Meu Mafioso Predileto (2024)

Tooth-rotting romcom with loveable leads

I really enjoyed watching this drama weekly and I'm so sad to see it go! I had a few issues with it, but overall, it was so refreshing and the bright spot of my Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Main Leads:
-This was my first time seeing the leads Taegoo and Sunhwa in anything, and I loved their performances.
-Starting with Jihwan, he was a very loveable ML. I like how he was willing to put in the work to improve whenever Eunha checked him on his behaviour. I loved his protective and caring attitude towards the other Deers and his employees overall. Taegoo has a very commanding presence and was definitely the highlight of the show for me. He was great at portraying the hardened ex-gangster and just as good as portraying the lovesick fool. I really liked his journey over the show of overcoming the guilt he harboured during his time as a mobster. His struggles were very understandable. The show was more enjoyable to watch knowing how introverted Taegoo is in real life lol. And ofc I love his voice too. He's definitely going to have a lot of new fans after the show lol.
-Sunhwa also did great and I really enjoyed Eunha as a character. She was kindhearted and headstrong. At first, I was annoyed that she didn't really seem to stick up for herself, but over time, she was more willing to voice her feelings and opinions, especially when it came to Jihwan. Though their relationship had its ups and downs, Eunha was always the voice of reason and wasn't afraid to check Jihwan on his behaviour. I just wish we could've seen more about Eunha's backstory and her life in the period after Hyunwoo/Jihwan left, like what she was doing after her parents divorced and what her life was like, how she met Miho, etc.
-Taegoo and Sunhwa had amazing chemistry that felt believable. Their scenes were very very very sweet, maybe a little TOO sweet lol I wish things got a bit spicier! I know that it's Jihwan's first relationship so I guess that's why, but I feel like the directing on their kiss scenes could've at least been better. Anyway, I always looked forward to seeing Eunha and Jihwan's relationship develop, I loved the angst they had, and despite some hiccups, I love how they were able to resolve their problems quickly and communicate with each other. I wish we could've seen them get married though :( I know this is their second project together, so hopefully they can do a third 🙏🏾

Supporting Cast:
-Initially, I was annoyed by Hyunwoo (prosecutor) because of his strong prejudices against Jihwan, but the more I think about it, it really wasn't that bad because you can't tell me you wouldn't be apprehensive about an ex-gangster lol. I do think his whole philosophy of "people can't change" was definitely a negative point though, and I'm glad that he was able to change this way of thinking by the end of the show. By the way some comments talk about him, you would think he kicks babies on a daily basis 💀 he really wasn't that bad. He didn't actually do anything to break up the leads. Even after he confessed and she rejected him, he did have that moment of "I'm still going to pursure Eunha" (which annoyed me) but nothing really came of it and he eventually moved on. He was integral to the plot of taking down the Kitty Gang, and I think his presences was necessary to make Jihwan actually act on his desires. Overall, Hyunwoo was fine and people are doing too much by hating his guts
-I liked Ilyoung and Miho a lot. I was put off initially by the pregnancy plot but I think they had good chemistry and I liked them as a couple. One thing I will say though, it is crazy that they got married without even really dating each other haha. I guess that is something that happens in real life but hopefully not to me!
-Hongki and Jaesoo were my favourite Deers, especially Jaesoo. Jaesoo was literally the most hilarious and entertaining character in the drama and I cannot believe he made me cry more than once lol. He was great at the more emotional scenes towards the end
-The Kitty Gang was mostly funny to me. Yang Hee was the funniest of them all like I'm sorry but even in the scenes where he's doing horrible things and being threatening he was still funny to me 😭 Tae Pyung definitely had a threatening aura, and I can see why Jihwan was terrified by him.

