Mystic Pop-up Bar (2020)

Found Family Trope

I really liked the found family trope in this drama. I’m a sucker for it. And when it’s mixed with supernatural and humor? Then I’m all the more for it! Also, that Yeo Rin was all “I’m here to save my man!” at the end? W00t! That’s so up my alley because I love it when the usual cliché gender roles are flipped!

Also, this was the first drama that I’ve seen where Choi Won Young played the good guy. Gosh, he’s so good as as one of the good guys. Why have I only seen him playing baddies so far? Unfair!

I have to say, though, it was good that the drama only had 12 eps. As it was, I ended up fast-forwarding through some of their shenanigans, through bits where the drama went too far and slipped from humorous into silly. So, I’m glad that they didn’t go for the usual 16 because I can’t even imagine what silly padding they would’ve used.

Leia Mais

10 COZ WHY NOT?

It took me long to finally decide watching this series and I am not regretting my decision. I should have watched it earlier.

Historical, fantasy and the present time. It was perfectly combined and the transitions form past to present, from real world, to dreamworld and to afterlife, with it's magical elements can all be easily comprehended without rewind.

The comic relief injected in many scenes balances this heavy drama that tackles on unspoken feelings, dreams, and good byes. Romance is just a bonus, but I can't complain since the story and the plot is really good.

Jung Eum is perfect to the role. I could not think of other actress seemingly fit to portray Wool-ju. Hands up to her crying skills, full of real emotions one could really be carried away. Sungjae is such a sweetheart. I will never get tired watching him. I hope to see him more in many projects.

It was a series of laughs and cries. If someone was watching me while I watch, probably think I am insane. I definitely recommend this to everyone who is looking for peculiar stories to watch. You'll definitely not be disappointed.

Leia Mais

"The words we speak and the actions we display will one day come back to haunt us."

Welcome to the mystical realm of the afterlife and everything that goes along with it. Which is apparently a glass of soju, smiling faces, and listening ears.

This gave me some strong Hotel Del Luna vibes, but spun off into the lighter hemisphere of the drama world while still remaining engaging. Mystic Pop-Up Bar follows the lives of four people who had their worlds turned upside down five-hundred years ago. All of whom are working towards righting the grudges in the world, and trying to muddle through life on a little luck and a lot of hope.

I enjoyed the journey of this drama. It was light enough to keep a smile on my face, with just enough plot, suspense, and life lessons to keep me watching eagerly. MPUB teaches the importance of communication, family, and to think about the consequences of your actions. There is not much mystery to the story as they drop enough hints along the way, but it was still a fun ride. The last two episodes were a teensy bit lackluster compared to the oomph of the previous ten, but it was nothing too disappointing. There were a few inconsistencies and missed explanations within the story, but I guess those got traded for a pleasant ending. The OST, while sparingly used, is good and the acting was done well.

All in all, a lovely and refreshing drama to watch. I would recommend if you're looking for something nice and engaging with just a touch of past life angst.

Leia Mais

It feels better if you watch it before Hotel Del Luna

This show was really good and Hwang Jung Eum was spectacular. Her character was someone you could easily empathise for and her yearning to just be free was palpable. The story was, for most part, beautiful and some of the early "ghost of the week" episodes were unforgettably good. But the show had a very simple formula to it and there were aspects to the story that just wasn't as enjoyable. Hwang Jung Eum was the only memorable actor in it.

I don't know about anyone else, but I also think I might have enjoyed this show better if I hadn't watched Hotel Del Luna first. I couldn't stop seeing the parallels and each one was a poor comparison to HDL. By the end I was resenting the similarities because I wanted something different to Hotel Del Luna, which i rated very highly. So, Mystic Pop-Up Bar was a very strange one for me. Some really good episodes and great acting from Hwang Jung Eum but undercut by this nagging feeling that it was retelling a story told by Jang Man-Wol from Hotel Del Luna, and not told nearly as well.

Leia Mais

Watching this went so much faster than I thought it would. I started it just to see what the hype was about and ended up nearly done with the whole thing by the time I realized how sucked in I was. Lol

I really liked a lot about this show especially the unique way that it told the past and present story, and they did it in such a way that -- well ... I didn't hate it. Lol I tend to hate things that bounce back and forth but how they managed to do it was really interesting and kept me hooked through it all.

The acting by everyone was really amazing even though they kept introducing new characters (which honestly annoyed me to no ends but still I couldn't hate it) so big and little roles were well played and meant a lot to the story.

