Choco Milk Shake (2022)

Loss and acceptance of it, themes of the series

Imagine that you have a dog and a cat as pets that have accompanied you since you were a child. Suppose that one day they return to the world of the living, in human forms, after having died, along with your parents, in an accident, with the purpose of giving you company and making you happy. Imagine that you only have a hundred days to spend with them before they must leave again. Suppose that during that period you fall in love with your human-dog. Represent yourself that you will surely have to wait two years for a new reunion, due to the difficulty of traveling between the afterlife and the world of the living.
From this premise, Ahn Ji Hee, the South Korean film director, creates, in 'Choco Milk Shake', the miniseries of 11 episodes of about 15 minutes each, a magical story with a dreamlike aura that creates a moving and pleasant visual experience.
It all begins when a cat and a dog cross the Rainbow Bridge and return to the world of the living in human forms. They go in search of Jung Woo (Go Ho Jung), their owner, a young bachelor who lives alone. When he was twenty years old, a fatal accident took away everything he loved: he lost not only his parents, but also his dog and cat, Choco (Lee Jae Bin) and Milk (Kim Seong Hyuk), respectively.
One night, after returning home from a long day of work at her uncle's (Park Seung Bin) cafe, two handsome strangers knock on her door. To your disbelief, they claim to be Choco and Milk! He doesn't believe them, but Choco and Milk prove their identities by sharing memories that only Jung Woo can know as the pets' owner. This is how Jung Woo realizes that the strange visitors are indeed his two beloved companions from childhood and youth, reincarnated in human form.
A question arises in the viewer from the moment they understand what the series is about: Will Choco and Milk manage to develop human feelings and emotions?
With the cute and clingy dog-human Choco and the more restrained cat-human Milk settled comfortably in Jung Woo's house, the three will once again enjoy the warmth and affection that united them in the past. However, the clash between these four beings will bring new dimensions to the resumption of their life together and surprising discoveries in the areas of friendship and love.
Despite his surprise and confusion, Jung Woo quickly and easily adapts to a warm and cozy lifestyle with his inseparable friends. They bond, create memories and happy moments, and in the process develop feelings that go beyond friendship.
I will answer the question: The story will take legitimately dramatic turns when love and friendship take center stage. The series makes the most of the affection and affection established from the beginning, to legitimize the emotional and romantic twists that appear later.
Choco will be for Jung Woo and Milk for Uncle, the perfect couples, achieving vibrant chemistry between them. Don't forget: The adorable characters and their endearing personalities are the strong points of Choco Milk Shake.
Although the events, romances and stories (for example, how pets become humans or Jung Woo's past), are not developed in depth, this fantasy drama surprises because it is much more than it appears. What begins as a light, fun and adorable story becomes an emotional love letter to pets, their role in our lives and, above all, the importance of saying goodbye in order to continue.
Had the details been developed, 'Choco Milk Shake' would be a more finished, polished series, with a more convincing story.
Rather than focusing on the romantic aspect, 'Choco Milk Shake' deals with the topic of loss and acceptance of the same in a warm way.
With a cast possessing individual charms and wonderful chemistry, the direction, cinematography and writing transport the viewer to a dream and fairy tale universe. The narrative, hinting at the continuation of the series in the future, maintains a good rhythm that enhances the emotionally bittersweet closure, due to the new separation, but the hope of a new reunion.
Jung Woo, the sensitive, soft-spoken boy with a kind heart, who after the tragedy has lost the joy of living, regains his joy and happiness after his reunion with Choco and Milk. But soon his heart will tremble again when he discovers that they both have a limited time on earth. But this will only serve as an excuse for a second season.
And it is there, in the moments of transition from happiness to sadness in the face of the imminent new loss due to the inevitable separation, piercing the most sensitive fiber, when 'Choco Milk Shake' shows its strength and the beauty of the work, thanks to the performances.
STRONGBERRY's first fantasy romance web drama series BL web drama won several awards at the first K-Web Drama Award (KWDA) in Dangjin. At the event, which seeks to celebrate the excellence of Korean web dramas and highlight the unique storytelling and creativity of each creator, director Ann Ji Hee won the Culture of Odyssey award, and production company Matchbox was selected as a of the 12 best winners of the Spotlight selection. For their part, the lead actors also won an acting award.

Leia Mais

Choco Milk Shake: A Sweet and Whimsical Treat

Choco Milk Shake by Strongberry is a charming and unique addition to the Korean BL scene. Known for their well-crafted short films and series, Strongberry takes a leap with this full-length series, and it doesn't disappoint. The show aired from October 25, 2022, to December 20, 2022, and features 11 episodes written by Ahn Ji Hee.

The premise is delightfully whimsical: Jung Woo (Ko Ho Jung) is a young man who has faced profound loss—his parents and his beloved pets, Choco the dog and Milk the cat, all died in a tragic accident. Fast forward to the present, and Jung Woo is living a solitary life until one evening, two strangers knock on his door. To his shock, they claim to be the reincarnated versions of Choco (Lee Jae Bin) and Milk (Kim Seung Hyuk). The series then follows this peculiar trio as they navigate their renewed life together, blending light-hearted moments with deeper emotional undertones.

