Esta resenha pode conter spoilers
With the drama synopsis looks so gloomy, its easy to skip this gem drama. As I don't even look at it first. But how I was wrong, this drama is so moving. The storyline is pretty strong with the setting of hospice and first love gone wrong case. All the side characters story are deeply moving and keep me interested enough to continue watching. Of course, the slowburn romance between the doctor and the chef is so addictive. Yoon Kye Sang & Ha Ji Won played so well here in depicting the forbidden love between them, due to misunderstanding & wrong timing.
Perhaps, there some minus to this drama. Like the family background competition which is so common in k-drama. And the formula of additional tragedies in the start of the drama is a bit too much.
Overall, this is a beautiful drama. And have I mentioned it? The OST is to die for! Try it Special no 7 by Yubin. And of course the OST that personally sang by the 2 leads. YOU & I.
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
Waffley Bit...
This is a really slow burn romance, and they manage to do something that most really don't do very well at all - they manage to find a way to get the two leads actually in an ice cold place (at least from one side) to where he actually can't stand the sight of her and then slowly turn the heat up throughout - it's a good 7 or so episodes in before there's thawing even, let alone when they get to kiss (which is much further in). I liked that nothing was just magically resolved, they went through things and just because they are decent human beings ended up in situations helping each other and that's what starts to grow their affections.
The story is principally based around a Hospice that provides palliative care for the terminally ill and helping ease their way in their final time. You can immediately tell from that that there's going to be a lot of characters passing away and that's the source of a great many sad moments throughout, lots of different stories and backgrounds for the characters, and how they resolve them. I was particularly engaged by the story about Michael, his adopted American mother and his birth Korean mother and how that story develops. It is quite emotionally tiring though as there's quite a lot of it throughout so keep that in mind.
The other major theme in the story is cooking and food. With Ha Ji Won's character being a renowned Chef there are many opportunities for cooking to be shown and they don't shy away from it at all. Imagine the kind of detail you get in medical dramas and now put that in cooking - there's a lot you can learn about Korean food and how it's prepared, what the ingredients are and so forth in this show. I recognised Jajamyeong being prepared in one of the recipes straight away and I don't think any steps were left out at all - which I found really interesting and unusual. I realise that's a pretty straight forward recipe but hey, I'm no expert :)
Some of the story takes place on an island in the south of Korea called Wondo, I always appreciate stories that venture out to the islands a bit more because it feels more like "real" Korea than the westernised way that Seoul is usually presented (not that I have anything against Seoul), some lovely scenery and great shots out there.
The story with the Director at the Hospice and his first wife was another particularly touching one, it's another one that runs throughout most of the story and you discover new things about their history, how they got to be where they are and so forth at various times during the story. I always enjoy watching Kim Won Hae anyway and this was one of his more emotional roles I think.
There is one patient story which kinda sneaks in about a YouTuber that forms the basis for one of the most profound messages in the drama which Cha-Young's brother says to the screen as if recording a YouTube video - but really, I suspect it's intended as a message from the production and writing teams to the viewer, breaking the fourth wall.
The title is an interesting choice, because on the one hand chocolate doesn't figure much in the story at all... but if you think about it more after you've watched it you'll realise it was the foundation of the entire story from just about the moment it starts.
Soundtrack is superb, I need to listen to it properly on its own but you can tell a good soundtrack when you are humming along to the songs as they come up during the drama.
Annoyances...
The only real annoying for me was the male lead's family, a typical shouty moany whiney fighty schemey Chaebol type family - I get that they are probably meant to provide the counterpoint to the deep messages being put out by the time in the Hospice but it just got a bit much at times. I didn't fast forward anything while watching - but the scenes with that family would be the ones i'd fast forward through on a re-watch, without a doubt.
I didn't really appreciate the ending. I like that it ended on a positive, but I just thought the way it was done made absolutely no sense to me what so ever. I was honestly expecting them to end up running Bada Restaurant in Wondo, both being chefs and making people happy, taking forward their life lessons from the Hospice. I expect i'm missing something deep and and meaningful but... I still missed it.
