[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Modern Farmer" Episode 14

The plot is mostly filler here. We do get a resolution to the whole musical storyline, but I got the distinct impression that this whole narrative movement was specifically designed to bring one character to the rural township. Not that I'm complaining. The cliffhanger promises that next time we're going to get a clear answer to a mystery that's been dogging this drama since the early episodes, and especially lately given Yoon-hee's weird attitude to male friendships and bonding.

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In the meantime though it's just jokes again, which run the gamut from passable to good. So not quite as much fun as last episode, but still decent. My favorite this time was Sang-dook. A lot has been made of the fact that while he wants to get committed to Mee-young, Sang-dook chickens out every time there's an actual risk of being found out. Well this time he's finally actually punished for his unwillingness to behave like an adult.

This comeuppance gag doesn't work universally though. Gi-joon and the other band members also resort to a sitcom-level deception that rather unsurprisingly blows up in their face. I found this a lot less satisfying mostly because it was so easily telegraphed. Granted, the way Gi-joon ultimately makes peace with the situation is sweet. At the same time, there's really only so much warm fuzziness to be had from a guest appearance.

I was also feeling fairly unethusiastic about Han-cheol. While I guess he was acting kind of nice, the way we almost get to more clear exposition of a major plot point only to devolve into another joke was a little frustrating. Of all the plotlines his is the ones that feels the most stuck in place because it never seems to actually be going anywhere. There's only so many ways to rephrase the same basic point of guy has a crush on a girl looking for secret treasure without him actually knowing about the secret treasure part.

As usual it's the surprise gags that come off the best, like the impromptu hunting trip, or really anything that involves eating. And I suppose I can also give an endorsement of the latest romantic subplot, where the reliance on goofy stock tropes is forgivable, given that the characters have known each other for some time. Also it's pretty funny. The humor is what keeps the sheer mass of plotlines in "Modern Farmer" from collapsing under their own weight. Although at times I do have to wonder- is this drama going to end in a mass wedding? How else are so many different plot threads supposed to be resolved at once?

Review by William Schwartz

"Modern Farmer" is directed by Oh Jin-seok, written by Kim Ki-ho and features Lee Hong-ki, Lee Hanee, Lee Si-eon, Park Min-woo, Kwak Dong-yeon and Lee Han-wi.

 

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