Welcome to Waikiki (2018) 으라차차 와이키키
Directed by Lee Chang-min, starring Kim Jung-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung, Son Seung-won, Jung In-sun, Go Won-hee and Lee Joo-woo.
Watched 23 - 29 May 2024 — 20 episodes (NETFLIX)
*I sought this out because of the good ratings online, even on IMDB, and because I like the main couple Kim Jung-hyun (from Crash Landing on You) and Jung In-sun (from My Secret Terrius). I was also in for a good laugh.
*It's indeed laugh-out-loud funny at times and has similarities with the American sitcom series Friends. It actually feels like a sitcom where the main characters repeatedly find themselves in funny and weird situations. The humour is often over the top, a lot of toilet humour as well (Korean comedy tends to have a fascination with the workings of the bowels, lol). Especially Lee Yi-kyung as the aspiring actor Joon-ki is funny but I like him best when he plays serious and hurt. I think he probably gets the most screen time of all the characters.
*The humour between the three male characters reminded me at times of the humour between Joey and Chandler in Friends, childish and goofy.
*I was very enthusiastic about this show at first. But I have to say at times it becomes too silly and childish as well as predictable. Fortunately it's not only goofing around, and there's also romance and touching moments, with universal themes like having dreams and struggling with insecurities and finding jobs.
*I love the characters and friendships, and how everyone is helping each other out in times of need and difficult situations.
*Lee Joo-woo as Soo-a, Dong-goo's (Kim Jung-hyun) ex-girlfriend, is at first not very likeable but as she gets more screen time after joining her friends in Waikiki guest house, she gets increasingly more likeable. I love her interactions/teasing with Doo-sik (Son Seung-won). It's a budding romance which unfortunately never gets confirmed but they clearly like each other.
*Yoon-a's (Jung In-sun) other love interest, Hun-joo the pastry chef, is a likeable character and a handsome actor (Kang Kyung-jun). There's a fun rivalry and bromance with Dong-goo.
*Some things get tiresome, like the fact that Dong-goo is firmly against the relationship of his sister Seo-jin (Go Won-hee — this actress I saw before in Your House Helper) and Joon-ki. This was around eps. 14/15.
*Also some things that are meant to be funny don't make sense. For example, I didn't like the episode with Doo-sik's Ukrainian date and it baffled me why the other 2 guys were jealous and sulking. Also Joon-ki stalking his stalker fan felt uncomfortable and I thought it was also out of character for him.
*I did like Jung In-sun rapping. Every time she started rapping, I burst out laughing. Dong-goo was adorable when he did a rap song for Jung In-sun in one of the last episodes.
*With 20 episodes the series is a bit too long. The first half is notably better than the second one where it loses a bit of steam. As a weekly sitcom it would be okay but not for binge-watching. I was also disappointed in the development of the romantic relationships. I would have liked to see more of that.
*Luckily the show ended with a satisfying final episode. It also got a bit more serious with the appearance of Sol's dad. I also like the girls having a night together as well as the boys. With the six friends making a film in the final scene the series comes to a perfect close.
*Love the soft colour palette of the show.
*Also, praise for baby Sol! She is the cutest!
Directed by Lee Chang-min, starring Kim Jung-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung, Son Seung-won, Jung In-sun, Go Won-hee and Lee Joo-woo.
Watched 23 - 29 May 2024 — 20 episodes (NETFLIX)
*I sought this out because of the good ratings online, even on IMDB, and because I like the main couple Kim Jung-hyun (from Crash Landing on You) and Jung In-sun (from My Secret Terrius). I was also in for a good laugh.
*It's indeed laugh-out-loud funny at times and has similarities with the American sitcom series Friends. It actually feels like a sitcom where the main characters repeatedly find themselves in funny and weird situations. The humour is often over the top, a lot of toilet humour as well (Korean comedy tends to have a fascination with the workings of the bowels, lol). Especially Lee Yi-kyung as the aspiring actor Joon-ki is funny but I like him best when he plays serious and hurt. I think he probably gets the most screen time of all the characters.
*The humour between the three male characters reminded me at times of the humour between Joey and Chandler in Friends, childish and goofy.
*I was very enthusiastic about this show at first. But I have to say at times it becomes too silly and childish as well as predictable. Fortunately it's not only goofing around, and there's also romance and touching moments, with universal themes like having dreams and struggling with insecurities and finding jobs.
*I love the characters and friendships, and how everyone is helping each other out in times of need and difficult situations.
*Lee Joo-woo as Soo-a, Dong-goo's (Kim Jung-hyun) ex-girlfriend, is at first not very likeable but as she gets more screen time after joining her friends in Waikiki guest house, she gets increasingly more likeable. I love her interactions/teasing with Doo-sik (Son Seung-won). It's a budding romance which unfortunately never gets confirmed but they clearly like each other.
*Yoon-a's (Jung In-sun) other love interest, Hun-joo the pastry chef, is a likeable character and a handsome actor (Kang Kyung-jun). There's a fun rivalry and bromance with Dong-goo.
*Some things get tiresome, like the fact that Dong-goo is firmly against the relationship of his sister Seo-jin (Go Won-hee — this actress I saw before in Your House Helper) and Joon-ki. This was around eps. 14/15.
*Also some things that are meant to be funny don't make sense. For example, I didn't like the episode with Doo-sik's Ukrainian date and it baffled me why the other 2 guys were jealous and sulking. Also Joon-ki stalking his stalker fan felt uncomfortable and I thought it was also out of character for him.
*I did like Jung In-sun rapping. Every time she started rapping, I burst out laughing. Dong-goo was adorable when he did a rap song for Jung In-sun in one of the last episodes.
*With 20 episodes the series is a bit too long. The first half is notably better than the second one where it loses a bit of steam. As a weekly sitcom it would be okay but not for binge-watching. I was also disappointed in the development of the romantic relationships. I would have liked to see more of that.
*Luckily the show ended with a satisfying final episode. It also got a bit more serious with the appearance of Sol's dad. I also like the girls having a night together as well as the boys. With the six friends making a film in the final scene the series comes to a perfect close.
*Love the soft colour palette of the show.
*Also, praise for baby Sol! She is the cutest!