Mr. Plankton brings together a dose of comedy, romance and heartbreak with Woo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-mi in the lead roles. The series is a romantic comedy at its core, focusing on two former lovers who get back together through unexpected and heartbreaking circumstances.

Despite breaking up and moving on with their lives, Jae-mi (played by Lee Yoo-mi) and Hae-jo (played by Woo Do-hwan) find themselves in a bittersweet reunion. Both characters grapple with major life challenges, including Hae-jo’s terminal illness and Jae-mi’s struggle with premature menopause. In a strange twist, Hae-jo kidnaps Jae-mi just moments before her wedding, sending them off on an emotional road trip to search for their long-lost father.

The show explores themes of love, regret, and the meaning of family. Hae-jo’s final desire to be reunited with her father adds a layer of poignancy, while Jae-mi’s desire to become a mother makes her character sympathetic. Despite the tension and unresolved issues between them, the journey they embark on gives them a chance to confront their past and, perhaps, find closure.

Woo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-mi carry most of the series with their good chemistry and performances. Woo Do-hwan’s portrayal of Hae-jo is impressive, and he successfully brings out pain, frustration, and vulnerability. Watching Hae-jo struggle with his limited time and emotions will leave viewers wondering – we hope he finds his father soon.

Lee Yu-mi also does justice to her role as Jae-mi, bringing warmth and relatability to a character who is otherwise dealing with her own emotional struggles. After her role in Strong Girl Nam-soon, which was a bit of a flop, her portrayal here comes as a surprise.

However, although both the leads do a commendable job, it feels like the impact they make doesn’t quite work out. Their chemistry, while genuine, lacks the strength that would take their dynamic from good to great. It’s as if his performance hovers on the edge of something powerful but doesn’t quite reach memorable territory.

Supporting actor Oh Jung-se, who plays Jae-mi’s fiancé Eo-heung, adds depth to the series in his own right. His portrayal brings moments of humor and unexpected honesty. Known for his strong roles – whether supporting or lead – Jung-se lives up to his reputation and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

One of the main issues with Mister Plankton is its speed. The series often lingers too long on certain scenes and moments, making it feel dragged out. Some episodes feel repetitive, which reduces engagement and tests your attention span. The story would have benefited from tighter editing, as there are instances where similar themes and conflicts are repeated without adding much depth. While it makes sense that the show aims to delve into the characters’ inner worlds, this approach sometimes hinders the flow, making parts of the show feel slow and drawn out.

The series plays with familiar K-drama tropes, such as the misunderstood, anxious male lead and emotionally complex female lead. While these motifs can be effective, they sometimes feel overused here, increasing the sense of familiarity without offering enough fresh twists to keep the audience guessing. The supporting cast of quirky side characters offer light-hearted moments, but they don’t do enough to break up the show’s heavy themes and tone.

Written by Joe Yong, best known for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, the script balances humor and drama in a way that is both poignant and introspective. The series raises questions about love, loyalty, and the fleeting nature of life. There are some moments that are truly inspiring and there are some that just feel weird or even random. Sometimes, tone changes can be jarring, breaking the emotional rhythm and leaving the audience wondering where the story is going. For fans who didn’t mind the bittersweet ending of Uncontrollably Fiend, Mr. Plankton may feel the same way for you.

Mister Plankton was a watchable, albeit uneven, experience that some people will find touching and others may find lacking.