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Flower Boy Ramen Shop



Synopsis:
Yang Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah) is a University student preparing for her civil service exam with the dream of being a high school teacher. She accidentally encounters Cha Chi Soo (Jung Il Woo), an arrogant son of the biggest food conglomerate in Korea. Both of them end up working at a ramen shop run by the lazy Choi Kang Hyuk (Lee Ki Woo).

Cast:

I have to say that I enjoyed this drama immensely, though it is not without its flaws (which I will touch on in a bit) but I was more than able to overlook them. Flower Boys Ramen shop is a light hearted and funny to the point I had to bury my face into my drama pillow (see bioJ), more than once, to stop from laughing to hard (can’t wake the kids). But did try a few Dramatic plot points.

It starts with Eun Bi is about to start her internship as a student teacher. The day before (or so) She encounters Cha Chi Soo, an arrogant ‘man’ (that so reminds one very much of Domyoji- Hana Yori Dango-). They actually have a few encounters before she discover the truth about him…that he is a High School student BUT he is in the very class she is teaching.

Now starts the normal kdrama clichés, not that this is a bad thing, in this shows case. Flower Boy’s embraces the normal kdrama romantic clichés (there are 10 rules—much like with horror flims-- to Asian dramas, which Onyx and I will have to sit down and write out soon) plays them up to the point this almost a spoof of the normal formula.

As the school setting progresses (a point of note that the “ramen shop” doesn’t become a key part of the show till almost HALFway through the 16ep run) Chi Soo takes great pleasure in tormenting Eun Bi, to the point she ends up snapping and ends up quitting/being fired. Chi Soo actually becomes conflicted over this, but is clueless as to why. So he begins tormenting her EVERYwhere and this is where Choi Kang Hyuk AND the Ramen shop comes into play.

The Ramen shop originally is owned by Eun Bi estranged father, he passes away and Eun Bi finds out (quite comically) That he has left the ‘shop’ to the son of his best friend. The son Kang Hyuk—whom is a top rated chef in Japan--(the summery says he is lazy…is more he beats to his own drum, choosing simplicity of living) BUT not only has her farther left his shop to this strange guy she never met, but left her to him as well.

You must watch to know more LOL

NOTE: there are a few highly amusing cameos, I won’t give away who, fans of kdrama’s of recent years pay attention to the background music it will give away.

One of the flaws to this drama—to me--have more to do with the supporting characters roles in the plot; a few disappear for no apparent reason, such as Chi Soo’s friends (all his posse, save one). The random appearance of Eun Bi’s ex to throw him into what is already a complicated triangle of Eun Bi, Chi Soo and Kang Hyuk, only for him to vanish as randomly as he arrived. And what was to be a great dramatic secret connection between two of the major players that fell rather flat. I had it figured out by ep 6, and I won’t even start on the Ballerina.

Another is—and remember really do like this drama—I really don’t think this show needed to be as long as it was, the 16 eps run was stretching it. There are a quite a few repetitive scenes and one episode that is pretty much a recap of the previous one just from a different point of view.

If you are looking for a light hearted romantic comedy to pass some time with, Flower Boy Ramen Shop is a great way to go. If you crave a more in-depth romance (save Flower Boy’s for a rainy day) and give Greatest Love a watch.

I give Flower Boy Ramen Shop 3 outa 4 pandas!

TrinityLayne off to finish Crime Story...my next review!

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