Character Dynamics:
-Expanding more on Jihwan and Eunha, I haven't watched many Korean romcoms or kdramas in general, and I think that helped because I wasn't turned off by the childhood trope like many others I saw in the comments while the show was airing lol. I think it was interwoven into the plot well; it's there from ep 1 and isn't something that is thrown into the show in the last 2 eps. Both Jihwan and Eunha's childhoods had such a huge impact on their lives, it's easy to understand why they would still be holding onto it (or trying to bury it in Jihwan's case) for so long. I like that Eunha fell in love with Jihwan before she knew the truth, and it didn't feel over the top that she was still looking for him, as he was the only bright point in her life when she was a child. He's the one who inspired her to become a kids content creator in the first place. I did feel like they dragged out her finding out a biiiiiiiit too much but I can fully understand why Jihwan didn't want to tell her, as he was very ashamed of the person he used to be. Taegoo and Sunhwa really stuck the landing in the more emotional scenes of the drama, I loved the scene where Eunha finally realizes 🥺
-One of my favourite relationships was Jihwan and the Deers but more specifically Jihwan and Ilyoung and Jihwan and Jaesoo. I could really feel the love between Ilyoung and Jihwan, they had a very sweet older brother/younger brother dynamic. I also really loved Jaesoo and Jihwan, they were so funny together and when things got serious they made those more emotional moments feel believable.
-I also really loved Eunha's relationship with Donghui, she was basically an older sister to him and it was very sweet. And I loved the progression of Jaesoo and Eunha's relationship, from calling her a rat to "little mouse" (lovingly) lol.
-By the end of the show, all the Deers + Eunha really felt like a family and I loved that so much 🥺 It's cute that Hongki, Jaesoo and Manho will continue to live with Eunhwan after they get married lol
-Eunha and Miho's relationship was also nice, I like how they went to each other for advice and they supported each other. But on that note, it kind of annoyed me how Miho basically didn't say anything to Eunha about her relationship with Ilyoung before he announced it to everyone. They seem to share everything else with each other so I thought it was weird that the writer chose to just have Miho not say anything
-I think Yena and Hongki had good chemistry but she annoyed me for the majority of the show lol. I think it's fine if Yena and Hongki and Hyunwoo and Officer Song didn't get together if both relationships have people (Yena and Hyunwoo) who still aren't over their crushes.

Plot/Story:
-I really liked the themes of redemption, loyalty, forgiveness, second chances and overcoming prejudices and overcoming guilt in the drama. I love that the drama was able to tackle more serious/heavy issues without losing the essence of the show. I know that some people hated how serious it got towards the end but I didn't mind it, these are ex criminals and gangsters we're dealing with so I expected this to some degree, and it was never anything soooo serious that made you think "wow is this the same show?"
-Somehow the show was filled with cliches while also defying expectations. At multiple points when we thought they would break up, they didn't and I was very happy about that!
-This show was genuinely hilarious and I found myself laughing every ep. Shoutout to Jaesoo who is the funniest one in the show lol. Jihwan is a close second 🤗
-There were definitely some lose ends towards the end, specifically when it comes to the Kitty Gang. I would've liked to see more about Kang Gil, how he got his scar and his relationship with Jihwan. I also think the writing for Tae Pyung could've been better. Last ep was definitely a bit rushed lol

Overall, it was a very refreshing show that I looked forward to watching every week! I'm very sad to see it go and will definitely be rewatching 💖

Leia Mais

Perfectly cast ML pulls of both "swoony" and "adorkable"

I am not the biggest fan of slapstick... and yet! Don't let the silliness deter you! I thoroughly enjoyed this warm and cute drama. The OTP were lovely, while the excellent and perfectly cast ML, in particular, was both adorkable and swoony. I know this is how Uhm Tae Goo's voice sounds now, but in certain scenes, the cadence and tone felt like such a hilarious nod to Marlon Brando's Godfather. The comedic homage to western gangster films in some of the background music and other details was also just enough to be cute and funny without crossing into grating and tiresome.

I am used to watching Im Chul Soo in likeable, earnest comedic roles, so watching him portray this perfectly detestable weasel with such energy and swag was an unexpected surprise. The reformed "criminals" and "gangsters" were also a bunch of teddy bears and just as enjoyable to watch!

Overall, a sweet drama with an important message about second chances.

Leia Mais

Never knew a mobster could be this soft-spoken and cute!

