Once Upon a Small Town (2022)

cute, homely romance

__*Once Upon a Small Town (2022)*__ 8,5/10 -kdrama

ok story is pretty basic and even its same rating from me I think Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) did a bit better for this theme. At least even it got tag comedy at MDL I didnt found much of it here + it was almost one man show. Meanwhile hometown got excelent support roles.

this drama was very much carried by main female lead[Joy], like through drama I think I grew affection for women in uniform which I am sure I never had.

Ok enough joking truthfully her cute, klutz, smiling image doesnt really fit for policewoman work[like who would respect her?] still for work in small village it may work. Still her role was most enjoyable to watch in this drama.

__*plot*__ - ML works as a veterinarian in Seoul. He is popular for his face, but he is classic introverted guy which hates hassle. One day he got serious call from his grandfather from countryside. In hurry he arrives there just to discover he was pranked into being director of vet clinic in that countryside for half year in stead of his grandfather which goes on trip around world with his grandmother. In this countryside he meet super nosy pokicewoman which for some reason shows alot around him but at same time seems to have beef with him.

__*genre*__ - romance

Read More

Just a simple, sweet love story

This was a nice and simple story to watch. No need to think too much. Sometimes sweet, sometimes funny. I did not expect any surprises at the time, It was entertaining enough, but the story itself could have been made more complex. First of all, I did not find the vet really having a hard time adjusting himself to this small town, being such a dedicated professional. Yes, it may be annoying to meet all these nosy town folks (which you will also find in other dramas), but it didn't end up being some kind of disaster. The other guy who seemed to be a rival was also not a strong enough character to cause any conflict in the story. But I do like the acting of the two main leads.

Read More

Short, simple, and sweet

The title says it all. If you're looking for something that's not too complicated or demanding, but rather lighthearted and sweet this absolutely hits the spot. With 12 episodes that are just over 30 minutes long it's not a big commitment, and in my opinion worth sitting trough.

I do not appreciate that there is no cringe humor or what I'd classify as stupid jokes - you know, the cheap shots.

In the future I could see myself re-watching the series as a comfort watch, or to fill the gap while waiting for a different Kdrama to finish airing (I binge-watch rather then having to wait for the next installment).

Read More

Simply Sweet

This one gave me Hometown Cha Cha Cha vibes - only it was set in the countryside, not the seaside. There wasn’t too much of a story to it which I felt was kind of expected.

I liked the interactions between the ML and the other guy. The looks that were served were quite amusing. I also liked the Ajummas as they were funny too. The little children were sweet. The animals were cute - I liked that the ML was a vet. I’m curious though as to how much police work got done by the FL as she seemed to be more of a helping hand than a policewoman - although I guess there isn’t much crime to be committed in such a small town.

I don’t get why the FL didn’t just say, “hey, don’t you remember me?” to the ML. Instead she just got grumpy at him for not remembering who she was. I mean, it had been 15 years since they last saw each other.

I’m glad the romance only came about towards the end as otherwise it would have been very rushed for such a short drama. The few short moments we got to see of them together were simply sweet.

The ex-girlfriend business seemed a bit out of place, but as with any drama there had to be a ‘complication.’

-E

Read More

Sweet and Cute

I watched this drama with a friend and we both liked it. It's not a GREAT drama, but it's lighthearted and cute with a good cast and a happy ending. And all of that is what I want in a drama.

For me, the downside was some of the townpeople. The ajumah women were literally characters that I groaned every time they showed up. I don't like to watch people bicker and that was basically their purpose on the show. It really was annoying and a big part of why I didn't give the show a higher score.

One of he best characters is the second male lead. I wish we had been given more scenes with him and the male lead because they were a hoot to watch together. But I loved how the 2ML isn't an annoying character or one that tries to cause problems because he's not getting what he wants. He was just awesome all the way through and I wish more 2nd lead characters were like him.

Overall, it's a cute drama and a great one if you want to just watch something fun and light.

Read More

This is a cute story. Not very romantic but it was enough for how this story is written. I won't focus on the main leads because everyone did very well to make this storyline come alive. The set and visuals were great from the first episode to the last episode. It was short and sweet. I'm not a pet owner, I was but I think you have to be very passionate about owning a pet that will only live 14 years. I can't do that anymore, it hurts to lose them. I wasn't crazy about the wardrobes because the police uniform is only blue and looks like the main lead only had maybe 3 changes to make. That's that.

Read More

Good Enough

Korean Web Drama " Once Upon A Small Town " is a rural romantic comedy.

The drama is predictable, yes, entertaining though. It has all the feel good vibes that one is searching in a short rom com drama, it has the right amount of drama and the even more perfect right amount of romance. The latter was cute, with few romantic scenes however, as the drama took its time to enstablish the relationship. The love triangle was okay, on the other hand, and offered some supsence with the main love story.