Overall I really enjoyed it, I was hyped that Ha Ji Won was in another drama, one of my favourite actresses. Really glad I watched it but a re-watch is less likely as I didn't really appreciate the ending as much as I hoped I would.
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
Esta resenha pode conter spoilers
I really cannot understand how the korean writers can write amazing stories but cannot write a god damn proper final. I did not like the ending. At all. The 'solutions' to the problems were found in the most basic way or ignoring their existence overall. I could not get the reasoning behind Moon Cha Youngs' final decision. Overall, the last episode felt like two episodes were merged into one by cutting parts out, and so it didn't feel cohesive. I liked this drama. The only thing I didn't agree with was her leaving. If it had been because she learned the truth about his mom then I could understand her wanting some time because she might be guilty (which she shouldn't), but her leaving because of what happened with her mom? Nope, I feel like that's when you would want to be closer to the person you love.
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
Another average entrant into the sea of Korean dramas on Netflix
Korean dramas are reaching wider audiences thanks to Netflix’s foray, but Netflix’s flawed “Match” ratings system obfuscates true kdrama gems. Luckily, the backlog of dramas are mostly well-received ones from trusted cable networks, like jtbc and tvN. The same is not true for the new dramas. (On a tangent, Netflix produced dramas are pretty mediocre less Kingdom, which is still incomplete).Even the jtbc and tvN dramas from 2019 have been slightly worse than previous years. Albeit, my 2019 favorites, Be Melodramatic/Her Private Life/Search: WWW were not available on Netflix (US region). In this context, Chocolate is just another average show. I will skip straight to recommendations! One Spring Night and Romance is a Bonus Book are both available on Netflix. Dr. John is a more makjang medical drama, and Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim (season 1) is a better character driven medical drama.
Story:
As average as Chocolate is, it covers many typical Korean drama tropes that might be beneficial to experience for new viewers. The main leads are tangled from childhood to present, both have traumatic pasts to overcome, and their relationship develops slowly. The only “different” wrinkle is mixing cooking and medical genres, and as good as the food looked, it adds surprisingly little to the plot (a.k.a. Medicine cannot cure these people so give them a yummy last meal…). If this is one of your first Korean dramas, look forward to all the amazing ways this format can stretch tired tropes, just not in Chocolate.
Acting:
The two main leads, Yoon Kye-Sang and Ha Ji-Won, have a strong, subtle chemistry and deliver adequately, but the support/guest roles are the highlight. Major props to Kim Won-Hae who owns a much more serious role than his usual. I also enjoyed Yeom Hye-Ran’s part (especially coming off of a strong performance in When the Camellia Blooms). Even the guests are fun, like Yubin with the guest role AND OST credit.
Music:
Segueing into music, Chocolate relies on a surprising amount of k-pop idols, from Yubin to Seventeen to Hui (from Pentagon). There is also a solid presence of k-ballad/ost veterans. The backing sounds of Chocolate remained strong throughout, and the high production value of Chocolate shines through its beautiful settings and its credentialed musical cast.
Rewatch Value:
I already gave recommendations upfront and stand by them here. Chocolate is a totally acceptable watch (contrary to its 6.5 rating) but leaves little impact afterwards. Personally, taking more risks in storytelling would have been appreciated, even if it were to land a bit flat. In that regard, Doctor John is a great example of turning the stereotypical korean drama tropes up one notch.
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
The series didn't deliver what was advertised in the synopsis, but something even better. An emotional roller coaster ride from the romance to the hospice center where most of the series takes place.
I felt like every character deserved main character status, and I loved them all.
I'm so glad I started with this series and will definitely be recommending it to others as well as re-watching it later on when I need a good cry or a good laugh. I really miss these characters already!