I came to know about this drama a few weeks before it aired, and the vibrant poster did attract me to click on the drama page, and after seeing the tags gangster and romance, I went feral!

This is literally a simple romantic story between a gangster and a kid creator who met in unusual circumstances at the right time but developed feelings for each other with a twist of fate.

If you are wondering why you would watch something this cliché, I know it is, but what makes it different is:

✓ Our gangster, ML! He's a pookie gangster. He has a low, raspy, sweet voice to soothe your senses. In the world of rom-coms, he's a hidden gem. His comedic timing, facial expressions, and body language are swoon-worthy!

✓ OMG, our mini-eonni, the FL, is such a sweet heart! Her natural beauty and acting are spontaneous, versatile, and full of warmth. The interaction between the two just gave me giggling moments.

✓ The storyline and setting are full of laughter and fun, which made me feel refreshed and energized. This is something I missed from the recent rom-com dramas.

✓ The chemistry between the leads is just awesome! They were co-stars in the drama Save Me 2, and you can literally see on-screen and off-screen how comfortable they're with each other. Their chemistry is just natural.

✓ In recent dramas, the visual romance is focused on the physical part, showing how intimate couples can be and showing skinship 24/7, but we forgot that without those, romance can bloom. I'm not an anti, but sometimes too much intimacy can be overwhelming and can be mistaken for lust. But here they took things a bit slower and concentrated on the comedy part more. Romance is all over the drama but shown in a very subtle and gentle manner, almost like worshipping "love.".

✓No annoying side characters, no unnecessary murder mystery, only pure entertainment.

✓ The Quad-Squad's comedy is extremely enjoyable. Sometimes their actions made me cringe, but they also made me laugh hysterically!

Is this too soon to declare it "My Best Watched Rom-com of the Year"? It was a refreshing summer rom-com, which I enjoyed very much, and discovering Uhm Tae Goo was the biggest treasure! Not gonna lie, I'm going to miss this show very much.

Leia Mais

Best Rom-Com 2024

It was the perfect Rom-com Kdrama. <3
If I’m being honest My Sweet Mobster had so much going on there was not a single boring episode. Was a well-written show. I smiled, giggled like a silly, and laughed, out loud, cried . The OST is beautiful l listen to every day
The whole cast was brilliant It was my introduction to Uhm Tae Goo.
No one can convince me that it's just acting especially 15. Ep last scene uhm tae goo you are legend !
Thank you My Sweet Mobster team. Thank you jihwan, eunha, thirsty deers. No words can describe how much I love you guys

“You said that I led you down a good path. It's the other way around. You always make me want to become a better person. I want to be your subscriber and love you for the rest of my life. Will you give me your permission?”
Honestly JIHWAN'S PROPOSAL TO EUNHA. one of best k drama marriage proposal
My Sweet Mobster I wish i could erase my memory and watch it again for the first time <3

Leia Mais

This is mostly my thought on everything that I didn't like, still a good show though!

