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.

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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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