My Sweet Mobster (2024)

Childhood Connection Trope Done Right

My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.

I loved Eom Tae Gu’s (엄태구) character and acting in Save Me 2, so I was happy to see him again. I was watching this drama while watching Dreaming of A Freaking Fairytale (which has a similar zany, cartoonish vibe and even share the same second male lead) and I ended up liking this drama more.

Acting/Cast: A great cast of characters. They’re all very distinct from one another but are believable as a family. I enjoyed getting to know all of them. I liked the leads a lot as well as the second male lead. I think they were the strongest actors. 7.5/10

Writing: I wasn’t sure how to feel about this drama in the beginning. I typically don’t like over-the-top cartoony style comedy, but this drama ended up being really cute. I was so impressed by the character building and relationship building. It was refreshing to see such good character development in a rom-com. I’m a bit of a sucker for “enemies to lovers” romances though. I like what they did with the second male lead’s character. It was different from how I expected it to go. Yes, a lot of dumb, cliché things happen in this drama, but the overall plot is really sad yet beautiful if you think about it. I really like the childhood connection trope in this drama. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it written as well as this. It’s really meaningful to the story; it isn’t just throw in. Also, their childhood connection isn’t why they love each other – they actually fall in love with who each other are in the present before finding out about their past connection. I can say that I didn’t like the ending. My only explanation for how it ended is that they’re leaving it open for a second season. I don’t think it needs one though, so I wish they would have wrapped up the drama well. They leave two hinted side love stories just hanging there with pretty much zero development. The main love story is left unfinished, too, which is unsatisfying. I also think the male lead needs to care more about his own life since there’s so many people that rely on him. Please stop taking L’s for psychotic unrepentant criminals. Sorry, I don’t find it sweet or heroic at all. Something I don’t like about dramas that are too sweet or feel-good is that they try to give redemption arcs to antagonists even when it doesn’t make sense for them to have one. Sometimes you just got to let the villains villain. 6/10

Direction/SFX/Music: This drama has a very cartoonish style. To put it in perspective, the main villain purposely acts and looks like the 90s cartoon version of Batman’s Joker. He even says “Why so serious?” if anyone had still been wondering who he’s doing a parody of. The drama also has a vintage feel, as if I were watching something from 2016 or earlier. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, as well. I actually thought I would end up dropping this drama because of all these reasons; it’s not the type of drama I usually watch. However, the exceptional writing saved it. The music is decent. There is one song in particular that I really like – See The Moon by LeeZe. 4.5/10

Entertainment Value: It was a little slow in the beginning. I actually thought I would end up dropping it. Although, once I accepted the style and saw what they were doing with the story, it became a very enjoyable watch. It wasn’t too light or too heavy. I liked watching all of the characters, especially the leads. By the end, however, I started getting bored because the ending was looking like it was going to be a pretty cliché one, unfortunately. For the most part, I had fun. That playground scene in the earlier part of the drama was hilarious, by the way. Give me more of that. 6/10

Overall, I gave this drama a 6/10. On my scale, a rating of 6 and above is in the ‘would recommend’ zone. Very cute with great leads and a sweet story, but the ending disappointed me.

I made a short music video for this drama that captures what I really liked about the plot. It’s on YouTube and it’s called “My Sweet Mobster | End Of Beginning” and my channel name is The Enablers (@theenablers3846).

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Stigmas and Second Chances

This drama is like a warm hug on a rainy day. It's got all the feels, you know? You've got Seo Ji Hwan, this ex-gangster trying to make a fresh start, but everyone's got him pegged as a bad guy. It's so unfair! Then there's Eun Ha, this super sweet children's content creator who's got her own set of challenges.

Their paths collide in the most chaotic way, but it's actually kinda cute how they slowly start to understand each other. I mean, the way they support each other through thick and thin is chef's kiss. It's not all sunshine and rainbows though, there are some seriously heartbreaking moments that will have you reaching for the tissues.

I loved the side characters too! The prosecutor, his colleagues and Seo Ji Hwan's employees as well. Total clowns, but somehow, you grow to love their crazy antics.
It's one of those dramas that makes you laugh, cry, and everything in between. If you're looking for a story that's both heartwarming and thought-provoking, this is it!