I wish the female lead had more opportunities to stand up for herself. I get the feeling that she's written to be a strong female lead in terms of mindset, but for whatever reason, she never says anything when it matters. There were several opportunities for her to say something but she never does. One thing I need to mention, something that I hate, is when a female lead buts into a situation that, on every level, does not concern her, but there are genuinely scenes that have everything to do with the male lead and since they're dating it involves her too. That's your man girl, step up! I always think the same thing when it comes to the female lead getting to know the male leads friends, but I think it's important to put in scenes of the other male leads going out of their way to help and protect her instead of doing it simply because their hyung-nim said they should. It's clear that the relationship she has with the other boys is barely memorable, I think it would've been easy to add scenes where she gets along with them separately instead of all together. I hate the second male lead. he is so incredibly insufferable that he becomes a literal wedge on the main lead's relationship. if the female lead can't reach out her hand to the male lead when he's hurting simply because the second male lead is holding her back, whether that is literally or figuratively, she shouldn't be dating the male lead to begin with. How can you call it love when it's easy for a supporting character to stop you from reaching out. Another thing that I dislike, is her lack of friends. I mean like girl-friends. This girl has one best friend who keeps things from her and tells her to break-up with her loving boyfriend because he used to be a gangster and them in the same sentence will mention the fact that she's dating a man who works for that ex-gangster. like girl you are carrying his child, you have no room to talk. Things that I did like about this show was the way that the main lead's relationship never had issues that lasted more than an episode. Since they started dating, they have never let anything wedge itself to deep that they stopped talking to each other. I really enjoys the two side romances even though one of them can hardly be considered one. I hate the third female leads bs about knowing a guy for longer. She runs on the same physiology that second male leads in other dramas do, the 'I'll wait until you guys break up to get my chance'. The show never discusses how much of a bitch she'd been to the female lead, but just kinda expects us to understand where she's coming from. I notice this habit amongst a lot of newer k-dramas since a little before covid-19 where instead of writing the main characters or simply just the female lead to be relatable, they try and force everyone in the cast to be. At first this was nice, it was a way to convey that everyone has a story. However, the more dramas that have come out the more it felt like they were telling us to always take shit from people, because you have no idea what they're going through and the female lead who was once a relatable character becomes this angel of a character that always forgives and forgets. The final thing I can mention that grinds my gears a little is the trope of 'Oh actually we've known each other since birth'. at first I thought the plot point would come up to be an important part of the story, but it's just a reason to have the female lead and second male lead to meet each other and develop a relationship outside of just a victim/witness and Prosecutor. It adds nothing to the male leads relationship with his father or the life he lived after meeting the female lead again. I wish they could have added an info dump at least saying how big the disparity was between his life before and after being caught. but he's just a pawn for the Female lead's childhood. I really appreciated that most of the show is about the guys. I like the fact that it's always been them and they have each other's backs and that they are closer with the male lead in terms of their life before meeting the female lead. The female lead is of course an important person to the male lead, but he's got his homies, you know. The side romance was a little annoying at first, but it gets cuter after they clear the misunderstanding and secrets, which just goes to show how annoying and unnecessary a misunderstanding is. Although it feels anticlimactic, the relationship the male lead has with his father is really refreshing. Sometimes you can never sever the relationships with your parents no matter how awful they are. There are some parents that absolutely hate their children and will treat them like shit for no reason, but then there are parents who put their kids through hard times, because they think they know what's best for them. I think the relationship in this show was the latter of the two. It nice to see a son who still cares for their father protect them even after trying to sever all ties. That being said, his father is shit and he deserves the death penalty simply for being an awful parent. I really like the concept of the male lead being a sweetheart when he's drunk and that he's a lightweight, I wish they added more of that, and maybe it's because I grew up ready nasty Wattpad stories that I was kinda hoping for the leader of a gang and angel of a woman relationship and not the ex-con making a better life for himself and everyone else around him and the girl that is willing to except the changes for the better. I wanted more fighting, part of me also wanted her to get kidnapped(sorry, not sorry). I think they tried to shove the ending all into one episode so they had enough time to make a cute chiller episode, but it definitely isn't unwelcomed. I appreciate having a whole episode of pure joy!

Leia Mais

Forget Your Comfort Dramas, This is the Real Deal

Just finished *My Sweet Mobster* and wow, what a delightful treat! I’m seriously over the moon about this drama. I can't help but gush because it’s everything I’ve been craving in a romcom and more. I mean, when was the last time a show made me laugh out loud while also giving me those warm, fuzzy feelings?

I have to admit, I’ve watched *Strong Woman Do Bong Soon* a whopping eight times, and I’m not done yet. It’s like my comfort food of dramas—always there to lift my spirits. Now, *My Sweet Mobster* has just entered my life, and it’s got a solid spot in my “must-rewatch” lineup. If you’re a fan of *Strong Woman Do Bong Soon*, *Fight for My Way*, or *Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo*, trust me, this show is right up your alley.