I think the main issue I had was the last episode, while no, I wasn't expecting that kind of ending at all, I feel like I was on drugs through most of it. I don't know if it's because of how it bounced around or what. But half the time I was asking myself "are they asleep? Is this even happening?" and by the time I realize it was actually happening, something else would happen and I would be lost as hell. I mean it made sense in some ways I guess? Oh what am I saying - it didn't. Least not to me with what had been said through they whole show. So when all that happened it really threw me off and left me feeling like I was tripping balls or something.

Yet in the end, I do still love the drama and think this is one of those shows that everyone should take a peek at to see if they like it as well.

Leia Mais

Loved the Series!!! - Mystic Pop Up Bar

I was exploring this particular genre of "Reap what you sow" and this came in one of the recommended of one of the darker shows I had watched. Honestly, it did not disappoint. I loved it and I am glad that I picked this one. I loved the supernatural elements, the parallel worlds, the tinge of comedy and romance while the main crux of the problem revealed itself after.

There were a lot of things I really enjoyed.

The Story Line
I absolutely loved the story line . It was perfect but yet there was some want left in the end.

I loved how the drama started, pushing us to the past and how the current setting came to be. And i loved how the drama answers the questions the viewers had regarding the past. The concept of getting your grudges fulfilled is already an existing concept but adding a twist of a bar was very interesting.

I love how the backstories were introduced and many of the cases felt very realistic despite the supernatural touch.

Each of the characters were well played and likeness of each character was also well placed. I loved the little family that was beginning to form despite the truth that came in the end. It really felt like destiny played a huge part in their lives.

The moral of the drama was well utilised. That for family/love, we even sacrifice itself and that if it is true, no matter what, we will never regret it. It was very wholesome to see the main characters sacrifice for the sake of loved ones though the whole thing began on a misunderstanding and a very obvious villain.

However, there were a few points that got me a little dissatisfied.

Even though, the story had tied up all its knots well, answering all questions, there was no proper epilogue, showing a happily every after. So the emotion there got cut-short. I would have loved to see the true happiness of Kang Bae with his new found family and girl friend.

Along with that a few of the moments, especially towards the end could be explored. Like what exactly happened to the villain, what is the condition of the villains dad, did kang bae's ability disappear, what about cinnabar now that kang bae is normal. It felt a little messy when tying up the ends. Episode 12 was way too rushed towards the end.

Also I was a bit unhappy of how the villain was built. He felt way too powerful except for when it was really needed and he was defeated in a pathetic way, though i wouldn't really be able to judge that as it was not really shown.

Acting & Cast
When it comes to acting and cast, there is two things I notice majorly.

Are the Actors able to do justice to the characters?
And
Are they able to move the Audience?

All the actors were able to do a really good job and have portrayed there characters very well. I liked the leads and disliked the villain - as it should be. The only part where I would give a slight lower rating is there were moments of slightly cringe acting, maybe to give a comedic effect.

As for were they able to move the audience? Of course, I smiled at parts that were adorable like when Kang bae and cinnabar were exploring their first love. And I teared up towards the end because i hated what a grave situation they ended up in due to a misunderstanding they were in.

Over all, this drama was a really good and worth it watch for me. But I would give it a slightly lower score just for those few areas. I might watch it again if in a mood but not till the end.

P. S - my rating for music is low because there wasnt really any music except for the competition and the karaoke. So it doesnt really count.

Leia Mais

Heartwarming mystical dream story

●HOW I CAME TO IT
It was on my PTW for a few weeks and I suddenly netflix recommended it so I gave it a go.

●STORY
Wol ju did a grave sin in her mortal life so as the heavens punishment she is sent to living realm and settle 100000 people grudges. She has been doing this for 500 years, and is only 10 grudges more to go which seems easy but is difficult, as in modern days nobody opens up about the problem. She then hires Han Kang Bae as people start to ramble their problems when coming in contact with him. There is also Guibanjang who keeps an eye on wol ju, the three together try to achieve the quota of grudges.

●PLOT VIEW
The storyline was intriguing and uplifting. Every episode has one case of grudge settlement, which gives a very fast pace to the drama which keeps it away from getting boring and unnecessary plot fillers.
Along with that popup bar owner story gradually keeps unfolding. The climax is fab but somewhat predictable. It is smooth-flowing and consistent. It doesn't have confusing flashbacks throughout the episodes. There are no cliffhanger at end of episode which is why I liked the drama more.
Romance is just a bit in the drama but then it makes a huge impact to the story.

●ACTING/CAST
Everyone acts excellent.
Hwang jung eom as Wol ju was excellent, I had always watched her in dramas where she is crying whit heavy volumes, ouch which hurt ears. But this drama she had mild cries and very humorous and energetic.
Yook Sung Jae as Han kang bae is fun and light. He gave somewhat Goblin vibes. As a living human in between the mystical creatures he surely show great lively, honest and lovely nature. His face does all the work for him.