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snooze..

So I hate to say it, but this one sucked. It was basically what I would classify as the most traditional type of Korean romcom except it had a little gangster drama as well… except the gangster drama was incredibly half baked and had nothing to do with the rest of the story. They just kind of inserted it in there at the end for some drama. I genuinely was so bored the whole time I was watching this, there was absolutely nothing original or interesting besides the second leads’ romance (but also not that original either), and they barely even gave them screen time during the whole drama. Overall pretty disappointing, to be honest this wouldn’t top any list of mine because it is entirely mediocre as both a romcom and an action drama and a brainless “rotting in bed” watch and everything in between. The only upside is (spoilers) there isn't an annoying breakup or fight between the leads like in the 2016-2018 kdrama era. Very little angst overall unless you count some of the latter episodes (except the angst there couldn't even be taken seriously half the time).

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This show started with a good concept and mostly did it well. An ex-mobster and a children's content creator falling in love is a good idea. It was enjoyable. The rom-com was rom-com-ing. The only issue i had was it had a bit too much of comedy instead of romance but i think it's common in korean rom coms. After the couple gets together they either stick with more comedy into them or completely remove the comedy. Here, they continued with the comedy for a while and didn't build the romance until the last few episodes (at least for me). They really dragged the childhood friend plot and the ex-gang plot for too long that their reveals/endings were boring. The last few episodes were kind of boring. With all that said this was still nice.
I really liked the Prosecutor too. He was a good addition to the story and made it more wholesome. Minho and ll-young were also a great side couple. I would watch a whole mini-series of just them. The actor who played ll-young kinda stole the spotlight every time he was on the screen.
I also love that they tried something new with Eunha being a youtuber. It gave her a uniqueness. I liked the little 'like, share and subscribe' they did every episode with the cast.
This was a drama with a great starting which kind of fizzled out in the end

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This should be way more popular

Honestly, I didn't think that I'll enjoy it as much as I did. It's like a hidden gem in the big pile of the other stones. It has everything you need in a romcom - cuteness, actual comedy, romance and, the best thing ever, logical plot.

Seo Ji Hwan (Uhm Tae Goo) is an ex mobster that leads ordinary life nowadays. He has his own company and the group of ex-convicts that he treats like his family. You may think that he's an ordinary cold guy as we have seen many times in a romcom genre. You know, the type to be indifferent to everyone but that one girl. Surprise-surprise, it's not that at all. Ji Hwan is a kind man who always cares about his so-called family, his other employees and even about the people who don't deserve it. He's polite, he's gentle and he's actually shy. There is his gangster side, but he is still choosing to be a good man, even in those scenes when he needs to be a mobster. He has a great sense of responsibility, and he is respected by everyone in this drama not because of his past, but because of who he is. There's even a time when his love rival tells him that he's actually a good man, and he changed his mind about him.

On the other hand, we have Ji Hwan with Eun Ha and oh boy, he's so cute, really. He's loveable, he's a big baby of this drama. And he's extremely gentle with her, he wants her to be happy at all times and cares about her. He falls quickly, and he never once looks back at his feelings. He's bad at expressing them, but his feelings are pure.

And he's funny! I have no idea how Uhm Tae Goo did this, but Ji Hwan is funny all the time in this drama, even in the romantic scenes. Tae Goo did an amazing job portraying Ji Hwan it's like him being all moody in one scene because of his love rival and being completely smitten when Eun Ha comes to the picture. I'm completely shocked because of him, I'm in love with his performance in this drama, I don't have enough words to describe how good he is here

Our dear Ko Eun Ha (Han Seon Hwa) is like one of the best characters I've ever seen in a romcom. She has her own morals, she's kind and very understanding. I truly fell in love with her the moment she was gentle with Ye Na who's basically her competitor in the content for kids. She was always calm, she never answers to the toxicity with toxicity, no. She's kind, gentle and knows what she wants. Furthermore, she's not picky and does an honest work. She just wants to make children happy with her content. It's a shame that we don't know much about her, like her backstory is not that big, but at the same time it's good because she's like a character at the end of the drama. She has already found out what she wants to do, figured out her place in the world, and she's doing what she can.