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
It was coooking show that was sponsored by Quiznos
This drama had a lot of potential but instead ended up as a waste of time. After putting up with missed story lines and focusing on the side plot, instead of focusing on the primary couple (OPC), I had to simply fast forward to focus on the main plot.For me, It was after Episode 13-14, the main story started to unfold and became somewhat enjoyable.
I liked the theme of the story.. Find compassion through other those people who are witnessing their final moments on this planet.
I liked how tragedy made the person facing the difficult situation stronger.
From Episodes 3-14, I was simply frustrated. There were countless scenes of cooking, after cooking..Meaningless scenes with a car pulling up to a parking lot with nothing to follow!!
I wish this story could have been told differently or a shorter version.
I do not recommend this drama.
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
Esta resenha pode conter spoilers
WARNING! This review will contain spoilers." The value of one's life is determined by how much love one gives, not by how much love one has received." by Epictetus
Let me be honest. At first, I did not want to start this drama because it sounded too emotional for me when I first heard about the story. Now I have to tell you that I do not regret starting watching it. It was worth to spend time on each episode even when my exams were near.
I wasn't so interested in the story, but after I started watching it I've realized there was so much more behind it. It wasn't just one story. In a frame story, there were so many other stories. Every single one was meaningful and touching. ( I was crying a lot while watching this drama.) I've found this k-drama very detailed and well-written. I think the writer did a great job. So I give 9.5 for this, that -0,5 point is for a scene at the end which I don't understand but I hope after watching it over I will.
Being honest I am not a fan of Ha Ji Won but I think her acting skill is not a joke. She has shown us the character development of Moon Chae Young. She portrayed an innocent, kind, cheerful, helpful and thankful for her life's saver grown-up woman who has a deep wound in her heart. She did an excellent job. Let give her a big applause!
I've seen Yoon Kye Sang in a drama before but I didn't remember him ( I still do not remember his acting in that drama, I'm so sorry Ahjussi). I think Lee Kang's character was made for him. That nice end lively boy was growing up in an environment that was just not for him. I have to tell you that I am very happy about the fact that k-drama world shows up that kind of main leads who are much more loveable like Ko Ji Seok ( Kim Seon Ho) from Catch the Ghost or Hwang Yong Sik ( Kang Ha Neul) from When the Camellia Blooms. Even though Lee Kang was not so likable sometimes but still we could understand him.
There are two more people I have to mention for you who deserves it. First is Lee Jun (Jang Seung Jo) who had the biggest character development in the whole story. I think we all can agree. At first, I thought: Oh my, here is another spoiled kid, but he is NOT at all! He did not want to be that kind of person, he wanted to do something different, he just wanted to be the same as others. This is what makes him a person. Jang Seung Jo is a great actor who has excellent skills for acting.
The second person who deserves a few words is Moon Tae Hyun ( Min Jin Woong), brother of Chae Young. I think a lot's watcher hated him because he was annoying, always causing problems for his sister. I've found him annoying too, but I'm happy because the writer didn't put him aside. They showed us what made him be like that. He loves his sister but how could he become a decent person when he just saw a bad example from his mother?
I give 9.0 for the acting/cast. Let's give them (not just the main leads but every supporting actor, actress) applause because they deserve it.
I give 10 for the OSTs because every single one of them is beautiful and meaningful.
Rewatch value is 10. I want to watch it again, even if it is just for the small stories. I think I can learn a lot from this.
Everyone, let's stop for a moment every day and value what you have.
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
They started so well! Anyway...i cheered for the characters till the end. Good effort everyone, i still enjoyed watching it :)
.................
..................
...................
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
An extremely poorly told story
This drama was the most frustrating and disappointing that I have ever seen. A good story destroyed by poorly written script and even worse direction and editing. It is an example of how good actors can have their performances overturned by a very weak script and direction. Even so, I watched until the last episode with the expectation that I could be wrong and even it get better due to the promising opening scene of their reecounter reunion in Greece, and I was punished with a very weak ending beyond what was the obvious ending that protagonists would be together. Still, I wish I would watch a remake, which could be with the same actors, but with a completely redesigned script and new direction. Best set designer and costume designer would also be welcome.Esta resenha foi útil para você?