●MUSIC
BGM is done nicely and sets the mood and soul of the scene. OST were good but the one I like is Dive by Jung jin woo, it has an upbeat music. Other songs were slow which served as good BGM but I cant remember them.

●REWATCH
It is rewatchable having light romance with hilarious and fluff story. Its not depressing.

●APPRECIATION
The amazing and funny cases, which each shows that we should act more cautiously and not hurt others by our actions and words.
The action scenes were well choreographed and the CGIs were excellent.
The awesome food in each episode, it seems so yummy and makes me hungry every-time.

●CRITICISM
The plot seems interesting, but when I started watching, it felt a mix of Hotel Del Luna and Goblin. And Yook sung jae acting is very similar like in goblin, which sometimes made me irritated.

●FAV SCENE
Lat scene of the last episode

●AFTERTHOUGHT
This drama is definitely underrated. The show has comforting story which bring a sense of satisfaction at the end of episode.

Leia Mais

My Soul is CLEANSED with wholesomeness

I'm speechless. This drama came out of nowhere for me - I was literally just browsing through shows and this just so happened to intrigue me with its extravagant title. Little did I know, this one click of a button spiraled down to a 12-hour long session of cleansing my soul and spirit. This charming drama was EVERYTHING I didn't know I needed.

(+) Fantastically executed storyline
(+) Unique 'mystical' theme that references into some shaman cultures in Korea 🎪
(+) Very likable main cast
(+) Great acting
(+) Plot twists done right
(+) Wholesome scenes ❤️❤️
(+) Quirky moments but never over-the-top

REVIEW
Now I can go on forever about the details, but to be honest, this is a drama you want to go in blind. I think part of what is so tasteful about the story is the discovery - like I said, this is a very well thought out story. The mystical theme introduced in the beginning may throw you off and cause some confusion but just trust the plot and you will understand eventually. Once you have a decent understanding of the main premise, there will be specific details the director will leave out until it is revealed at the right moment. These are the qualities of an effective story-telling, which this drama really excels at.

This is probably biased from me being completely whipped by this drama but there is absolutely zero reasons for you to not give this a chance - this is by far one of the most well-crafted stories I have seen in a long while, and that's not an overstatement. Unless you hate watching anything that is not 100% realistic, I'd strongly recommend to just give it a shot. I will say this drama is not perfect though, but the entire mood and wholesome intention of this drama has absolutely captivated me and won me over. And I don't consider myself an easy critic or reviewer either - which should tell you that much more about the potential greatness this drama can bring to you.

Now go on and enter that mystical tent you've always been curious about!

Leia Mais

¡Imperdible!

"El místico bar efímero" es de esos dramas que son "joyitas ocultas", ya les digo los motivos.


Primero (y en mi opinión, en punto más fuerte de este drama), es la historia. ES BRILLANTE. Si bien, el tema de reencarnaciones, fantasmas, etc. No es algo del todo nuevo (muy visto en Goblin, por ejemplo), pero Bar Efímero las cosas avanzaban a un buen ritmo, no creo que hubiera capítulos de más ó menos, sino los exactos y en cada uno te dejaba un aprendizaje (el perdonar, el arrepentimiento, etc.) y además poco a poco a poco había un desarrollo de personajes que siempre que terminaba cada capítulo me ponía a pensar una serie de teorías en mi cabeza que siempre me daba esta sensación de intriga de querer saber más.

El cast es otro de los puntos positivos del drama, la química entre los 3 actores principales es muy buena, basta con ver uno o dos capítulos para verlo y eso es algo que agradezco, no siempre tengo la fortuna de encontrar casos así.

En la música me hubiera gustado que las canciones OST, hubieran aparecido un poco más entre las escenas pero por puro capricho personal, ya que así hubieran brillado un poco más, sin embargo estos fueron un poco compensados por los sonidos divertidos que se agregaron.

Como comentario final "EMBE" es un drama que necesita ser más apreciado por todos, sobre todo por las actuaciones y lo brillante que fue la escritora al acomodar todas las "piezas del rompecabezas" de la historia de una forma tan justa. Este drama es tan entretenido que fácilmente volvería ver, para poder apreciar pequeños detalles y analizar a fondo las enseñanzas de cada capítulo. Y por supuesto que pasa a mi lista de favoritos sin duda, definitivamente una historia de fantasía muy recomendable para maratonear que trae un bello mensaje. Imperdible.

Leia Mais