Good Enough
Korean Mini Drama 'The Witch's Diner' is a drama with many layers. The main story is pretty interesting, with a witchy atmosphere, beautiful settings and intriguing characters. The short make a wish stories were all interesting, in addition, and they helped the drama move forward and keep being entertaining throughout its length.The performances were a key element for this drama as well. Especially the leading lady, she was amazing as the mystical, freaky and dynamic witch and she didn't resemble any of her previous roles.
So, overall, 8 out of 10.
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This review may contain spoilers
Preliminary 10 STARS.EDIT: (2021-08-31) Great show. I wish there were more episodes. 10/10 Stars well deserved by the cast, crew, and writers.
EDIT: (2021-08-08) The show maintains 10/10 Stars as of Episode 6. Witch's Diner maintains the plot with more surprises around the corner. The pacing of the show is steady and keeps one interested. Song Ji Hyo, Nam Ji Hyun, and Chae Jong Hyeop (as well as supporting cast) acting is low-key (subdued) yet strong. All deliver excellent performances.
I'm four episodes on in and I don't know where this show is going. That is a good thing. Why? If you can not tell where a show is going, then the show is a SURPRISE. Constantly chasing that surprise around the next corner. Then the next corner. And the next corner. And the next... Some shows end up going nowhere as the meander, confusing, never being coherent in plot and direction. Witch's Diner is not that type of show (so far). Instead, Witch's Diner has direction and plot without the confustion.
I must admit that I had my doubts and skepticism when reading the premise of Witch's Diner. No longer.
CASTING
The cast? Song Ji Hyo exudes and embodies the mysterious. Nam Ji Hyun... becomes the mystery by episode four - the full embodiment of mystery. A mystery hinted out only before in episode three. A mystery, that by episode four, I want to solve. Chae Jong Hyeop... just when I thought I had him figured out... no I don't. Twist o' plot that you will have to watch the show to see. Ahn Eun Jin in the guest role in episode four? Thumbs up to her. Kang Gi Doon makes appearances; again, another thumbs up.
WRITING
Lee Young Sook keeps a steady pace. Dialogue is solid, the twists are low-key yet impactful. I want more. The pace of Witch's Diner, determined by the writer & director (So Jae-Hyun), is enough to keep people coming back for more of the same. So far.
EXCEPTIONS TO SURPRISES
At one point in Episode four, I guessed where the wish fulfillment was going. Hoping against hope that Ahn Eun Jin's - shout out for her excellent portrayal in guest role - character was not going to ask for what she wanted. Yet, the "train kept traveling down the tracks, I had nowhere to go, except to be run over". Even though I had a good idea of what was coming? I was left wishing it was not going to be so. Yet it was.
A SUPERNATURAL PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR SHOW? NOT QUITE.
That last sentence in the paragraph concerning the train is an example of how The Witch's Diner is in some ultra-subtle way, a supernatural psychological horror show. Without the blood - okay, there is some, guts - fingers don't count (I am talking "guts" as in "intestines splayed out everywhere"), without chainsaws & implements of torture... a sort of supernatural psychological horror that is so low-key as to be missed if one is not paying attention. I would like it if further episodes keep up the very low intensity supernatural psychological horror. Perhaps, "horror" is the wrong word; in which something more soft should be considered. Hmmm... living with the consequences... responsibility as horror. With fate mixed in.
PRODUCTION, ATMOSPHERE
Production value? Top notch. The set embodies the show. Somehow mixing, in my opinion, hope & gloom. The sets are not over the top. The few instances of special effects are nice if a little flashy for my taste. Camera work is very, very good.
A COMMENT ON NAM JI HYUN'S ACTING & ROLES
On another website, someone was complaining that Nam Ji Hyun always plays the same characters in different shows. Yet, that commentor admitted to not being able to stop watching the show. Nam Ji Hyun as a certain presence on film. Perhaps a certain expression of method acting. I find that her characters are different enough as Nam Ji Hyun portrays them - from being the "dirty former judo college athlete turned lawyer suspected of murder" in Suspicious Partner to her now playing her role in Witch's Diner. She plays each character with a certain finesse sufficiently enough to make each of her roles, memorable; differentiating each of her roles from show to show. Examples of famous method actors include Al Pacino and Jason Statham. No, I'm not saying that the three are comparable. Here's to Nam Ji Hyun not being pigeon-holed into acting only in one role or style of acting from show to show. She's talented, her characters are memorable, Nam Ji Hyun makes her roles. I look forward to her acting ability in the future.