Loved it a LOT!
Hello Friends,I am very new to this site. Also, this is my first ever review I am writing as a viewer.
I have just started to watch KDrama. I had heard my friends raving about them. I thought to give it a try. I am glad that I got to see Chocolate as one of my very first KDrama series I started to watch.
The lead characters were perfect for the role of childhood lovers who grew apart to find each other once again, The story is a mature love story told perfectly. The actors do justice to their roles. There are some moments which tend to stir something inside you emotionally and you shed a tear. There are plenty of heart warming moments as well. It is not often that you experience such myriad emotions in a series.
This gem deserves a perfect 10 from my side. As I write this, am wondering if there are any similar series as Chocolate? If not, am watching this again in the near future.
Enjoy!
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
I cannot put into words how intense and unique this drama is, but I’ll try!
To start off this review, if you’re looking for a typical cliche romance k-drama, this isn’t it; although I’m sure you’ll still love it. Yes, there’s some really good chemistry and cute romantic scenes, but the story consists of many other characters and stories that will keep you engaged. Seeing the characters develop throughout the plot as they learn from the past, teaches you many valuable life lessons, which is surprisingly rare in a lot of dramas.
My opinion:
The plot:
I kept putting this drama off thinking that I wouldn’t enjoy it for a while now, but I’m so glad that I finally decided to watch it. I haven’t been this addicted to a drama in a long time. The plot never got boring and truly emerged me into it making me feel so attached to the characters. I didn’t just feel like I was watching it, but I felt like I was their friend rooting for them and sobbing with them like a baby quite often. The entire story is filled with emotion and will leave you crying quite often. Many great people die and will make you sad as if you’re their friend. The happy moments will make you so happy you might also cry. I cried almost every episode, but in my opinion, that’s one of the main reasons this show is so good!
They truly mixed in family, romance, friendship, medicine, death, a but of humour, tragedy, cooking, and that delicious Godiva chocolate ;) so well! I’ve never seen a drama so successful with mixing so many genres. Especially chocolate. I’m a chocolate lover and I know this sounds cheesy, but this made me appreciate chocolate even more. I wouldn’t have been able to pick a better name for this show. I’m still craving that chocolate Lol. I also love it when a bit of humour is mixed in to relieve the tension; especially with a drama like this (it’s very intense and emotional). I found myself crying and laughing at the same time in a few scenes, which made me love it even more. Now, with all that being said, the end felt a bit rushed and I was left hanging on a few characters. I don’t want to spoil it, but there were a couple characters that I wished we got a better look at what their future may be like. I’m not sure if there will be a season 2, but I highly doubt it. Other than that, the whole drama is amazing and you should definitely watch it. I think anyone will enjoy it.
Acting/characters:
The acting and chemistry was so amazing! Everyone did a great job. Especially the patients suffering! I was truly shocked by how incredible the acting was and I believe they chose the perfect cast for this drama. The character development and learning from the past truly did inspire even myself as a person that relates to a lot of the characters situations and feelings to go out and enjoy life.
Music:
The music was perfect and very well done for the most part. There was one song that I kinda felt didn’t sound great, but that may just be me. Other than that, the music was great!
Rewatch Value:
I’m not the type that usually rewatches dramas, but maybe only a few scenes or episodes. I personally wouldn’t rewatch most things, but I feel like that depends on the person. I’ll probably watch it again in a few years when I forget a lot of it.
Regardless of the little things that may have lowered my rating a bit, this is definitely one of my top dramas. It’s full of valuable lessons about life, family, relationships, trauma, a person’s past, learning from your own and others mistakes, appropriating living life and making the most of it, and many more. I feel like each person will see this drama differently depending on your own past and situations, but I have no double that almost anyone will enjoy it. So if you have any doubts, put them aside and get watching!
Thanks for reading!!
Esta resenha foi útil para você?
