Chocolate

Have you ever taken a long road trip with endless stretches of highway and there's nothing to look at but the scenery? To me, this show is the movie equivalent of that. The journey is the main story/romance (with a number of forced detours) and the scenery is all the side stories you encounter along the way. Whether you like this film will depend heavily on whether you enjoy that sort of pace.

If you are looking for excitement and romantic thrills, be warned. Although romance is indeed central to this show, it mainly serves to tie together a patchwork of smaller "slice of life" type stories centered around food, and the joy/meaning that it can bring. The actual romance is very quiet and only occupies maybe 25% of the story.

The bulk of the story is set in a hospice for terminal patients, and is much heavier than the average K-drama. You should expect to cry A LOT (in a good way). While this film does have a relatively unique plot, artistic cinematography and a nice (if repetitive) soundtrack, by far its strongest point is the acting/storytelling. You truly invest in all the characters and feel what they feel (except maybe for Michael's mother).

A few caveats: This film is clearly aimed at an older audience (so younger viewers may have no interest in the older couples), and some may find the meandering pace tedious. The romantic plot also relies on the "lack of communication" trope for an unreasonably long time, so frustration may outweigh entertainment for some. Also, I personally found the last 20-30 minutes really anticlimactic. The ending itself was ok (despite all the loose ends), but IMO the events leading to it seemed unnecessary/contrived.

All in all, this show is certain to touch anyone who has experienced hospice life. As for other viewers, if you enjoy quiet, introspective stories full of deep emotion, and can value heart-aching as much as heart-pounding love, then this will probably be right up your alley. (Circumstantially) Recommended

ROMANCE RATING: 7/10 I'm a little conflicted on the romantic content. I thought the ABSTRACT romance was good, and Ha Ji-Won and Yoon Kye-Sang had believable chemistry in their growing feelings for each other. I could really feel their mutual longing. However, when it came to the CONCRETE romance and they finally kissed (3+ scenes), it just left me...underwhelmed. I can appreciate subtle and understated romance, but to me this felt more like something was missing. That might just be my personal preference though!

This has been of the best Korean dramas. This show has done perfect justice to portraying human lives. The journey of life and death has been depicted with delicate beauty. Each episode leaves you feeling emotional and so in tune with life that you become even more grateful. The lead pair's chemistry is just beautiful. The slow burning romance of moon cha young and lee kang with beautiful cinematography and lovely OST is just like 🍫. This drama lives up to its name in every essence. A must watch of you tend to like intensely emotional drama.

I'm really into this series. This drama is just on another level. I really enjoy all of the emotion in every single episode (I literally cried a lot watching this series). Like chocolate, this drama is full of bitter-sweet emotion. The plotline is so fresh and interesting, chemistry between the main cast is so amazing, and almost all the cast did a very good job at portraying their characters. The ost are also good. So perfect overall. It's hard to find an emotional yet so beautiful series like this. It's one the best melodrama I've watch so far. Definitely worth to watch. Highly recommended!

I listed this to my heavy kdramas. I think working in a hospice would be now last on my workplace list. It is full of death and goodbyes. Even the dog died. It is heartbreaking. I just felt that this drama was also intended to be a romance genre but the love story developed so slow and some of the supporting actors are annoying.

This is the best romantic drama I have ever seen. The lead actor Yoon Kye-sang and lead actress Ha Ji-won deliver truly remarkable performances. My heart almost exploded out of my chest many times watching them together. Their scenes together wether happy or sad are extremely touching and deep. The production values and script are top class.