Drama name: Sweet Stranger and Me/ Man Living at my house (Literal translation title)
Country: South Korea
Year: Oct- Dec 2016
The title intrigued me so I started watching this drama. I thought it would be the usual tenant and landlord kind of story, handsome guy moves in and falls in love with the landlady. But it's not that.
Hong Na Ri, a senior stewardess, thought her life is going well but finds out her fiance of 9 years is cheating on her with her junior. Na Ri's mother also passes away suddenly in an accident. She returns to her mother's house after a year of grieving only to find a young guy has moved in and taken over her mother's dumpling business (Hong dumplings).
The young guy, Ko Nan Gil, apparently is her stepdad. He married her mother before she passed away. Na Ri thought he was a con-artist at first but eventually she discovers that he is doing it for a reason. The rest of the story goes on with Na Ri uncovering the secrets behind Ko Nan Gil, her mother's marriage and the land in which her mother's house and Hong dumplings is built on.
Overall thoughts?
The first few episodes were interesting, it kept you wondering what was the secret, what was going to happen next. But as the story went on, there was little development and it got rather boring.
Best parts of the drama?
To be honest, there's not much interesting interior spaces in this drama. However, the scenery of the surrounding area of Na Ri's house and Hong dumplings is really nice.
I enjoyed the bicycle rides and lakeside scenes:
Even the farm where Nan Gil grows vegetables gives you a nice peaceful feeling:
The robot museum is pretty unique. I wonder if it really exists in Korea?
Duk Bong's office and room in the robot museum:
Duk Shim's bicycle is really lovely!
One of Nan Gil's dumpling boys, Joon's car:
Only in the later episodes there were some cafes:
Some pretty cool nightlights at a resort (?) where Nan Gil and Na Ri went for a short holiday:
More scenery:
Notable scenes:
The beginning episodes where Nan Gil was trying to be a stepdad to Na Ri, resulting in a hilarious moment with Duk Bong:
The part where Na Ri peeps into Nan Gil's room while he changes his clothes. It was rather creepy too, if you think of it that you're seeing your stepdad undress... But it's drama, so nobody cares... :D With a sexyback like that, who can resist? ;P
The dumpling boys, Nan Gil's workers in Hong Dumplings. There was one guy who was really cute and funny. The other two, Hani and Joon are Nan Gil's friends (sort of brothers/ followers) that he met while in prison.
Over commericals
I know that Coffeesmith is one of the main sponsors... but seriously, there has not been a drama like this where almost every cafe scene is in their premises! Even Na Ri's best friend is working there, yes they even had to squeeze that in at the very last episode...
Fashion
A special mention for Kwon Duk Bong's dressing in this drama. I know Nan Gil has his share of turtlenecks but Duk Bong takes the trophy for best dressed. :D
Conclusion
There is a happy ending, Nan Gil and Na Ri gets together and his marriage to her mother was annulled. The land issue settled with Dada Finance guys thrown to jail and Duk Bong's father giving up on the land. However I must say the ending is really cheesy. Na Ri's father who ran away after creating all this mess and also Na Ri's gambling uncle gets to enjoy the benefits of Hong Dumplings under Nan Gil's care. Duk Bong's father gets away without any justice for the burnt orphanage. Although it happened more than 40 years ago but still I felt that issue was not given a proper closure. As with Na Ri's mother's death, I'm still not clear if she really died in a car accident or that Duk Bong's father/ Dada finance people killed her.
I'm really relieved that this drama has ended. I don't think I could stand another few more episodes of constant flashbacks and the staring game. Yeah, there was so many staring moments between the male and female lead... I was like, "Can you guys stop staring already??!!" Omo, yasss it's finally over!!
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