Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 2 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 3 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 4 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 5 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 6 -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 7 -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 8 -| Review Score – 4/5
Episode 9 -| Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 10 -| Review Score – 5/5
Netflix’s latest life-affirming limited series, Mr. Plankton, is arguably one of the best K-dramas with themes of self-discovery and healing released this year, even if it might seem like a chaotic romantic comedy at first.
Mr. Plankton centres on Hae-jo, a man abandoned by his family who now runs an errand service, taking on all kinds of jobs as long as they seem fun. This changes when Hae-jo agrees to kidnap a gang boss’s bride during her wedding, unaware that she’s scamming her groom. During the job, Hae-jo loses his balance while riding a bike and ends up in the hospital, where he learns he has inherited an incurable genetic disease and has a maximum of three months to live.
To make matters worse, he encounters his ex-girlfriend, Jae-mi, throwing a tantrum at the hospital after discovering that she’s suffering from early menopause and cannot conceive, threatening the legacy of her elite fiancé’s 500-year-old family tree. In a fit of indignation, Hae-jo decides to track down his biological father and “kidnaps” Jae-mi to accompany him on a journey to discover who he truly is.
Mr. Plankton begins as a typical romantic comedy with a terminal illness trope that might feel familiar to many fans. However, as the episodes progress, it transforms into a beautiful journey of healing and self-discovery, conveying a life-affirming moral that goes beyond Hae-jo’s illness.
Along the way, we meet characters who experience their own personal growth, each highlighting and showcasing various themes of the show. For instance, Heung’s mother, once ready to fight and die for their 500-year-old family legacy, decides to adopt another son. This idea—that family isn’t solely defined by blood ties—shines brightest in Hae-jo’s story, as he finally resolves his childhood trauma of abandonment, and in Jae-mi’s journey, as she discovers a family of her own among those who care about her.
The show also plays with nuances, beginning with the title and extending to the names of the three main characters, shaping their personalities. It’s no accident that the fun-loving Hae-jo, with a painful familial history, falls in love with Jae-mi, whose name literally means “amusement” or “fun.” Jae-mi represents someone who is fun, despite her difficult past growing up as an orphan, waiting for someone to adopt her. As for Heung, his name is a manifestation of the Korean expression symbolizing “fun and excitement,” which thoroughly exudes in his character.
These are not just stock characters functioning solely on their character themes though. As the series progresses, each individual gains depth, making them feel like real people with real problems who ultimately discover what it means to be themselves and find the meaning of life.
The show also features touching and heartfelt dialogues that help us delve deeper into the psyche of the characters. An example of this is when Hae-jo tells Heung, “You feel like you must do something? Well, f*** that s**t. Just let your instincts guide you. That way, you won’t get lost. You throw yourself into the unknown, then you’re not adrift anymore. You become a drifter,” when Heung shares that he feels lost in life. This quote also highlights the reason behind Hae-jo’s unpredictability, stemming from the deep sense of abandonment he feels.
Moreover, despite its seemingly dark plotline, the show is more light hearted, with plenty of comic relief that helps dilute its melancholic subtext. The cinematography is pleasing, with warm undertones that fit perfectly with the show’s life-affirming, bittersweet comic appeal.
Lastly, Mr. Plankton features brilliant performances by the cast, with Woo Do-hwan’s fiery chemistry with both rising star Lee Yoo-mi and veteran actor Oh Jung-se. Do-hwan skilfully portrays Hae-jo’s trauma and his readiness to accept any form of affection, while Lee Yoo-mi brings vitality to Jae-mi. And Oh Jung-se captures our hearts as the warmhearted and kind Eo-heung.
In a nutshell, Mr. Plankton gives us what Dear Hyeri (which finished its run a few weeks back to a disappointing flurry of episodes) couldn’t—exciting romance, meaningful relationships, heartfelt comedy, and a wholesome story about self-healing, growth, and the quest to find the meaning of life.
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Verdict - 8.5/10
8.5/10