Drama Title: 꽃미남 라면가게 / Kkotminam Ramyeongage/
Flower Boy
Ramen Shop
Year: 2011
Genre: Romance Comedy
16 Episodes
For me, Flower Boy Ramen Shop was the beginning of my life as
a K-Drama fan, which is quite interesting as it is said that the hit K-Drama
"Boys Over Flowers" is the gateway drug of a K-Drama addiction. Not this time,
but don’t worry "Boys Over Flowers" has its own special place in my heart and
will certainly find a place in this blog as well.
Flower Boy Ramen Shop definitely stamped the Korean flag
right on my heart as I followed Yang Eun Bi (Lee Chung Ah), a teacher intern
(student teacher) who has doubts about being a teacher, but wants to be
something in society as she gets over a break up with a long- time boyfriend
and also deals with some daddy daughter issues.
BUT WAIT…
First we meet the tall, slim, pretty faced Cha Chi Soo,
(Jung Il Woo) who gets out of trouble by being cute and saying something
charming. Females melt in front of him as he says something random such as:
“That mole, it’s pretty” and then walks away looking back and giving the female
a quick wink of the eye.
After Yang Eun Bi and Cha Chi Soo meet randomly (in a female
bathroom stall) as the always insecure tomboy Eun Bi looks at Cha thinking he could
be around his twenties. After an encounter with her EX she takes off with the
unknowing Cha Chi Soo who is more concerned with his cashmere sweater possibly
being stained than acknowledging the vulnerable Eun Bi.
It isn’t until the teacher intern goes to her first day of
work after embarrassing herself by calling Cha Chi Soo “oppa” (although Oppa
really means older brother, it is growing as slang for honey/sweetie) before
realizing he is in fact a student. Not only is he a student he is the richest
student and his father’s company owns the school.
Another thing you will learn about K-Drama’s is that there
will usually be a second male lead. I will take the time to talk all about the
beloved second male lead another time but with Flower Boy Ramen Shop the second
male lead is Choi Kang Hyuk (Lee Ki Woo). Throughout the show he is known as
Pillar. Yes ladies this is another tall and pretty faced man. Kang is usually
found sleeping in a random place. Eun Bi didn’t even know he was there for a
while.
Through unforeseen circumstances, Eun Bi, Kang and Cha Chi
Soo all become involved and end up working at Eun Bi’s father’s Ramen Shop. (I
don’t want to give too many spoilers).
This show grabbed my attention because it was pretty funny.
I could relate to Eun Bi. When I first watched Flower Boy Ramen Shop I was
getting ready to enter my student internship. She also day dreamed which I do
way too often. I also understand how it feels to be getting older without a
boyfriend and without any prospects of getting married as many others are well
on their way to marriage.
BUT….
As you will find as you enter your own journey into K-Drama,
the flower boys will get you every time. Cha Chi Soo ultimately stole my heart
as I watched this rich kid fall in love and has absolutely no idea what he is
feeling. He had never had such experiences having been sheltered and initially
thought he was sick. (He went to the hospital saying a fist was in his
heart). Kang was also a great face and
body to look at throughout the story line. As a reasonable woman I understood
how it made a lot of sense to be with someone who would stand at a pillar for
you. (Hence his nickname as pillar).
Again I am not into spoilers, but there is more to Cha Chi
Soo than just a cute face and money. He has some secrets as does Choi Kang
Hyuk. They both share a common bond (a shocking revelation) and a love for Eun
Bi. By the way President Cha, Cha Chi Soo’s father doesn’t like the idea of
being involved with someone who is below them on the caste system if you know
what I mean. (Another reoccurring theme in K-Dramas).
The cast members make the show colorful and keep the
storyline moving and also are the reason for the show being called Flower Boy
Ramen Shop as these cute young boys all find themselves working at the shop.
There are also sub-plots as other characters help to Eun Bi with her problems
and their problems are revealed.
Jung Il Woo was so magnificent to me as Cha Chi Soo, so much
so, I wanted to see him in more dramas, which will lead to my next review.
Without even knowing anything about K-Dramas I could see genuine acting. I mean
it takes skill to have the comedic timing for certain characters and to me he
did well. He also was amazing with emotional scenes. We often see Cha Chi Soo
with tears welled up in his eyes. I even
named one of my dogs, Cha Chi Soo, which was approved of as I showed my mother
Flower Boy Ramen Shop and she also fell in love with the show and K-Drama, now
she and I usually watch K-Drama together.
Imagine that K-Drama pulls families together.
It was intriguing to see this Noona/Dongseng situation as
well. OH the Noona/Dongseng
theme…yes…another topic I will have to discuss for another day as for now, it’s
the older woman/younger man relationship.
In America this drama would have been more of a tragedy than a comedy
(although Cha Chi Soo is 19, therefore of age).
Be prepared to literally laugh out loud, cry, and root for
Eun Bi to find her way. Watch and tell
me what you think. Have you already
watched it? Did you love it? Did you hate it? Who was your favorite character?
Who would you choose? Why?
In the meantime check out a few trailers:
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