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[Funcurve Review] "The Man In My House"

Family Ties

They say that home is where the heart is, a dictum that certainly rings true in the romantic comedy "The Man In My House". Based on a popular webtoon, this endearing drama centers around flight attendant Hong Na-ri (Soo Ae) and her stepfather Go Nan-gil (Kim Young-kwang), who is three years her junior. Chaos ensues when she returns to her hometown for her mother's funeral, unaware that Nan-gil is now her relative, owns her mother's land, and runs the family restaurant, Hong Dumplings.

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"The production team fails to capitalize on these interesting aspects".

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I can see why the writer adapted this webtoon – the premise is fascinating and brings forth intriguing questions. Why did Nan-gil marry Na-ri's mother? What's the significance of the land? It's evident that Nan-gil's history is dark and there's a minefield of hidden entanglements between antagonists, but the production team fails to capitalize on these interesting aspects. Watching the plot unfold is unfortunately a bore due to poor pacing and execution. The meat of the story is introduced late and often plays second fiddle to side characters' stories, comedic filler, and cliche romantic encounters.

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However, there are definitely sweet moments along Na-ri and Nan-gil's intertwining paths, and I'm glad "The Man In My House" ended on a strong note. If you're just looking for a breezy watch to unwind and laugh, then this may be the series for you.

Episodes 1-4 Review

The beginning of "The Man In My House" is, frankly, unmemorable. I usually see dramas incorporate comedic filler when they're running out of plot, but it's more rare that a series begins with a string of irrelevant scenarios. This introduction trivializes an otherwise amazing storyline, leaving me uncaptivated.

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Na-ri is a headstrong and reserved flight attendant who resides in Seoul and is engaged to her boyfriend of nine years. A quirky conglomeration of maturity and clumsiness, Na-ri wears her heart on her sleeve even when tragedy strikes. Major life changes abruptly occur, causing her to lose her boyfriend and mother. Likely because Soo Ae often stars in melodramas, she's nuanced in fleshing out Na-ri's serious side, yet lacks flexibility in embodying her playfulness.

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Nan-gil is the charming and humble owner of Hong Dumplings, which is Na-ri's mother's restaurant. He's definitely the most well-rounded character thus far, exuding boyish charm, dependability, and hints of brooding darkness. Though many facts about him are introduced in succession – he's an orphan, ex-gangster, and Na-ri's stepfather – we have yet to determine the motivation behind his actions. Kim Young-kwang portrays Nan-gil's charisma with natural ease, but lacks the emotional weight necessary to convince me of Nan-gil's trauma.

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Though the beginning is unimpressive, I'm hoping that the drama finds its stride in the coming episodes as it fleshes out the main storyline.

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Continue reading on Funcurve.com

Funcurve is a new kind of reviews site. Their reviews help readers visualize the ups and downs of a drama from start to finish with an impression graph. Read more Korean drama reviews at funcurve.com.

 

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