The story is such a joyride: a former gangster turned soft-hearted CEO running a company full of ex-cons? Yes, please! Add in a bubbly, kind-hearted YouTube content creator, and you’ve got a recipe for pure drama magic. Seo Ji Hwan’s transformation from a tough mobster to a swoon-worthy romantic is nothing short of enchanting. And Han Sun Hwa as Go Eun Ha? She’s absolutely endearing—cute and strong, the perfect balance!

The cinematography is spot-on, creating a vibrant and engaging visual experience. The scenes are beautifully shot, with a perfect balance of cozy, lighthearted moments and more intense, dramatic sequences. The way they capture the charmingly awkward interactions between the leads adds so much to the overall feel of the show. And let’s not forget the thoughtful use of color and light that highlights the mood of each scene, making every episode a visual treat.

The OST deserves a shoutout too! The soundtrack is a delightful mix of catchy, upbeat tracks and sweet, romantic tunes that enhance every moment. The opening song gets you pumped and ready for the fun, while tracks like "Ring My Heart" by Kim Pureum give me butterflies every time I hear it. It’s such a beautiful, emotional song that perfectly encapsulates the heartwarming essence of the drama. The music complements the scenes so well, making the viewing experience even more enjoyable.

The side characters are a riot, too, especially the Thirsty Deer gang. They bring so much comic relief and charm that they could have their own spin-off. And let’s not forget the adorable Bulldog—though, seriously, he deserves an indoor spot!

The conflicts are genuine, the friendships are heartfelt, and the romance is the sweetest thing ever. I’m already looking forward to rewatching this gem again and again. If you’re in the mood for something that feels like a big, warm hug with a sprinkle of comedy and a dash of heart, *My Sweet Mobster* is your next binge-worthy find. Can’t wait to revisit it many times in the future!

Leia Mais

Cringy but addictive

You just need to make it past the first few episodes as they have the most cringe worthy moments but after that, romance away.

Im glad i did stay the course as it was a beautifully paced romance. Unlike other reviews, i did feel the chemistry between the leads, subtle and simmering in line with their characters. I loved both of them and their performances and the storyline.

It was enjoyable not having a toxic female or male competition, the triangles werent ott or vicious and it didnt dominate the story either. In fact the side male lead turned into a good gent as it goes.

The side leads, they were awesome!! At points i felt they stole the show, soo funny and great parts. The romantic in me would love to have seen em all romanced off however that didnt fit their roles.

Overall, aside from cringe parts, i throughly enjoyed it and binged till it was done, swooned and felt happy at the end.

Leia Mais

Perfect balance of drama, action, and humor, a fresh (iced) take on the mobster genre.

Blends romance, action, and a big touch of comedy, offering a good story about love and life within the dangerous world of organized crime. A must-watch for fans of romance K-dramas, with compelling characters and a captivating story.
We know it's a comedy and expected a happy ending. It's a hart warming kdrama especially because of good acting Main and support. Light-hearted moments and witty dialogue provide balance, preventing the series from becoming too dark. it's a really good balance of drama, action, and humor.

The FL portrays the innocent woman with charm and depth. The ML brings intensity and nuance to the mobster character (of course, his voice is perfect!)
Supporting Cast gives a strong performance, I liked the mobster’s loyal sidekick, the love triangle and the FL's best friend, they offer both comic relief and dramatic tension.
The chemistry between the leads is palpable. Also the ML clearly shows his 2 sides, how he can be a badass but also a cute lover (quite funny to see this actor's penguin side).
Well-choreographed fight scenes and tense moments! It's still a ganster Kdrama setting. But filming and story are dynamic, capturing both the gritty underworld and the softer, romantic moments.
Overall, I think "My Sweet Mobster" successfully blends romance and action, offering a fresh take on the mobster genre.

Leia Mais

Nothing could prepare me for this!!!

I just finished watching this drama. Not even an hour has passed and im reliving all the episodes in my mind. The ML, the FL and the entire cast did an amazing job in this spectacular story.

This story really is just beautiful and though it isnt very "serious" it still shares some important messages about making mistakes and how change sometimes is and isnt possible.

I still cant get over how many cringy moments this drama had but i was still hooked.

The thing i loved most had to be how communication played a key role in this drama. Not a lot of miscommunication and NO breakups 💃🏽.

