This weekend’s drama to marathon is a warm, squishy drama so full of heart-melting moments that by the end of it you’ve been reduced to nothing more than a quivering puddle of goo. (Well, at least that how I felt by the end…)
Originally airing on MBC starting back in May, Warm and Cozy is the story of a city girl, Lee Jung Joo (Kang So Ra) who ends up buying a run-down (and supposedly haunted) house on Jeju Island, after being conned by her sister and fired from her job at an underwear company. Penniless and jobless, Jung Joo runs into Baek Gun Woo (Yoo Yun Suk), a spoiled, lazy rich kid who’s been cut off from his family’s money by his older brother, Song Jeun Geun (Lee Sung Jae). Having met once before, Gun Woo and Jung Joo immediately feel a spark of attraction that leads to an interesting business deal as well as a giant misunderstanding. Thrown together by fate, Jung Joo and Gun Woo have much to learn about life and love as they find the true meaning behind the local colloquialism, “warm and cozy.”
I have to say, I went into this drama completely biased not only because it places two of my favorite second lead actors into the role of firsts but because it also happens to be written by my most favorite writing duo, the Hong Sisters. As familiar as I am with the Hong Sister’s work, I went into Warm and Cozy with high expectations and I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed. Yes, it was a drama full of warm-fuzzies and fluff but that’s exactly what I wanted from this one! I wanted to sit down and squee over Yoo Yun Suk at least once an episode just as I wanted to cheer every episode for Kang So Ra and I got exactly what I wanted.
Baek Gun Woo is the stereotypical spoiled rich kid, who has no responsibilities and no desire to do or be anything more than a leech and a bum. When his brother cuts him off, Gun Woo is forced to grow up a bit but it’s not until Jung Joo comes crashing into his life that he really begins to mature. As with any good romantic comedy, there’s a lot of bickering between the OTP as their differences in personality and position cause some pretty major clashes. Things are only made worse by the couple’s inability to communicate. Constantly trying not to give into their feelings for each other, Gun Woo and Jung Joo’s bickering back and forth could almost drive a person mad but there are so many “awwww” moments thrown in, it makes it impossible for one to stay irritated for long.
I will say there are some pretty classic tropes played out in this drama. The spoiled rich boy, the down-and-out but oddly plucky poor girl, a giant misunderstanding centered around a terminal illness, intertwining fates, drunken confessions, more wrist grabs than anyone could ever count… The list goes on and on but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes it’s fun to sit down to a fluffy, trope-filled drama just for the feels of it. Of course, if said fluffy drama has one of the most heart-melting “I love you” confessions in the history of DramaLand, then so much the better.
I suppose Warm and Cozy isn’t a drama for everyone but if you happen to be a sentimental sap or a die-hard fan of the Hong Sisters like I am, you’re probably going to enjoy this one. Of course I could be wrong and you might actually hate this one but either way, let me know your thoughts by leaving me a comment below!
This was a cute drama. Not a great drama, but definitely good. There were over the top ridiculous moments that made you laugh and Jin Young from B1A4 was the perfect Cupid for the OTP. (He is just so darn cute!!! He needs a drama role where he gets the girl. I felt bad for him in Persevere, Goo Hae Ra and now in this drama he also gets limited access to a girl. Poor baby.) The communication between the two leads was mostly bickering and unkind with some ultra sweet moments thrown in. There’s a pretty steamy kissing scene but you have to wait a long time to get there. Be patient, it’s coming. Gun Woo is charming – just enough of a bad boy (mixed with a sad childhood) to make you swoon regularly. His brother and the diver lady have a lot of cute moments which helps pass the time. It’s a light summer drama, and you know exactly how it’s going to play out, so you won’t have much anxiety watching it. It’s perfect to watch in one sitting.