And all of that goes for her relationships with Ji Hwan too. She never once feared him or judged him for his past. Even when she saw his ugly sides and him losing control of himself. She was always on his side, not even once holding a grudge against him. There was no misunderstanding between them, she always knew his motives and his feelings. He just needed to make the first step towards her. And he did

They both are independent on their own, so there's no character development in this drama because they're already the best versions of themselves. And you just watch two adults, who's very similar in personality, falling in love. And their whole journey was cute and loveable. They talk to each other and quickly resolve their issues, they trust each other with everything. And most surprisingly all bad moments between them are logical, they argue not because of one's insecurity, no, they argue because something really dangerous is happening. It's still a mobster drama, after all. But don't worry there's not much mob drama, this drama not about the gangs, fighting for power etc. no this drama about the good people who were able to break free of their ugly past and live ordinary life and that's the beauty of it

As for the side characters - I really loved them all. Even the prosecutor Jang Hyun Woo (Kwon Yul) who is Ji Hwan's love rival is eventually a good man that admits his mistakes and steps out when he needs. He really takes every situation like an adult man, and I like it very much

The second couple with Il Young (Ji Hwan's "right hand") and Mi Ho (Eun Ha's friend) is really cute, they have more passionate romance, but it also happens very off scene. Regardless, I've enjoyed their chemistry and their scenes

The whole Ji Hwan's so-called family is great too. Originally, I thought that they were there just for the comedy, but they actually felt like Eun Ha and Ji Hwan's family the whole time. The most warm interactions in the drama are when they are involved.

Even Ye Na, Eun Ha's competitor, became cute towards the end. I couldn't dislike her like in the beginning.

And the last thing - the plot itself. I don't think it's pure romcom I'd say it's slice of life with romcom elements. The drama doesn't have some end goal, some "defeat the evil" plot, no, all characters just live their lives and have their ups and downs. Even with the mob side plot it wasn't that dramatic, everything went very smoothly and logically. There's no stupid break up, no misunderstanding, no grandpas that don't approve the marriage. It was good from beginning to the end and I enjoyed every second of it

I would recommend it to the enjoyers of very sweet and gentle romance, mob stories (because honestly? Uhm Tae Goo was excellent playing his signature gangster role, wow), straightforward female lead and non-cliché romance. And finally - this drama should be waaaaaay more popular it deserves it

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How do people even enjoy this?

Maybe if you’re in for some light fun, this is the one for you. Personally, I can’t help but judge the characters by their personalities when it comes to enjoying dramas. The female lead’s acting is questionable. She’s a great actress, but in this drama she looks dull and tired all the time. Second, her character is just… bland. Her two obsessions: Her childhood friend, and her love for children(which stems for her love for her childhood friend). It’s ridiculous that a 30 year old woman is so helpless and clueless like she just stepped into the world. She does really odd things that any normal person would find weird. Im sick of the damsel in distress plot as well. Please, why do women need to be saved by the man all the time? It’s not romantic at all, especially when you’re trying to show it that way what with the slow-mo and the romantic music.

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Funny is his middle name.

My Sweet Mobster had me laughing out loud within the first few minutes. The Male Lead, who is a mobster going straight, has Vito Corleone down to the V I T O. He is killing me. Well written, this drama uses a lot of well connect witty puns. I laughed so many times, I am wondering if My Sweet Mobster can keep this up. The cartoon inlays overlaid onto the live action gives the drama a Webtoon feel at times. With the Italian music in the background, it is so strange. My Sweet Mobster is turning out to be an underdog sleeper of a hit for me, with thoroughly engaging characters. You must try it.

Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone and Uhm Tae Goo as ex-mobster Seo Ji Hwan imitating Art.

The story is about a mobster who is turning over a new leaf, running a respectful business, while helping other former mob types to go straight too. The Female Lead is a child video artist with a big heart and who might be the answer to the ML’s prayers, literally. Standing in his way is a staunch Prosecutor who does not think that ex-cons can reform, and he likes the same girl.