The performances, in addition, were all great by everyone in the cast, even the side characters.

So, overall, five out of ten.

Read More

"소에, 되지, 사람들까지, 계획대로 되는 게 하나도 없으니까."

I feel like the most appropriate time to watch this sunny K-drama is a leisurely summer breakfast with a cup of tea. The 30-mins episodes and an easy-to-follow story about two young people - former secret friends - will be able to provide enough warmth and comfort for the day.

?️The plot is entirely focused on the young veterinarian Ji Yool and a policewoman Ja Yeong slowly falling in love. By "entirely" I mean entirely. There are many authentic characters around them in the Huidong village but none of them have any influence on the main characters or an arc. That isolated romantic development falls flat leaving me indifferent to the ending. My favorite episode though was the 7th where Ji Yool and Ja Yeong give the opposite relationship advices to the kid, confusing him, therefore showcasing their differences.

However, I find the comedic beginning - how Ji Yool adapts to the village life and tries to treat big cattle - very enjoyable. Mostly thanks to the actor Choo Yeong Woo and his soft comedic style. He is never too much and has a perfect balance in his expressions. Basically, the whole show is his.

?️A K-drama in a rural setting with its beautiful landscapes and loud nosy ajummas is always going to be comforting despite its writing flaws. There are far better examples like Summer Strike, Hometown Cha-cha-vha, Our Blues, but if you look for a short sweet one with cute puppies and cute Choo Yeong Woo - this is it!

Read More

Sweet and Fluffy and that's 100% okay.

I'm glad I didn't look at the reviews prior to picking up this series. I was looking for something new while I was on Netflix and thought why not when I saw the drama finished airing. I'm a sucker for small town dramas. I love Gilmore Girls and Home Town Cha Cha, it's something about a large cast and everyone knowing everyone's business. It's just a really funny set up.

I really enjoyed watching the ML, Choo Young Woo, because I was use to his younger character from School 2021. He's 23 in real life so I was curious to see how he can play a 26 year old as a vet. He took to the role very well and I'm glad he didn't type cast himself as a high school student. I'm very excited to watch of this career and I hope he gets another leading role, but in a longer drama.

One of the reason why I love C dramas is because they have a bunch of cheesy, low angst dramas and you don't really get that in K dramas. I think that is why I enjoyed Once Upon A Small Town so much. It's just totally wholesome, funny, cute and a great drama to watch right before bed. You will sleep with a smile on your face.

The episodes are 30 mins each and there's only 12, so it really does hit all of the plot points quickly without filler scenes. I enjoyed the fast pace and typical troupes. You have the cute banter between the leads, you have the best friend with a crush, you have the ex coming back and so much more. I gobble those kind of troupes up!

Overall, if you want some easy, light and fluffy, this is perfect.

Read More

Slow start...but the characters end up charming you

After seeing 630 k-dramas, I almost gave up on this one up at the beginning because of the clichés and the over-shy discomfort of our leads when they first met. But it worked. Yes, even the over-long camera focus on our leads faces when they try to to communicate. I remember the earlier days of K-dramas when this 'film trope' was used a lot, but I read an article in which a director explained that it was to bring viewers closer in, then hold them a beat longer in the emotion along with the character. This drama uses it almost in the same way, although today's viewer might not like it. Our leads stare at each other during conversation, their eyes often saying way more than their wordscommunicate.
It's an old-fashioned story idea too: city boy meets a country girl. But clichéd stories don't shoot down a drama if the characters are interesting. I felt his social phobia was actiually endearing and loved our femal leads friendly, capable and generous personality was a worthy lead . The countryside's villagers are another tropey tie-in to classic dramas indeed, yet I foundwe gotsome nice country extras with both the animals and the children, who stole scenes even more than the nosy neighbours.
As for romance. The parallels among the three love relationships reflect each other almost to a fault and seem over-scripted ...but yet...it works. We get some fresh insights on how men and women think differently about managing a relationship, yet they come up with the same answers we all do in the end. Finally, the sweetness of Once Upon A Time...might seem like cheese at times...but when it comes to dramas...I like both.

Read More

Enjoyable Storyline

It is enjoyable to watch a storyline where no-one is demeaning to another. ML and FL are on the same footing. He isn't a Bad Boy nor a rich pouting man. He doesn't demean or yank around FL. FL isn't a mumbling , weak minded female. The countryside and seaside scenery is spectacular! I can't wait to see what happens in the following episodes. It doesn't look good for the local nice guy, then again most of the romantic dramas are like that. I like where one has to go to get a good cup of coffee.

City girl vs Country girl interesting. So far my only criticism is that Lee Sang Hyun is too nice. If someone took my girl I'd be angry, not nice like him. I really enjoyed this Storyline. I would recommend it to be watch. It's funny and make one yearn for the countryside. In the countryside one relax and forget the city and it's traffic , hustle and bustling life.

I will watch it again.

Read More