Just go ahead and start this drama, you wont regret it one bit, at least i didn't 🤗

Leia Mais

Ji Hwan Y Dangerously

Making a reference to a forty year old movie is probably not the ideal method of appealing to the younger demographic on MDL. Perhaps something iconic like "Breakfast Club" or "Beverly Hills Cop" would spark the right nostalgic vibe. But a forgettable, middling, sophomoric mess? Terrible idea but here goes anyway.

"Johnny Dangerously" was a 1984 movie meant to capitalize on the emerging stardom of a young Michael Keaton who had just exploded as a comedic star after back-to-back hits in "Night Shift" and "Mr. Mom". Pairing Keaton with Amy Heckerling, the Greta Gerwig of the 80's who established herself with the scintillating "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" should have been a can't miss project. It was a massive failure though. Probably because the concept was a parody of the incredible mafia movies of Coppola and Polanski. "Johnny Dangerously" was both a critical and popular bomb.

"My Sweet Mobster" encounters some of the same problems. Meant to be a comedy starring a zoot suited gangster that meets the girl of his dreams and wants to do right by his family, both start strong and score genuinely funny moments. And both don't really know what to do beyond lampooning the tough guy stereotype. Once the joke about the gangster not being such a big, tough, heartless guy, but a kindhearted softie gets played a few times, there's got to be somewhere else to go. It's fun at first. The more chaotic and frenzied it is, the more at ease Han Sun Hwa is. And Uhm Tae Goo is legit a delight as the flummoxed suitor. And Im Chul Soo takes his nemesis to an absurdly sketch comedy level. But at some point, "My Sweet Mobster" can't squeeze any more gags out of the cute, awkward gangster likes the bubbly kids streamer. And the options are:

1. Cut it short. The big secret gets revealed. Happy embraces. Roll credits. But it's a 16 episode contract, so this is a not an option.

2. Keep going back to same well. This was the route taken by "Johnny Dangerously" and it did not work.

3. Revert to stock drama storylines. Triangles. Hospitals. Roadtrips. This is where "My Sweet Mobster" goes and while it's not entirely unpleasant, it goes exactly to the exact destination and along the exact route in the exact manner as any regular viewer of k dramas can expect. Which is unfortunate because the two leads had a lot of promise if they had just avoided doing exactly the usual, typical, same ol', same ol' familiar stuff. It's also just a drag to go from light, fun romance with a supporting cast of fairly lovable goofballs to family angst and corporate & legal melodrama.

4. What could have worked was investing more screen time in the aforementioned supporting cast. Kim Hyun Jin isn't going to win any awards (see my review for "Peng" where he was one of the four horsemen of the borepocalypse) but the one night stand with Moon Ji In that becomes something more is terrific. And there are hints of other potential subplots with Moon Dong Hyuk with Song Seo Rin and Kwon Yool with Shin Soo Hyun (like repeated, explicitly telegraphed, unmistakeable flashing lights saying "LOOK AT THESE TWO. RIGHT HERE. THAT GUY. WITH THAT WOMAN. THEY'RE GONNA BE A THING. JUST WAIT.") Do these go anywhere? No. Foreshadowing with a payoff? When there's sixteen hour long episodes to insert said payoff? If drama malpractice was a felony, this crew would be behind bars for a long time. Then there's the backstory for Park Jae Chan and his first love? It's there but to what end? None that makes any sense other than make life more miserable for Ji Hwan. And the most endearing of the supporting characters, Yang Hyun Min's Jae Soo, gets used for cheap laughs, reduced to a plot device to set up a final conflict and transformed in to a blubbering weakling.

Had these supporting characters been given meaningful and fully explored subplots in a more ensemble style show, "My Sweet Mobster" could have been a massively charming and entertaining watch. It's still good but it simply can't turn a cheeky, cute romance in to a riveting sixteen episode run.

Recommended but with cautions that it will get frustrating to watch. Perhaps if it had a love broker* though...

*see Michael Keaton in "Night Shift"

Leia Mais