From the get-go, the series captures attention with its cute and quirky concept. The first episode leaves you with many questions, particularly about how a dog and cat could return as fully functional humans. While it takes a while for the show to provide answers, it remains engaging throughout.

The portrayal of Choco and Milk is particularly noteworthy. Both characters retain distinct traits from their animal pasts, adding a layer of humor and charm to the series. Thankfully, the show avoids overdoing these characteristics, striking a balance between their animalistic quirks and human behaviors.

The chemistry among the characters is another strong point. The romance develops naturally, with feelings growing gradually and convincingly. However, the series does a brilliant job of exploring themes beyond just romance, touching on loss, acceptance, and the different ways individuals cope with grief. The actors, especially Lee Jae Bin and Kim Seong Hyuk, deliver performances that are both convincing and endearing, embodying their roles with a depth that elevates the story.

Production-wise, the series is impressive, although there are moments, particularly early on, where the setting feels a bit too empty, detracting from the realism. Fortunately, this issue is addressed as the plot progresses, tying it into the story in a clever way.

Overall, Choco Milk Shake is a delightful watch that blends light-hearted fun with moments of emotional depth. Despite its short length, it manages to deliver a well-rounded and satisfying narrative, making it a standout in the Korean BL genre. It’s the perfect series to binge-watch, and it leaves you wanting more—a testament to its charm and the quality of Strongberry’s storytelling.

Leia Mais

What a delightful surprise!

First things first: The acting is out of this world. I couldn't believe how *ALL* of both reincarnated pet characters' mannerisms-- down to even the tiniest, most subtle details!-- were absolute *perfection.* They were *exactly* what it would be like if someone really was 100% human, yet still also had a 100% cat or dog personality at the same time. I'm not joking here when I say that this is literally the best embodiment of this concept by actors that I have ever seen. They were phenomenal in these roles (and must have had tons of fun while filming, too! 😁), and I cannot praise that highly enough.

Secondly: As a pet owner who has unfortunately also had to go through the experience of having a family member go across the rainbow bridge, episodes 3 (Milk's reassurances to Jungwoo) and 10 (basically the whole ep., yeah you know why) just made me absolutely weep. 😭💘

And thirdly: Episode 11? Perfection. This show first broke me and then it healed me in the best possible way.

TL;DR: I went into this expecting a slightly silly + mostly sweet magical romance, and while I certainly got that to start with, I then got unexpectedly punched deep in my feels... and then given the best warm hug afterwards. 😭🫂💘

I wouldn't *quite* put this at 'masterpiece'-level overall (and that's my personal criteria for giving out a full 10 rating), which is why my rating for this is currently sitting *just* below that at a 9.5; but I must admit that this managed to touch my emotions so deeply that, even now, I am still wavering on giving it that final half-star and making it a 10 regardless.

Obviously, highly recommended. 👍

Leia Mais

SURPRISE! ? Not being biased~

Not being biased but this is how I feel right now!

I'm kind of hesitant to watch this show because of the theme. Good thing I gave this a chance. I'm hooked already. 😍

The story is unique in its form and its super cute.

Great portrayal from the actors of Choco and Milk, they really pull this off as if they are meant to be the Dog and Cat. Kudos! to Jung Woo and Uncle as well.

It really shows that they selecting a cast is not rushed and they make sure that it will really fit.

The only hiccup is it's too short. 12 minutes is short even it's twice a week.

Great production as always, Strongberry you are the best of the best. Hoping for bigger projects soon.

Leia Mais

This is weird and I’m scared…but it’s alright so far? (Emphasis on the question mark)

What did I think this was? I remember watching the trailer but I don’t remember a premise like this? My gosh I was surprised. I did not expect a show where both a cat and a dog reunite with their owner Jung Woo, but as humans. What?!!! So, now I’m scared because this could toe a line that I don’t want to think about. But for now the first episode is alright and cute because it’s innocent and comedic.

It’s a first of its kind that I’m aware of. I’ve never encountered a BL drama where animals become humans. The actors look like or at least portray the animal that they are supposed to be. Reminds me of Korea’s face type trend where celebrities and idols are often compared to animals: puppy face, cat face, bunny, turtle, etc. Maybe this premise was bound to pop up at some point. But, I digress. It’s too early to tell what direction this drama will take.

What makes me scared is several things and originally I was going to write down my worries but I want to give this a fair chance. I can see this going in a direction that is good or bad. I didn’t want my worries to color this review in a negative light when it’s only 1 episode. We’ll see how it goes.


Update:
Im 9 episodes into this show and I Iove this drama so much. Any hesitation I had before is gone. The actor's performances are soooo good!!!!! I had to come here after episode 9 because the range of emotions I saw portrayed especially with the actor playing Milk is astounding but they are all great. Im such a fan of UncleMilk!!!!!! Also it makes me happy that Strongberry, this small indie production that is putting out queer stories, is starting to get some attention. They deserve more. If you do happen to watch it and want to support, definitely watch for free on their YouTube channel!

Leia Mais