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Too short, but good!
I really liked this show. I felt like it was pretty realistic (well, for a show about magic). It had a good balance of life consequences and happiness. I think it's too short - it would have been nicer if it was more fleshed out and we got more explanations or background about certain characters - but nonetheless very good. I felt that the ending was missing something (don't know what to be honest, but I felt like it was resolved too quickly) but I still really enjoyed it. If there was a sequel (or a prequel), I'd watch it.Was this review helpful to you?
Be careful what you wish for
Feel Good drama for the soulThe Witch's Diner: This Drama
OVERVIEW:
1-2 Episodes; Great
5-7th Episode; Getting there
8thth Episode; good finish with the potential for S2
Likes:
1)feel Good Stories
2) all connected stories
3)Acting
4)Writing
5)every episode had its own nuance
6) the old lady story and school kid story were the highlights
Dislikes:
1) maybe 12 Episodes would have been good
OVERALL:
WELL WORTH YOUR TIME
*****************************************
Feel Good drama for the soul
The Witch's Diner: This Drama
OVERVIEW:
1-2 Episodes; Great
5-7th Episode; Getting there
8thth Episode; good finish with the potential for S2
Likes:
1)feel Good Stories
2) all connected stories
3)Acting
4)Writing
5))every episode had its own nuance
6)the old lady story and school kid story were the highlights
Dislikes:
1) maybe 12 Episodes would have been good
OVERALL:
WELL WORTH YOUR TIME
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This review may contain spoilers
Beware ofwhat you wish
The pacing is never boring. The actors suit their roles perfectly. So far, so good. I like how Nam Ji Hyun switched her acting to different situations. Song Jihyo is a classy witch. CJY is a natural. So far, the plot is very interesting The school scene about bullying is really heartbreaking and luckily, true friend still does exist. If I see a witch as pretty as SJY, I ill be scared but can easily adore her. I can only give final review when the 8 episodes are finished. I look forward to the next episodes... I have been waiting for this series.. It was worth the wait........Babeth from the PhilippinesWas this review helpful to you?
Not worth the time for me
I am probably the wrong person to review this, because I dislike revenge dramas. There is enough pettiness and misery in a normal life to make it unnecessary to add to it, even in the shows we choose to watch. Overall, I found this to be mean spirited and rather unpleasant. People brought their wishes to the diner and usually had to pay some unpleasant price, which just seemed unnecessary. If you have powers like that, why extract a painful price from people who are just trying to make their lives a little better? This thread of unkindness held to the end, and there was really nothing redeeming about it.For what it is, it's reasonably well done although the writing was unoriginal. If it hadn't ended after 8 episodes, i would have dropped it after 5 or 6, because I don't need to add misery to my days. YMMV, depending on your taste for revenge and pettiness.
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A meu ver a grande mensagem é cuidado com o que deseja, sendo bom ou ruim, as coisas que acontecem em nossas vidas fazem parte do nosso crescimento pessoal.
Amei como tudo foi amarrado e conectado no final, mas confesso que queria mais episódios, para acompanhar mais casos, talvez mais quatro. Até que enfim pude ver algo da Song Ji Hyo que realmente amei, tomara que consiga mais bons papéis.
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Pegos pela boca
Quando o pescador joga o anzol , espera ansiosamente pelo melhor e maior peixe que as vezes pode ser frustrado por peixinhos pequenos e magros e desesperados... Na verdade a estratégia do pescador o tamanho, tipo e a variedade da saborosa isca "armadilha" defini o tamanho do peixe que será pego, porém deve ser contar com o fator surpresa quanto ao desejo e desespero da presa passante.Trágico, cômico e emocionante defini o restaurante da bruxa! Estrelando o elenco maravilhoso com SongJi Hyo que faz a bruxa Jo Hee Ra, Nam Ji Hyun com papel de co proprietária do restaurante como Jung Jin e o maravilhoso Chae Jong Hyeop interpretando um intrigante estudante Lee Gil Yong , esses três vão proporcionar surpresas e desejos maravilhosos para os visitantes Aflitos que vão ao restaurante da bruxa realizar a tão desejada refeição dos sonhos e um desejo decisivo em suas vidas em contrapartida um valor altíssimo a ser pago por suas escolhas que não é de forma monetária.
