Exo – The Drama Bone

I read some amazing reviews about this one and it was recently trending in Kdrama-world. I developed high hopes from this drama. I am no baker or even a cook but I love breads, cakes, pies and desserts. I love the aroma from a bakery, the set up and designs, the whole idea of owning a bakery or cafe. Having a drama based exclusively on baking, I thought I would really enjoy it. Since it was just 5 episodes web series, I was drawn in the greed of finishing it quickly.

A genius patissier, with talent far beyond his years, Han Do Woo is a chef unparalleled in the world of pastries. The master chef of his own bakery, it’s often been said that if one is lucky enough to enjoy one of Do Woo’s pastries, one’s own wishes are sure to come true. With such rumors floating around, it doesn’t take long for Do Woo’s mysterious bakery to become the talk of the town. As the buzz around Do Woo and his bakery grows, it’s only a matter of time before he catches the media’s eye. A writer for the hit baking show, “Top 3 Bakery Kings”, Noh Mi Rae, is determined to get Do Woo to join the cast. There’s just one problem, Do Woo wants nothing to do with her or her show. With her job on the line, Mi Rae tries anything and everything to get Do Woo to make an appearance on her show. Infiltrating the bakery, Mi Rae’s desperation leads her down an unexpected path as her attempts to woo Do Woo slowly begin to cause her own heart to flutter. Could all this time spent with the mysterious patissier eventually lead to love?
Source: Viki

I was intrigued by the title itself which I kept misreading as ‘how bread are u’ (maybe in a parallel universe I created this one). The uniqueness certainly attracted me to know what’s it about. I love ‘love stories’ and watching ‘mukbangs’ is something I feed on. A drama that is a combination of two would is nothing short of nirvana for people like me.

I have to admit I absolutely loved the titled and how the meaning behind was explained explicitly. It had all- depth, beauty and significance.

A span of around 250 minutes or 4 hours to finish the series would not leave much time for flashbacks or story development. I initially thought this was a plus point as some Kdramas can take too much time in building characters or their past. Cut right through the chase and land directly on the issue. However, as drama progressed forward I felt the rush. I thought some elements were spiralled out of nowhere. For example- the whole pendulum felt weird and uncalled for. The way it was filmed and written did everything but help. It took way the realism of the story. What seemed as a plus point (short duration of the drama) turned into a stinging one.

Note: The character with pendulum was played by Moon Ji Yoon, who recently passed away due to blood poisoning. It was his last drama. I have nothing against the actor and have admired his acting in dramas like 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo'. I even liked his comical role here, but I did not like the way it was written. May he rest in peace.

Another thing I like about the drama is a hint of role reversal. Here, the guy is the sacrificial one, staying away from the girl to not hurt her. Whereas the girl tries to confront her feelings and conquer her love. I would have honestly liked if the plot stuck to it’s original and literal meaning, and was a simple love story with baking at its centre.

The being said, the baking competition segment was fairly interesting. It had layers of meaning that provided the drama with much needed depth.

The characters did not have a lot of time to prove themselves, I understand that. However, I felt the acting couldn’t invoke a lot of emotions for me. All the smiles, smirks and butterflies I feel while watching a kdrama, I missed that. Although, there was chemistry between the leads, it wasn’t explored or exploited on. Suho is a great Kpop Idol, it was my first watching him in a drama ever, so I have nothing to draw my comparisons to. Yet, I believe his emotions got lost somewhere before they could come on the screen.

I really liked the OST ‘The Second Farewell‘. It is poignant. The OST sung by Suho ‘Sedansugo‘ is pretty good too. It has a happy vibe and you should definitely listen if you are Suho or Exo fan.

Even with a bitter-sweet ending filled with hope, the drama had some loose ends. It could have finished smoother by closing some of the loops. The drama was filmed four years ago so I cannot comment how it would have turned out if it was filmed with actors now in their mature age. I can also not comment how it would have been perceived by the audience if it was released 4 years ago.

Overall, I would say yes it was worth to watch the drama for it’s creative concept. But I probably would not pick it up again. I would recommend watching it if you hold romance in one hand and food in other.

Why watch it?

For its concept and creativity
If you like short web series you can quickly finish
If you like watching mukbangs/romance rolled into a drama
If you are an Exo-l/Suho fan
If you are a Lee Se Young fan
If you like baking, cakes and pastry

To watch (with English subtitles), go to Viki

Comment down below if this review was helpful and your views on the drama. Also suggest dramas that I should view and review next.

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As an avid kpop listener, I wish to step outside the usual drama reviews and present my thoughts on something more current and on-going. Making waves in the kpop industry is a group called SuperM.

Ever since the news of SuperM broke Kpop fans have been divided into two, supporters of multifandom and supporters of mono fandom. SuperM as we know is a recently debuted group comprising of various SM boy band members. Kai and Baekhyun from EXO, Taemin from Shinee, Taeyong, Mark, Ten and Lucas from NCT 127 and WayV.

They are famously called the “Avengers of Kpop” who work well both together and separately. Albeit true, it hasn’t gone down well with many fans who argue that it takes away from their previous commitments. Also, some members are due for their mandatory military services soon enough for the band to not even be able to come together before they depart. One such argument can also be made that a mix of girl group could also be promoted. Consider Girls Generation and Red Velvet. (Avengers includes characters like Black Widow as well.)

One needs to take a closer look at the bands exponential promotions overseas as compared to their home country, South Korea. This is an indication of easy acceptance of multifandom abroad as compared to Korea, where fan wars take a darker turn.

A group like SuperM gives these artists a chance to explore their music and style beyond the groups which was earlier only possibly via solo endeavours. Such groups might allow artists to be a lot more of themselves as they are relatively more restricted in their respective homogeneous groups when it comes to lineup and positions.

My only fear from this outcome is dilution of original groups, in terms of frequency of new songs, albums and appearances. Although the concept of supergroup or even cross company group is great for boosting the kpop industry as a whole, it also means diversion of views on music videos, sharing of revenues, space on music charts for which the companies might not be ready.

Personally, I would love for such collaboration and projects to take place in future, not just within the same company but cross company as well. Such collaboration should not only be restricted to girl-girl groups or guy-guy groups. KARD being a great example of successful coed group.

Introduction of people from different backgrounds and ethnicity was uncommon but SuperM along with group called Zpop might just set the trend.

Formation of co-ed and cross company groups would bring a new depth to Kpop, imagine a very typical but much awaited Black Pink x BTS. Such groups would invite a wider audience, reduce fan wars by not only inducing empathy and tolerance but celebration of uniqueness and differences between groups. They can possibly generate more gender neutral songs and music, ultimately going from ‘she’ or ‘he’ to ‘we’.

Disclaimer
This post is intended solely for information and entertainment purposes and is a representation of author’s opinion. It is in no way an attempt to disregard views of any group or their respective fans. The post does not aim to distort views of any reader. Reader discretion is advised.

Tag: Exo

How Are U Bread: Kdrama Review|The Drama Bone

Thought: What does the debut of SuperM who are regarded as ‘Avengers of Kpop’ actually mean for Kpop Industry?