Premiere Watch: Old School Intern, Mystic Pop-up Bar, Team Bulldog: Off-duty Investigation
by missvictrix
Enough of the dark, melancholy, and double-universe dramas we’ve been dealing with lately. This week our premieres are all a bit wacky, but each in their own way. All three dramas are also a bit shorter in overall length than we’re used to, and clock at about 12 episodes each. Am I sensing a new pattern?
Old School Intern
Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: MBC
Genre: Comedy, workplace, human
Episode count: 24 (35 minute episodes)
Reasons to watch: Park Hae-jin returns to dramaland, and I’m not sure if you heard, but he emailed me directly to apologize for Forest. He said Old School Intern is going to make up for it with its office space hilarity. Of course I’m just kidding, but I sure hope it’s true! Park Hae-jin stars as the director of a marketing department who decides to take some revenge on his old boss, played by Kim Eung-soo. Because what do you do when the by-the-books manager that made your life miserable as an intern turns up at your office… as your new intern? It’s time for the payback! As upper management and intern roles are reversed, hijinks will ensue. The collection of characters that also work in the office should bring even more fun to the mix, and if the show’s promo materials are any indication, it looks like it has potential.
Mystic Pop-up Bar
Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: JTBC
Genre: Fantasy
Episode count: 12
Reasons to watch: Are you ready for potion-like drinks and magical pochas? I know I am! Of all of our premieres this week, Mystic Pop-up Bar is the most zany… and the hardest to pin down what sort of a drama it will actually be. The loud and often-nutty Hwang Jung-eum plays our hanbok-wearing bar owner, and I’m feeling like this just might be the perfect role for her. She’s some sort of magical being with the goal of helping 100,000 people so her soul doesn’t get dissolved — and she needs Yook Sung-jae to help. Don’t we all! It’s a funny take on a “healing” drama, because while our bar owners and workers are out to tend to their customers’ emotional baggage, it’ll surely be anything but our typical healing drama. The show’s teasers (and overall concept) are all pretty bizarre, which means this will either be a glorious masterpiece, or a glorious mess. Either way, I’m tuning in to this one.
Team Bulldog: Off-duty Investigation
Time slot: Saturday & Sunday
Broadcaster: OCN
Genre: Action, crime
Episode count: 12
Reasons to watch: My heart doesn’t exactly jump for joy when I see a new OCN drama premiering, but there’s still a reason to get excited: Cha Tae-hyun is in the lead! He should be able to bring a nice balance to OCN’s usual crime offerings. Cha plays a police officer who will do anything to catch the bad guys, while Lee Sun-bin is an equally overzealous PD with the same aim — but her motive is for her TV show to become legendary. The best thing for me about this drama’s premise is that the eponymous Team Bulldog is a group of misfits that join together to get things done on their own terms. I don’t know about you, but a story about a crime-fighting team (with good chemistry and characters) is always welcome, and can be loads of fun. Let’s hope this drama leans less towards Rugal, and more towards Mad Dog, eh?
RELATED POSTS
- Kim Eung-soo fetches coffee for Park Hae-jin in Old School Intern
- New Mystic Pop-up Bar teaser and Yook Sung-jae’s last video message before military
- Yook Sung-jae, Hwang Jung-eum in new stills for Mystic Pop-up Bar
- Fantasy drama Mystic Pop-up Bar releases new teaser
- Park Hae-jin shows Kim Eung-soo who’s boss in new teaser for Old School Intern
- Park Hae-jin, Kim Eung-soo, Han Ji-eun are working hard in new stills for revenge comedy Old School Intern
- Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Sun-bin set to fight crime in new teaser for Team Bulldog: Off-duty Investigation
- Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Sun-bin to star in OCN’s Further Investigation
Tags: Mystic Pop-up Bar, Old School Intern, Premiere Watch, Team Bulldog - Off-duty Investigation
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1 ObsessedMuch
May 19, 2020 at 11:20 PM
I am curious about Mystic Pop- Up bar but am scared of the screaming! Will still check it out!
And oh wow Cha Taehyun! Maybe I will check out first 2 eps of Team Bulldog for him :)
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PurpleTeapot
May 20, 2020 at 12:27 AM
I’m definitely checking out Mystic Pop-up Bar, but by now so many Beanies have mentioned “the screaming” that I’m almost more curious about it than the drama itself 🙊 (Haven’t watched a Hwang Jung-eum drama before so I haven’t encountered this... legend that everybeanie speaks of)
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ObsessedMuch
May 20, 2020 at 12:40 AM
How have you managed to stay away from a gem like Kill Me Heal Me? Despite her screams, that is a great show... She used to be okay in her earlier dramas but She Was Pretty and Lucky Romance were scream fests!