Em meio as histórias emocionantes e tristes dos quatro desejos realizados vem o desfecho das histórias do elenco principal encontrando por quê seus destinos se entrelaçaram de forma surpreendente e emocionante com direito a muito choro e bocas abertas contudo que será revelado.
O ost e os efeitos especiais são simplesmente chocantes não vou esquecer tão cedo de todos os músicas e ainda não vi nenhum trabalho que tenha sido feito com tanta delicadeza como abertura desse curto drama de revendico desesperadamente por uma segunda temporada.
Estou apaixonada!
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Los precios de los deseos son conmovedores y por eso es un highlight
A veces no necesitas ver algo con una buena puntuación en "volverlo a ver", si la primera vez que lo viste te puede dejar un mensaje interesante. Esta es así,Dura lo que tiene que durar, y es un ocho porque pudo tener plotwists más interesantes o como un arco final pudo ser menos básico, pero no es aburrido. Los precios de los deseos me interesaron bastante, como cada uno tenía su interés y no le importaba perder lo que sea (Aunque fuese un poco retorcido). Hasta lloré en una parte por eso xD y me hizo reflexionar mucho. Las ambientaciones son buenas, y cada platillo de la bruja me hace querer comerlo, también los outfits de ella 10/10 y hay una mandrágora que por alguna razón, se me hizo re simpática (Pocos diálogos pero es re suficiente, es ella en 4k). Las actuaciones estuvieron bien, me hubiese gustado ver más el potencial de cada uno pero ninguna queja.
Pude notar un desarrollo en la protagonista, como desde alguien quizás con una fachada bien ingenua que se hacía la interesante (Así lo vi y no me gustaba), hasta alguien que si toma las cosas en cuenta, y es madura, que por eso es que entendí al final porque gilyong se pegó a ella (Hay mucho girlpower en esta serie que te llega al corazón, en general).
Sin duda, es uno de esos doramas que pasan bajo la mesa pero acaban quedándose en tu memoria como una creativa idea si decides verlos, como, perdería mi vida por la de mi hijo? Si encontrase un restaurante que cumpla cualquier deseo... es magia (Como la intro de cada capitulo que recuerda a sabrina, la amo).
Espero la disfrutess !
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Los personajes tampoco han sido nada destacables, exceptuando la bruja, pero creo que por el mismo motivo de no profundizar en la historia bien. Creo que había potencial para un mejor desarrollo tanto de historia como de personajes. Me quedé con las ganas de conocer mejor la historia del ayudante de la bruja que se queda ahí un poco a medias.
Al ser 8 capítulos de 45 minutos, la historia se pasa rápido, sin embargo, no me ha gustado que desarrollen tanto el trabajo de la bruja haciendo de comer y concediendo deseos y que en los dos últimos capítulos hayan querido explicar todas las historias que había detrás de cada personaje.
Sin embargo, es una buena serie para desconectar con una historia diferente mientras que eliges tu próxima serie o si no tienes mucho tiempo.
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°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°
Avis Complet:
https://lamagiedeshistoires.wordpress.com/2023/12/24/the-witchs-diner-avis/
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El verdadero precio de los deseos de venganza
Me gusto mucho este drama, aunque la trama fue muy apresurada creo que las actuaciones estuvieron correctas, acorde a lo que el drama pedía, sin dudas se me hizo muy corto y me gustaría una segunda temporada donde se pueda abordar un nuevo arco argumental con la nueva bruja dueña del restaurant y su nueva sombra.En fin el drama es bueno y entretenido, con unos mensajes interesantes, un genero entretenido como el de las brujas ( tiene su propia mandragora que hablaaaa *grito de fan de harry potter*). actuaciones correctas y invitados muy buenos con historias bonitas.
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