lead. Forced to help others before they themselves are able to move on and reincarnate. Episodic in nature with the underlying reincarnation plot slowly creeping up towards the end. Cue funny bits, cue emotional bits. End.

What Mystic Pop-up Bar does different is deciding to stay relatively simple compared to it's older sister. The comedy bits are a bit more grounded. The emotional bits don't quite hit the same. The episodic stories are less compelling. The main plot line is a little less emotionally complicated.

On paper, the show should be fine. Fun visuals, decent cast, and a plot that should be simple enough to pull off without any major hiccups. And for the most part, it does. But as I've selfishly stated earlier, I am directing comparing this to Hotel del Luna so everything in my review so far means jack squat to me.

Though the stakes are different when deciding which establishment to patronize, I'd rather visit Hotel del Luna than the Mystic Pop-up Bar.

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Unusual, but I can only speak in superlatives

The frame story is round, there are no incomprehensible details. The characters in the story are great, their connection points are ingeniously constructed. There are no unnecessary characters and unnecessary side threads.
We receive information to the right extent and at the right rate. The continued maintenance of interest was also very successful.
Absurd. Real. Funny. Sad / painful. Beautiful.
The executors of the "above big plan" (the various committees and those in charge) are believable. Like it's really like that. Plus, they're very human, which makes them very lovable.
Very nice screenwriting work, the directing is great, the actors are very, very good all the way through. I don’t even want to single out anyone: they’re all great.
The music collaborates with the story, the action scenes (there are only a few) don’t interfere with the experience.
I loved it, I saw such a cool series a long time ago. Thank you so much for the experience.

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Unparalleled recovery ♡

HIGHLIGHTS
ENDEARING FRIENDSHIP :
One of the show’s strongest suits is the friendship and chemistry between its leading trio. The bond between Wol Ju, Gwi, and Kang Bae, is endearing throughout the series. Though unlikely, due to their different ages and personalities, the characters grow closer as they embark on missions to help settle spirits’ grudges.
Since the characters have all struggled with rough emotional pasts and hurtful relationships, it was a wholesome journey to witness them grow closer to one another. Moreover, their hilarious but well-intended missteps throughout their missions provided viewers with many laughs.

ROMANCE :
A nice addition to the show was its romance. While Wol Ju often remains cold, distancing herself from her loyal companion Gwi, she begins to form feelings for her devoted friend. It was also pleasant to watch Gwi’s fondness for Wol Ju, and his ability to see past her brash exterior to see her true generous and kind heart.

DRAWBACKS
SLOW PACING :
Though the main trio’s missions to help spirits were often comedic-driven and did provide laughs for viewers, they often felt dragged out. As such, each episode’s pacing seemed too slow to truly captivate audiences for its entire duration. Consequently, the narrative felt disjointed and sacrificed its momentum by focusing too much on extended scenes of slapstick humor.
DRY NARRATIVE :
Despite having a very intriguing premise and strong premiere, the drama’s narrative grew less interesting during the series run. The show focused too much on humor or on the grudges of missions, rather than its main plot lines. As a result, episodes felt repetitive and boring.

MYSTIC POP-UP BAR SERIES AFTERTHOUGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS :
As a whole, Mystic Pop-Up Bar was a pleasant, light-hearted watch. Its interesting premise and exploration into the concept of an afterlife adds to its appeal. Furthermore, the strong performances of its cast shine in each episode.
The series would be a good fit for anyone looking for an entertaining break from heavier dramas, or for someone in need of a feel-good story.♡

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Refreshing

To be very honest, i went into this drama with low expectations. My initial perception was that this was just another one of those dramas they try to weave in too much unnecessary fantasy and romance. But it really exceeded my expectations. I feel like it really touched me because I could relate to how some of them felt, and before I knew it there would be tears in my eyes. It’s really what koreans call a ‘healing drama’, it’s short and light, but heavy at the same time when it hits to close to home. The way the story played out was largely smooth but I feel like the last episode could’ve been broken into 2 episodes instead with a cliffhanger. I didn’t like how the problem was just solved so fast and they could do whatever they wanted again,, like isn’t that against the rules of atonement and karma as they emphasised so much on in the front? But it was mostly great, and I really enjoyed it :-) Finished it in 2 days lol.

As for the casting, I personally adored choi wonyoung. He fits his role so well, and i could literally feel the warmth oozing out from him through my phonescreen to me LOL. He was the embodiment of sweet for me lol everytime he appeared w his unkempt hair and made one of those casual but extremely thoughtful statements I would freak out HAHA in a goodway. And hwang jung eum, i honestly thinks she is a pretty good fit for this role, her voice is soo good for the nagging scenes lol and she’s like young but old at the same time(?) she has that vibe. Yooksungjae- I’m sorry he’s just a meme to me. Whenever his gf would pinch him and say MY BOYFRIEND IS SO HANDSOME I’ll cringe lol. And I feel like this role is so UN-him it feels slightly weird. But he did a good job with the acting. However, the real problem I had was with the bodyguard. Overall, this actress didn’t deliver the vibes I think the story intended for the character to give off. She didn’t feel tough or unapproachable, or even cold when I could tell she was supposed to, and tbh the stunt scenes to me looked very weak (not very cool). I’m not saying it’s the actress’s fault, she did a good job w the acting, it’s just that she isn’t the best fit for sure. I wished they casted someone who could portray the coldness of her character, the warmth and shyness underneath that, as well as the tiredness of the alter ego from her previous life.

But overall, this drama is fantastic. Before I knew it, I was done. Smiling as Choi Wonyoung and Hwang Jungeum smiled back at me through my tiny phone screen lol

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