Once Upon a Small Town (2022) 어쩌다 전원일기
Directed by Kwon Seok-jang, starring Park Soo-young aka Joy as Ahn Ja-young, Choo Young-woo as Han Ji-yul, Baek Sung-chul as Lee Sang-hyun.
Watched 15 - 21 August 2025 — 12 episodes (NETFLIX)
*I had started this series in October 2022 when it just came out, and had only watched 1 episode before putting it on hold (see this post). This had everything to do with the appeal of the leads (or lack of). Now I gave it another try (and treating it as a new watch, I rewatched ep. 1), because it wasn't really fair to the show for not giving it a proper chance (at least 2 episodes more). Since my first attempt of watching this series, I've seen the male lead Choo Young-woo in other shows (The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call and Head over Heels). Though I'm still not a fan, I guess I like Choo Young-woo better now. When I watched this show's first episode way back in 2022, I had just started my K-drama journey (in June 2022), and since then I've experienced multiple times that shows I initially don't like very much really can get better. Ánd .... this show has only 12 episodes of approx. 30 minutes each, so it's not a big time investment.
*Having said all that, I really enjoyed this wholesome slice-of-life series. Maybe I was just in the mood for such a lighthearted romantic watch, in any case I'm glad I picked it up again.
*The series has a slow pace and a simple story premise where a city vet from Seoul goes to work in a small village to fill in for his grandfather who runs the veterinary hospital and who's taking grandma on a much-desired holiday. There's nothing groundbreaking about this show, and it's all very predictable, but I like the vibe and it's an easy watch. Fortunately no violence or mean people, also no tedious scenes with the ahjummas. There's gorgeous and idyllic scenery to enjoy, as well as bike riding, cute dogs and three romances (!).
*I like the interactions of our OTP (they have good chemistry) and their bickering in the beginning. Han Ji-yul is a city boy and goes by the rules, whereas Ahn Ja-young's a country girl who has a personal connection with the village people, turning a blind eye now and then when on cop duty and a fellow villager does something wrong. It's evident Ji-yul doesn't approve.
*I like Ja-young for being a jack of all trades and an important pillar of the community. I also like the actress Park Soo-young aka Joy, which wasn't the case with my first attempt of watching this show in 2022.
*Episode 4 was funny when Ji-yul loses his contact lens and Ja-young offers him her baton to hold on to so she can lead him out of the woods. This made me laugh out loud.
*The 2nd male lead Baek Sung-chul as Lee Sang-hyun is slightly annoying. He's a good friend of Ja-young and runs a peach farm. (And he has a very cool outdoor coffee place!) He also has a romantic interest in Ja-young. I don't like how he immediately targets Ji-yul as his rival, playing competing games. I just didn't like his behaviour very much. Fortunately Sang-hyun behaves better when he realises it's really Ji-yul Ja-young loves.
*For me the episode with the old man and his terminally ill bull (he's had him for 30 years) was the most emotional and memorable. The heartbroken man asks Ji-yul to perform euthanasia on the animal, and when Ji-yul stops the bull's suffering, the man is grateful to Ji-yul and sad at the same time. The scene is really heartbreaking. It makes you like Ji-yul as a character even more.
*I mentioned there are 3 romances. We have Ji-yul's friend (a veterinarian running an animal hospital in Seoul) romancing the veterinary nurse/ Ji-yul's assistant in the village. And there's the kids, the chubby little boy and his girlfriend! Love the episode where the kids are not on speaking terms and how the boy gets conflicting pieces of advice from Ja-young and Ji-yul. Love Ja-young and Ji-yul's quarrel when they accuse each other of giving bad advice.
*I'm glad the main romance isn't rushed and takes its sweet time to develop.
*This show's length is perfect. More episodes and it would definitely have outstayed its welcome.
*So, one lesson learnt: don't dismiss a series too soon! Second chances can certainly be worth it!!!