This article contains spoilers for the following K-dramas: Mr. Sunshine, Snowdrop, Goblin, and Queen of Tears.
RomanceK-dramasusually have a happy ending, but Netflix’s upcomingMr. Planktonseries starring Woo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-mi seems like it could have a tragic outcome based on the trailer. Although some of the most anticipatedK-dramas of 2024have been released already, including but not limited toQueen of TearsandLove Next Door, there are still some exciting shows left to be released this year.Netflix’s K-drama slatefor the remainder of 2024 includes horror returning shows such asHellboundandSquid Gameas well as brand-new series such asMr. Plankton.
A Netflix original,Mr. Planktonwill arrive on the streaming platform on November 8. The show will consist of 10 episodes and will join the already long list of Korean webseries made for Netflix. A romantic comedy,Mr. Planktonis directed byJuvenile Justice’s Hong Jong-chan and written byIt’s Okay To Not Be Okay’s Jo-young. Given how emotional and sensible2020’sIt’s Okay To Not Be Okaywas,it will be interesting to see howMr. Planktonwill navigate its tragic premiseof a man who has just found out he has a terminal disease.
Woo Do-hwan’s Character Has A “Bomb” In His Brain
The trailer forMr. Planktonopens with the lead male character, played by Woo Do-hwan, finding out he has a“bomb”in his brain.Hae-jo asks the doctor how much time he has left, and while the trailer doesn’t show the answer, it is implied that the character might not leave much longer due to a brain tumor. The trailer also shows Jo Jae-mi, played by Lee Yoo-mi, navigating a difficult moment as she is diagnosed with premature menopause ahead of a marriage she doesn’t want to be part of.
Kim Hae-sook
Beom Ho-ja
These difficult circumstances will bring Hae-jo and Jae-mi, who were once in a relationship, together again for what the official synopsis describes as the“last journey”of Hae-jo’s life. This implies thatMr. Planktonwill be about Hae-jo and Jae-min making the most of the time Woo Do-hwan’s character has left, meaning the series may not have a traditional fairy tale ending like a lot of otherromantic K-dramas. That said, it’s relatively common for K-dramas with tragic premises to have a happy ending anyway, with one recent example beingQueen of Tears.
Will Mr. Plankton Have The Courage Of Killing Off Woo Do-hwan’s Character?
There have been a few K-dramas where one of the leads, usually the male character, does end up dying at the end. This includes series likeMr. Sunshine,Snowdrop, andGoblin, all of which were not afraid of ending on a bittersweet note. However, there are also a lot of series that play with the idea of a tragic ending, only for things to work out fine in the end. While having a happy ending after a series of unfortunate events can lead to a cathartic moment, those are safer endings.
Lee Yoo-mi won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Player No. 240 inSquid Game.
For example, for most ofQueen of Tears, we are led to believe that there is no way bothHae-in and Hyun-woowill make it through everything and have a happily ever after, yet it happens. This is whyit is always impactful when a K-drama does not give its lead characters an easy way out and shows that not every story ends like a fairy tale.It’s too soon to say which kind of showMr. Planktonwill be, but the fact it’s penned by the writer fromIt’s Okay To Not Be Okayis exciting.
Woo Do-hwan & Lee Yoo-mi’s Mr. Plankton Chemistry Already Looks Great
Mr. Plankton Has Paired Two Great Actors For Its Leading Roles
WhileBloodhoundseason 2 might not be released until 2026 since filming is expected to take place through 2025, fans of Woo Do-hwan will get to see him in another, very different leading role this year.Mr. Planktonwill not be Woo Do-hwan’s first romantic K-drama, but it’s exciting to see him leading a series in that genre shortly after his action-packed role in Netflix’sBloodhound. Woo Do-hwan’s character inMr. Planktonappears to be hilarious and charming, not to mention the noticeable great chemistry between him and Lee Yoo-mi’s character.
20 K-Dramas That Didn’t Have A Happily Ever After
K-Dramas often leave viewers feeling bittersweet by the end of a series. Here are times when they did not have a happy ending.
After stealing the show in two worldwide Netflix successes –Squid GameandAll of Us Are Dead– in minor roles, Lee Yoo-mi is now leading her own streaming webseries.Mr. Planktonwill not be her first leading K-drama role, though, as Lee Yoo-mi recently shined on JTBC’sStrong Girl Nam-soon. Given how great Lee Yoo-min has been in every series she has appeared regardless of how big the role was, seeing her leading a Netflix rom-com alongside Woo Do-hwan is incredibly exciting. Hopefully,Mr. Planktonwill live up to the expectations.
