The Witch's Diner (2021) poster
8.0
Your Rating: 0/10
Ratings: 8.0/10 from 10,417 users
# of Watchers: 25,191
Reviews: 48 users
Ranked #2181
Popularity #668
Watchers 10,417

At the age of 28, Jung Jin had everything in life that a person could ever want or need. With a great job and a fantastic boyfriend, Jin was convinced her life was as close to perfect as anyone could ever wish. Little did she know, her perfect world was about to come crashing down around her. Stricken by a string of bad luck, Jin now finds herself without a job, a boyfriend, or a clue as to what to do next. With no better ideas, Jin agrees to open a restaurant with her mother, but even that venture ends in bankruptcy. With her mother leaving for the countryside, Jin is left with nothing but a failed business and overwhelming heartache. But after an unexpected encounter with Jo Hee Ra, a sorceress who specializes in granting wishes, things take an unexpected turn for the better. Wishing to borrow Jin’s restaurant to run a restaurant of her own, Jin agrees to the mysterious woman’s request. Soon, the place is full of people willing to sell their soul for a taste of Hee Ra’s magical wish-granting dishes. Though thrilled by their success, Jin sometimes wonders if the price of Hee Ra’s dishes isn’t just a little high... (Source: Viki) ~~ Adapted from the novel "The Witch's Diner" (마녀식당으로 오세요) by Go Sang Hee (구상희). Edit Translation

  • English
  • 한국어
  • 中文(简体)
  • 日本語
  • Country: South Korea
  • Type: Drama
  • Episodes: 8
  • Aired: Jul 16, 2021 - Aug 13, 2021
  • Aired On: Friday
  • Original Network: TVING
  • Duration: 44 min.
  • Score: 8.0 (scored by 10,417 users)
  • Ranked: #2181
  • Popularity: #668
  • Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Where to Watch The Witch's Diner

Viki
Free (sub)

Cast & Credits

Reviews

Completed
WandereR
56 people found this review helpful
Aug 13, 2021
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 6
Overall 8.5
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

Be careful what you wish for...

...because it might just come true. The Witch’s Diner is an urban fantasy that revolves around the arcane ways of contemporary witchcraft. It combines the supernatural with slice of life, and includes elements of a mystery as well as romance. In addition to the dark arts, the culinary arts are featured prominently through the variety of delectable gourmet dishes which are central to the core narrative.

The concept is straightforward - customers make a wish at the eponymous restaurant, and the resident witch-cum-masterchef will magically prepare a unique dish accordingly. Eating the dish will grant the wish but not without a price in return.

Following the TVING brand revamp in 2020 after the joint venture between JTBC and CJ E&M was finalised (and most recently Naver bought into the venture as well), the streaming service currently provides premium content via paid subscription. Included as part of its original programming for 2021, this drama certainly reflects the production values strived for by the streaming service. The overall quality and technical aspects, including the visual effects, are unquestionably well executed. The art direction and the production design are quite impressive, in particular the diner which has been sumptuously remodelled to induce a palpable gothic atmosphere. I’ve enjoyed the cinematic grading as well as how the colour palettes seamlessly contrast between darker moments and the more lighthearted scenes.

Similar in premise and tone to other stories that deal with paranormal activities, such as Mystic Pop-up Bar and Hotel Del Luna, this drama falls somewhere in the middle in terms of its plotline and themes. It isn’t spine-chillingly frightening or morbidly infused with gore and horror, while at the same time it is slightly melodramatic with a number of poignant moments that may induce a tear or two. The overarching mystery concerns who the witch is, how the “wish-fulfilment” service came about, and how the ML and FL are connected to her. Along the way, we observe mini story-arcs of folks with problems who somehow end up at the diner seeking otherworldly solutions to what ails them.

At a relatively short 8 episodes, the storytelling is compact without the intrusion of unnecessary fillers. It is engagingly paced where the drama takes its time to explore the backstories of the various characters. It’s worth pointing out certain themes that may trigger such as abuse and bullying. The sense of tension and anxiety are sufficiently imbued into the story as it unfolds, and continues to build right to the climactic end.

The performances of the cast certainly deserve praise. I’ve truly enjoyed Chae Jong Hyeop’s emotional depth through his nuanced characterization as the noble and warmhearted Lee Gil Yong. I feel he is more suited to this role than the one in Sisyphus: The Myth. Nam Ji Hyun displays impressive range in her depiction of the conflicted Jung Jin, a character that goes through much adversity. The role of Jo Hee Ra the witch is played by the experienced Song Ji Hyo. Despite looking very much the part, I do feel that the portrayal is rather understated because of how the character was written - unlike other similar dramas, Jo Hee Ra isn’t an outrageous OTT character that’s loud or stands out from the crowd. She’s probably the most down-to-earth witch I’ve ever come across in a drama. I do however admire her avant garde fashion sense and found myself chuckling at her portrayal of a younger self.

Special mentions go to a number of supporting and guest stars who make their appearances in this production. These include So Hee Jung who plays FL's mother with such conviction and relatability. Ahn Eun Jin, the musical actress who delivers a fantastic solo rendition in a stage play, as well as Lee Joo Shil and Im Won Hee who portray mother and son respectively in one of the more heartbreaking scenes in the drama. I was actually taken aback by how good he is in dramatic capacity compared to his somewhat more comical role in Dark Hole.

The soundtrack features a total of four songs that fits the mellow undertone of the drama, with the exception of YESEO’s Fair Dish which provides an interestingly magical and mysterious vibe with a hint of mischief.
1. Se.A – Holding On
2. JUNNY – Alone
3. YESEO – Fair Dish
4. Han Seungwoo (VICTON) – Please

All in all, I would classify The Witch’s Diner as a healing, introspective and evocative drama. It's perfectly understated without all the fanfare and light enough to be enjoyed without heavy exertion. I certainly savoured the experience.

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Completed
Starmstar
31 people found this review helpful
Aug 13, 2021
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.5
Rewatch Value 6.0

Learnt something

Just watch it.
Enjoy it.
Learn something.
But be careful dear
"WHAT YOU WISH FOR".
Some stories tell us what struggles are
Some say it's not just revenge that is needed.
We should try hard to achieve our goals.
And sometimes we strive do hard, but in the end our hands seems empty.
Easy ways are temporarily and tempting.
Easy ways are not for free.

People debated on who is the main protagonist.
But funnily the story is not just protagonist. But it's us who are playing the main role.
And our dear witch is just a catalyst in making us to achieve our goals faster.
There is Jin
jins mom,
jins moms mom
And two very wonderful helper.
And many many characters.
Each one representing" us".
And mainly there is 🌳

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Details

  • Drama: The Witch's Diner
  • Country: South Korea
  • Episodes: 8
  • Aired: Jul 16, 2021 - Aug 13, 2021
  • Aired On: Friday
  • Original Network: TVING
  • Duration: 44 min.
  • Content Rating: 15+ - Teens 15 or older

Statistics

  • Score: 8.0 (scored by 10,417 users)
  • Ranked: #2181
  • Popularity: #668
  • Watchers: 25,191

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