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A fun giggly cuddly romantic comedy

Please ignore the negative reviews for this drama. This was exactly what I needed at the moment. It's a cute romantic comedy that also involves a very special meaning with it. Everyone deserves a second chance and this drama is trying to portray that. The cast is perfect. The male lead has the mobster aura at the same time he is a pookie. Uhm tae goo is nailing this role! Female lead is also 10/10. The supporting cast makes it even better. They are all so funny. I have a good feeling that this drama is gonna keep the energy till the end. Please give it a try you won't regret it!!!

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Unexpected laughter!

I never expect that I would loved this drama. It maybe annoying and corny but that makes me laugh. The cast are perfectly funny, they put a smile in my heart. I heard that its the reunion team up of the ML and the FL ther previous projects togetheris,more serious type this time is the comedic side and his very effective in making me laugh.
I more appreciate Uhm Tae Goo now,, I used to see,his past projects but he used to be a villain or red flag, his such an effective actor because I hated his character Before I used to get annoyed in hearing his voice but now his voice is like music to my ears. The way he approach the FL pleases me too.
All the cast are funny in their own little way, they have their way of making us,laugh, it maybe corny sometimes but that what makes me laugh.
The innocence of the ML makes it more fun because its his first time to experience than feeling, its his first time in expressing his love for her special someone.
They have found each other, its been a long time that they are looking for their childhood love

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I have watched over 300 kdrama series at this point and I loved it

10/10 is my rating. This is a 2024 South Korean romantic comedy drama with 16, 60 minute episodes.

First, I provide a unique synopsis and then review


Synopsis

 Go Eun-ha (Han Sun-hwa) is an influencer and web entertainer who has a persona “Sister Mini” with content targeted for young audiences.  She is beloved among her young followers, and they want whatever product placement items she shows.  When a milk product she was promoting lands children in the hospital, it sends Eun ha’s web career into a tailspin.  She offers to go on sabbatical to minimize the damage to the image of the company she works for as well as give herself time to personally recover from what she feels like is her responsibility.  During this volatile time, Eun ha encounters former mobster, and current CEO, Seo Ji-Hwan (Uhm Tae-goo) and his team of ex-cons who run a food company intended to offer ex-convicts a fresh start.  Ji Hwan is enamored with Eun ha and finds her television persona particularly compelling becoming a closet fan of her content.  And most of his closest friends and management team Joo Il-young (Kim Hyun-jin), Kwak Jae-soo (Yang Hyun-min), Jung Man-ho (Lee Yoo-joon), Yang Hong-ki (Moon Dong-hyeok), and Seo Dong-hee (Park Jae-chan) are willing to play match maker to see their mentor and friend find happiness. 

Review

I loved this. One of my new favorites. I have watched over 300, mostly korean, drama series now so I am really picky. I thought the characters were very well developed. The “thugs” were very likable and it exhibited how you can firm a family with people that love and mutually support each other. The friendships and romances were very heart warming. I highly recommend it and will be watching it again.

 
Spoilers

 Il Young and Koo Mi-ho’s (Moon Ji-in) second romance represents one of my favorite tropes.  The playboy who encounters that one girl he just can’t seem to forget.  I liked his friendship with Jihwan and her friendship with Eunha.  They were both very supportive friends and it made sense in their interactions, that ultimately got the main couple together, they would have noticed each other.

 I never felt too bad for second guy, Jang Hyun-woo (Kwon Yul) as he had so many opportunities to romance main girl but had this sort of aloof wait for her to catch the feels that was sure to make him lose out to the far more compelling Jihwan.  I found him very admirable in his support of main girl, and he was a stand-up person in telling Eunha the truth about who Jihwan was as well as his willingness to re-evaluate what he thought about Jihwan. He finally fully let go of her and just wished her happiness even if not with him. He was just a great guy who became a great friend for Jihwan as well.

 I loved the ex-con team.  They were such great friends to Jihwan and I liked the way they did not like Eunha at first but then became her greatest advocates.  Jaesoo calling Eunha “Little Rat” in derision in the beginning then later as a pet name was a cute addition to the storyline.

#MySweetMobster  #UhmTaeGoo  #HanSunHwa  #KwonYul   #KimHyunJin  #YangHyunMin   #LeeYooJoon   #MoonDongHyeok   #ParkJaeChan  #MoonJiIn

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