Chocolate (2019)

A sensitive drama about family, hospice care, and mental health - and the healing power of food

I've actually rewatching "Chocolate" as I write this review - my first review for the first K-drama I've ever watched in my life (which happened about seven months ago).

My message to you is, watch it! Even though I've read elsewhere that it's considered somewhat old fashioned, I hope many Koreans watched it, because it sends so many important messages about love and self-care that we could all use.

What people mistake for gloominess is actually a courageous take on difficult subjects that are often avoided in polite Korean culture, like depression. It also tackles hospice care, dementia, and the immense pressure of familial expectations placed on Korean children. It's definitely got its melodramatic moments, and you will shed many cathartic tears.

It's beautifully shot, it's got a lot of heartwarming moments centered around food, and thankfully it's got plenty of moments of levity in between. All of this frames the beautiful love story between the two main characters - two wounded people who didn't seem like they could be together because of so much baggage in their younger lives.

The drama has gathered a real powerhouse of actors, from the leads, Ha Ji Won and Yoon Kye Sang (who is somehow, frustratingly, not getting enough career breaks, much as he tries), to Jang Seung Jo (YKS' rival cousin), Kim Won Hae (the hospice facility director), and Min Jin Woong (HJW's brother).

It's probably not going to affect you like this year's big hits. Think of this as the underdog drama that tries to send quiet messages of caring and concern to the people who probably need it most. There's plenty of room in the plot, the photography, and in the acting to appreciate this drama.

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Thumbs up with the development of the story!

It started with the main characters in unusual backgrounds. With busy career lines, health issues, cold and dull emotions, no one can expect how to make their ends meet. But the storyline gradually develops at a constant pace by becoming humane and more lovely towards the end. No pressures to love and they just allowed fate to draw them together. And this is what made it beautiful.

The supporting characters added majority of the weave in the story. I unexpectedly realize that they are the ones that made a huge impact to my tears in almost every episode. The OST and visuals are also excellent!

I wish there would be more happy details in the ending, like Kang proposing to Cha Young, or Cha Young managing the seaside restaurant. Their chemistry was really good!!

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When we think about chocolate and what it means for most of us, one of the thoughts that come up is that it is soothing and helps us feel better in our difficult times. Just like it's namesake the drama Chocolate also is very comforting. The notion that food provides us comfort in our hardest times is put forth in a remarkable manner. The actors portrayed their roles beautifully and the story was quite good. For some reason, I felt at ease after watching the drama. It was a new feeling after having watched the drama. I'm sure people who enjoy food as I do would take a liking for this drama too. Happy watching!

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A Sweet Romance with a Tasty Adventure.

Just a warning, there's discussion of sad themes such as death and trauma around this drama series.

I was excited to watch this drama because of Ha Ji Won, which seems to be a common occurrence. Her performance in this drama was excellent. This matched the main mc Yoon Key Sang. I think the chemistry between these two are amazing. I think the little downside was the "sad" mood this drama had, which in return had more of a weight between them then a comfy feeling.

In general, I loved the casting for this drama. Everyone seemed to fit the role of the characters they had. I also heavily enjoyed the OST for this drama.

The only thing I slightly disliked was the romance and relationship in this drama. The two mc's romance for each other felt very "cheesy" .

Overall, if you want to watch it, I will say go for it!

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If I'm being completely honest I was bored when I started watching it. I found the plot slow-paced and boring. I expected romance throughout it. I stopped watching the drama for a while and went back again because I didn't have anything else to watch. I didn't expect to be hooked. I started to understand the meaning of the drama and enjoyed it. It was incredibly emotional. It centered around a hospice and you grew to love characters. It was upsetting to see people's lives coming to an end and how it affected everyone. It had an impact on the way I thought about life and death. The romance aspect was good and realistic. When Cha-Young realized that she needed time alone I felt happy for her. I thought it was brave of her to be alone and I think that she needed the time alone. It showed a different side to romance. It showed that they don't have to depend on each other. It was refreshing. I also liked seeing character development. I think that many characters grew but seeing Kang's views and opinions change was particularly nice.

The acting was great and I think that the characters were portrayed well. I also loved the soundtrack as it was fitting. I listen to the soundtrack a lot. Personally, I think I'd struggle to rewatch it but I would be able to. The only thing stopping me is the first impression I had.

Overall, I recommend this drama to anyone that's looking for something a little different, refreshing, and emotional. However, if you're looking for something lighthearted and bubbly this isn't it.

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Une belle histoire

Effectivement au vu du résumé, on pourrait se dire : Histoire simple, on va s’ennuyer...

Et bien en fait, je mettrai ce drama dans la catégorie : Simple mais bon! J’ai vraiment passé un excellent moment, sans me prendre la tête, à me laisser porter par cette histoire qui est magnifique de par sa simplicité.

Très bien portée par les acteurs principaux, et traitant sincèrement de sujet sensibles tels que la fin de vie, se fut une magnifique bouffée d’oxygène.

