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| Image: Asian Wiki |
Title: Mystic Pop-up Bar
Director: Chang Geun Jun
Script writer: Ha Yoon-ah
Cast: Hwang Jeong-eum, Yook Sung-jae, Choi Wonyoung
Number of episodes: 12 episodes
Watch on Netflix
Ssanggab Cart Bar opens only at night on the rooftop of a building. Wol-Ju (Hwang Jung-Eum) runs the mysterious food cart. Customers who visit Ssanggab Cart Bar consist of normal people and the dead. While drinking alcohol and eating dishes with Wol-Ju, the customers of Ssanggab Cart Bar talk about themselves and try to heal their internal wounds.
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I watched this k-drama because of the Korean Culture K-drama Class (KCKC) at Bangtan Academy. This drama kinda reminds me of Hotel del Luna. The vibe and the story are similar, IMHO. I also love how they incorporated the spiritual element into modern life. It's interesting to watch.
The Pop-Up Bar
Mystic Pop-up Bar is a magical bar managed by Weol-ju, a hot-tempered woman who can enter your dream to fix your problem, and Chef Gwi (Guibanjang)--the former Afterlife Police Agency who voluntary help Weol-ju run the bar.
Weo-ju should help the other people through their dream because she had a great sin, which was committing suicide on the sacred tree. Therefore, the afterlife court sent her to the Living Realm to settle the grudges of 100.000 souls and comfort them as a punishment.
Then, there is Han Kang bae, a young man who has the ability to make people confess the truth by making physical contact with them. This ability really benefits Weol-ju to settle the last 10 souls that she should help. Therefore, she made a deal with Kang bae and promised him that she will get rid of Kang bae's unique ability.
My thought
As I said before, this drama reminds me of Hotel del Luna. There will be different cases for every episode and the supernatural element on it is very unique. Not to mention the comedic scenes that the director provided. It's very fresh and makes me smile all the time. The episode when they pretend to be part of the CIA is very funny. I couldn't help myself not to laugh because of that.
What I love about this drama are so many cultural and social phenomena that have been discussed. Starting from the sexual harassment in the workplace, the difficulty to apply for a job, the decision to have children, and others. I think I got a very diverse knowledge and perspectives after watching this drama.
In my opinion, the director and script-writer have succeeded to make a compact story that is not boring. They also succeeded to give a very meaningful message in every episode. Aside from that, how the story is wrapped up with more serious issues at the end is very clever. I can feel how sincere Weol-ju and Guibanjang are when taking care of Kang-bae. I also adore how Kang bae eventually trusts Weol ju.
Trivial thoughts
I think I should mention it here, there are two things that make me suspicious about Kang bae and Guibanjang's identities. Anyway, this will be a very spoiler part.
I do wonder why Weol-ju has naturally cared for Kang bae. When it ends up, technically he is Weol-ju's child, it does make any more sense. Moreover, I kinda feel the big noona energy from Weol-ju.
Then, about Guibanjang's identity, I don't know why, but I have known that he is the crown prince from the earliest episode. I feel proud because I can guess correctly.
Conclusion
Overall, I really love this drama. I think Mystic Pop-up Bar could be on my top-tier list. The story is great, the characters are so lovable and the conflict is just enough. Not over dramatic but still complicated.
So, 8 out of 10 stars for the Ssanggappocha.
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