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.