Je ne regrette pas de m’être lancée dans ce drama, il m’a juste fait «  DU BIEN ».

Quand on cherche une jolie histoire, simple mais qui vous embarque dans sa douceur et son bien être, on se lance dans ce drama!

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Ha Ji Won

I am not a fan of hospital / medical dramas because I get squirmy easily and I don’t want to feel disturbed during and after watching such dramas.

However, I chose to watch this show because of Ha Ji Won. I am a fan of this female actress as in my opinion, she doesn’t disappoint.

I enjoyed this drama even though there were heartbreaking moments. There were many lovey moments between the male lead and female lead. The whole cast acted well. The story was pretty good. There were tense moments. There were sweet moments.

I have rewatched the sweet moments because the female lead and the two hot male leads have good chemistry.

I’d say: watch this because it isn’t too heavy on the hospital / medical side. It’s more on the human / humane side if you get what I mean. Also, watch because of the leads.

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A Hidden Game

To start with, I'm actually not a fan of Melodrama. I'm a fan for action, thriller, political, and crime drama which this is far from my cup of tea. It's actually because I'm a fan of Ha Ji Won (we know that she is an action actress and that's why I love her). So I started this drama with zero expectation, just for the sake of okay I want to see Jiwon more, I'm running out of dramas :D. But you know turns out this drama become one in my top list!

At the first I also like most of the people. The story is boring and I don't think I'm enjoying much. However in every episode I started crying. Then I manage to finish it. First time I enjoy is solely for the scenery and the OST. Beautiful Greece and Hospice set up.
But then I don't know why I started to miss Moon Cha Young and Lee Kang and I read some reviews and story from people. I decide to rewatch again and yes, this is started when I finally find this gem! The story itself is so thoughtful and have many deep meaning. I started to think about life and death and a lot of meaning of value of life. This drama has that kind of messages that I think I cannot find it in Kdramas I've ever watched. So I suggest that for the watchers to enjoy the meaning that every sub stories told, which this is actually set-up the romance for the Main Leads to start open to each other. This drama is more physiological and I think the most realistic drama. Try to put yourself in their shoes and you know it is actually what you will do more or less.

Acting just superb! From the main leads, supporting actors, and child actors! Definitely the best! Since you can be drawn by every story.

I will definitely rewatch this time to time to find great scenery, hidden values and meaning, and make your heart warm.

Read somewhere that gem cannot be found by many people. Sometimes they find you. That's why Chocolate is a very hidden gem to me., So if this drama is your gem, congratulation! Hope you can be inspired too and your life can be better. And on the other hand some or most people who cannot find this gem inside, don't worry just skip this and enjoy others drama which is your cup of tea :D

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I never knew i would stay till the end of the series

if you are looking for a comfort drama, less romance, and a bit of slice of life, this is for you.

started this show with zero expectation, then i found myself get immersed and crying while watching. the first half is quite fast-paced for a melodrama. ive been told it's a slowburn, so i didnt expect any romantic scene at the beginning, they started to flirt in episode 12 something so if you are looking for a swoony romance drama this is definitely not for you.

i tend to get bored easily while watching melodrama but Chocolate is so well written, the plot, the character development are amazing but i just not fond of the ending, it feels so rushed and i wish to see more bromance between lee kang and lee jun.

i appreciate the substories of the patients at the hospice, heartwarming and i cried A LOT, but we barely see the two leads it looks like they are just like the other side characters. maybe that's how the writer wanted it to be. i love the way they relate all the patients with their 'comfort' foods on their deathbed :')) and each food tells a story.

just two souls find comfort in each other, along the journey of healing. this drama is good but not super good that i'll watch it again. i'll cherish the first experience watching this.

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Gdy ci smutno, gdy ci źle.. zjedz czekoladkę.

Z pozoru mogłoby się wydawać że "Czekoladka" może kryć wyjątkowy, niedoceniony romansik pod sztampowym tytułem. Szybko okazuje się że zamiast motylków w brzuchu będziemy czuć mokre oczy od historii postaci pobocznych które tworzą wyraźne tło całej dramy. Mimo wyraźnie zarysowanej historii trójki bohaterów, która splata się w ciągu następnych lat, uwagę skupimy na pacjentach hospicjum w którym główna para jest zakotwiczona. A jak już hospicjum i Lee Kang jako lekarz, to już wiadomo że drama w całości poświęcona będzie tej tematyce. Niemniej jednak różni ją to, że zamiast każdy epizod poświęcać co rusz innemu medycznemu przypadkowi, scenariusz skłania do zobaczenia na pacjentów umierających z perspektywy człowieka z jakimś bagażem przeżyć. Każdym spoglądającym na ostatnie dni z sentymentem i w smakując się w resztę które im pozostały.
A mówiąc już o smaku... szpitalny klimat został dziwnie zmiksowany tutaj z wątkiem kulinarnym w którym prym wiedzie damska postać główna - Cha Young. Jak to wyszło? Ni grzeje ni chłodzi. Osobiście przesuwałam większość scen gotowania z racji tego że zwyczajnie mnie przynudzały i zabierały jakiś czas antenowy który można by było wykorzystać.
Nie mogę jednak przejść obok wątku tragedii trójki bohaterów i przy okazji całej tej standardowej walki o hajs i szpital. Ani również wątku romantycznego Cha Young i Lee Kanga. Uważam, że jak na zrobienie takie szumu w przeszłości całego trio uważam że miernie wyjaśniono i zakończono całą sprawę. Tak samo jeśli chodzi o zakończenie i ostatni odcinek. Definitywnie czuć, że co nieco w temacie jest niedopięte, niewyjaśnione i brakuje tego czegoś. Niby ending jest, niby jest happy ale żadnego uśmiechu to nie wzbudza.

