“Once Upon a Small Town” is a very light, slice-of life drama set in a rural setting. I can’t help but compare it to “Summer Strike”. Both dramas have the main lead moving from Seoul to a rural village for different reasons, needing to learn to integrate into their new communities and along the way meeting someone they like.

Not much really goes on in “Once Upon a Small Town”. If you are into a simple drama with a romance-centric plot, then this is for you. Similar to many stories about small town living, you can’t get away from having loud and nosy villagers as the supporting cast. Even though the villagers don’t really show up too much in the drama, when they do, they are really boisterous and annoying. “Summer Strike” does not have this problem, but it has a different plot that disrupts the quiet rural life. If you want a stronger romance plot, then “Once Upon a Small Town” is better than “Summer Strike”. “Summer Strike’s” romance has a more mature and quiet feel to it. The romance in this drama is more slow-burn, innocent and sweet. It’s also cuter and fluffier when the leads finally get together.

The acting is decent and the chemistry is OK. It’s interesting to have a story about a vet but unfortunately, it doesn’t go into detail about the profession. I would have loved to see more animal cases and how he treats the animals. This is not a medical drama, like “Forest”, so the focus is mainly on the two main leads.

I have an easy time watching it. I will only recommend this if you are really looking for a simple slice-of-life drama. Do not expect plot twists or anything unpredictable.



Completed: 7/7/2023 - Review #329