Chicken Nugget – K-drama Episode 8 Recap & Review

Episode 8

Episode 8 of Chicken Nugget begins with a clip from the 1800’s Joseon with a man running from four figures. The scene cuts to the present with our four aliens from Baekjung Chicken Nugget in Seon-man’s office. They find the note that Seon-man had written for the full time employee (but since he was too happy about going off to sauna, he never saw it). The four leave the office and stand talking to each other through telepathy until the employee leaves. We learn that these are good aliens who cannot harm humans. 

Back in the room, Baek-joong glances at the fly swatter and then glares at Thunder, Tae-man’s mechanical lady bird AI driven surveillance machine-cum-fighter. Thunder promptly senses the threat and electrocutes Baek-joong. Tae-man comes in with their food and relays to them the story of the machines. 

We travel way back in the 1880’s Joseon where Catholics are persecuted. A famous catholic scholar is killed and his family are stripped of their noble stature. We meet his son Jong Hyo-bong, considered a prodigy. He seems like a person way ahead of his time as he talks about social equality and changing the world. There are two commoners named Twerp and Wimp who assist him. 

One day, he goes to collect firewood and chances upon a spaceship which delivers 4 plastic looking aliens along with 2 purple machines. One of the alien transforms into a human while looking at a hologram of the said human. 

Hyo-bong is ecstatic and draws the story on a scroll (the same scroll that Tae-man’s family had). He vows to change the world and entices the commoners to help him.

Alternatively, we meet a nobleman who’s greatest pleasure is lying on the floor in his room, day-in and day-out. That night, he is kidnapped by the Hyo-bong and his two associates. Hyo-bong gets inside one of the machine and changes into the nobleman. They put the nobleman in the machine and Twerp holds on to a picture of Hyo-jong’s original appearance. But as soon as the machine starts, Hyo-bong makes the nobleman look at a stone and the nobleman is transformed into a rock. 

Hyo-bong, now posing as the nobleman, orders his attendants to kill Twerp and Wimp, and throw them in the river with the two machines. Hyo-bong as a nobleman is a new man now who likes women and visits gisaeng houses. One of these days, the aliens find him and ask about their machine. Hyo-jong runs away. They threaten him but on finding that he threw the machine away, they leave him saying that they don’t hurt humans.

The scene then cuts to the present. The four aliens have found the farmhouse and can sense the machines. Inside, we find that Dr. Yoo has been able to make the machines alive i.e they can now work once or twice. He wants to create a better world where humans are not destroying the planet and wants the aliens to become the masters of humans. 

He orders his mechanical dog to bite Tae-man and electrocute him and says that Dr. yoo knows about his evil plans. Comically, Tae-man calls out to his Thunder which electrocutes Dr. Yoo and they keep fighting amongst themselves. 

Meanwhile, Seon-man and Baek-joong arrive, with no Thunder to watch over them. Seon-man with a flamethrower and Baek-joong with a fly swatter. At this time, the aliens also enter the room.

The scene cuts to Joseon. Hyo-bong meets Twerp who refused to die out of resentment. He kills Hyo-bong and the episode ends with Twerp killing himself. 

The Episode Review

This episode was at its peak with the dry humour of Chicken Nugget, especially with Baek-joong and his fly swatter against a mechanical AI winged weapon. 

This episode also sheds light on certain social themes  – the inherent greed of humanity, how power corrupts individuals, the irony regarding the arrival of some extra-terrestrial figures who are more humane than humans themselves. 

This show, although absurd, packs everything we could ask for – humour, popular meme references, an absurd but a strong plot, witty dialogues, brilliant acting and now, social commentary? What else could we ask for! 

How did you like episode 8? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and we will see you in the next recap!