Postacie/Aktorstwo
Było dobrze. BARDZO na plus ( i się ucieszyłam) że główna postać męska czyli Lee Kang ma zwyczajną ludzką twarz a nie kolejnego bożyszcza nastolatek. Naprawdę bardzo przyjemnie się to oglądało. Dygresje miałam jedynie przez cały czas do postaci Cha Young granej przez znaną wszystkim Ha Ji Won. Nie wiem czy postać z założenia miała taka być, ale w moim mniemaniu była strasznie nijaka. Bezłpłciowa, bez charakteru, bez smaku (chociaż sama dużo kuchciła mhmhm). Jak już jedna postać w dramie romantycznej ma takie usposobienie to liczcie się że wszelkie czułości, nawet w mega minimalnej ilości wychodzą tak płytko i bez żadnej chemii jak pocałunki Park Shin Hye. Z kolei do pana Jang Seung Jo odczuwam współczucie że nikt mu nigdy dotąd nie dał głównej roli w typowym romansie. Zostaje mi go tylko miziać na ekranie, a nie przez jakąś postać w innej serii. :( No i Kim Won Hae który WRESZCIE nie gra mi tu żula, łajdaka, gangstera czy gliniarza, albo ojca który splajtował. Wreszcie wyglądał porządnie, niż wiek na to wskazuje.. Cała reszta grająca pacjentów, łącznie z dziećmi byłą przyzwoita.

OST:
Miło, sentymentalnie, czule, nastrojowo. Kilka kawałków wbija się w ucho jak chociażby cudowny głos Ailee, ale Jang Jin Woo i jego Always be here porusza mnie doglębnie.

Generalnie:
Drama na raz. Chemii nie wiele, ale sama w sobie historia i to ile w nią w sumie władowano wątków sprawia delikatne zamieszanie. Mimo że romans wyszedł trochę stonowany, to wszyscy przyznają że uronili nie jedną łzę przy śmierci bohaterów, która co rusz występowała. Historia z głowy co prawda wyparuje, ale po raz kolejny przez naszą duszę przejdzie proste przesłanie, że życie jakie by nie było w każdym jego momencie jest cenne, wyjątkowe i warte przejścia do końca. Nawet jeśli koniec bardzo blisko i towarzyszy temu dużo łez, nawet wtedy jesteś w stanie coś dostrzec na co prawdopodobnie dotychczas nie zwróciłeś wystarczającej uwagi. Okazje przemijają, nie zmarnuj jej. Nie zmarnuj życia, nawet tego kruchego i zbolałego.

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STORY: It's a melodrama with a tragedy in the mix. There is your typical family competition and hatred, but what stood out to me was how lukewarm the drama was. Lukewarm in the sense, there's no action, love rival, murder, none of those things, yet 'Chocolate' was such a beautiful and must-watch drama.

I especially loved the fact that the two main leads met when they were children and how they were, in fact, more connected they thought they were, which added to the emotions when they finally discovered said 'connections.' I loved how the drama started and ended, and I have no complains whatsoever.

CHARACTERS: No complains for any of the casts, too. They played their roles exceptionally. I loved Kye Sang's and Ji Won's characters the most. Kye Sang's who seemed cold at first, but is actually the warmest and kindest person. He's not your normally played cold character in kdramas. Kye Sang's was respectful, soft and full of love to the very end. He was never disrespectful and always treated everyone with kindness. You rarely see that nowadays in dramas, so I appreciated it very much. Ji Won's character was as kind and selfless as Kye Sang's. She lived everyday for the sake of other people's happiness, and did so happily. The love between these two was so beautiful and soft, I didn't want the drama to end. They matched each other so perfectly~

The other side-characters were also as excellent. They each had a story worth listening to, and every time a person died, my heart broke and my eyes filled with tears. They were all incredible people.

MUSIC: I loved all the songs and instrumentals used. They were all winsome.

I really recommend this drama. It would really heal one's heart and soul~

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