I hope she might have changed by now and won't scream in this drama though..
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Cindy Mahri
May 20, 2020 at 3:16 AM
Kill Me Heal Me was so good! She was great there, but I loved it more for Ji Sung. 😅
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ObsessedMuch
May 20, 2020 at 6:45 AM
Ji Sung was a revelation there! The man is such an amazing actor that I was left in awe!
PurpleTeapot
May 20, 2020 at 4:42 AM
I missed a whole bunch of dramas from around 2014-2015 because I got busy in my last year of university! I also usually gravitate towards slice of life/ youth dramas more. But I've definitely seen that Yona "If you're handsome, you're my oppa" scene before!
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ObsessedMuch
May 20, 2020 at 6:45 AM
Hahahha yeah that scene is a classic! Here is hoping you don't have to experience The Screamer in action in this drama! :D
ohduhree
May 21, 2020 at 3:53 AM
Kill Me Heal Me was indeed a gem. Hwang Jung Eum also does broken and wretched well, as she did in Secret (still with Jisung). Lol. Even in KMHM she cried so much. The lady has so much tears inside her. But I don't hate her. I hope MPUB is as quirky as its premise.
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Bebot
May 20, 2020 at 6:03 PM
Kill me heal me, Secret, Lucky romance and she was pretty was a good dramas of her
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transient
May 20, 2020 at 11:37 PM
Nooo not Lucky Romance.
You are lucky if you skipped that drama.
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OldLawyer
May 20, 2020 at 10:25 PM
This show is more like HOTEL DEL LUNA.
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bbstl 🧹
May 20, 2020 at 7:18 AM
Because of the screaming, I’ll never watch her in another show but I can’t wait for the recaps to see if she’s gotten it toned down by now 🤣
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ObsessedMuch
May 20, 2020 at 7:20 AM
*fingers crossed* hope she really has toned it down cuz I kinda miss Sungjae and want to watch this!
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windsun33
May 20, 2020 at 8:38 AM
I guess it's just like me and PSH - I am still traumatized by her endless crying in Heirs, even years later.
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wapz
May 20, 2020 at 10:02 AM
But PSH improved in other shows sans MotA. HJE has been screaming(basically overacting) in all shows after KMHM.
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transient
May 20, 2020 at 11:42 PM
I try to avoid dramas with PSH. Her character looks like someone who is constipated, all the time, in Beautiful You and Heirs. Even since then, I actively avoid her dramas, except for Memories of Alhambra. In MoA, I love the writer so much that I had to tolerate her and her character was somewhat constipated there too
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transient
May 20, 2020 at 11:43 PM
*typo:
not "Even" but "Ever"
saoirse10
May 22, 2020 at 1:11 PM
I truly cannot watch any of her dramas because of that scream. Even the crying kills me as well
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Peridot
May 20, 2020 at 10:52 AM
LOL. We all know what you mean 'bout "the screaming." ;)
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ObsessedMuch
May 20, 2020 at 11:40 AM
Hehehe beanie power!
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2 Kaleidoscopic
May 19, 2020 at 11:22 PM
Looking forward to Mystic Pop-up Bar! It reminds me of xxxHolic! And can I just say, that also makes me ship Hwang Jung Eum and Yook Sungjae. It's been done before, even the reverse, so why the heck not? Besides, it's not like our boy Sungjae doesn't have experience romancing hot grandmas..... 😂😂😂
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3 uzistar
May 20, 2020 at 12:54 AM
I'm excited to watch Mystic Pop-up Bar tonight! I need more crazy fun in my life hahaha
I haven't read about Team Bulldog before, but the mention of Cha Tae-hyun got me curious.
Ah, and having more 12-episode dramas is interesting. I wonder how that pattern affects the quality of the shows, and our drama-watching habits.
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4 YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
May 20, 2020 at 1:02 AM
Chortling at ex-Oppa's "email" to @missvictrix. @leetennant @katakwasabi I took one look at his face and went cold. His new drama sounds quirky, but I'm so scarred from Forest, I don't know if I could ever watch him act again.
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LT is Irresistibly Indifferent, Dame Judi
May 20, 2020 at 1:59 AM
Park Who Jin
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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
May 20, 2020 at 2:10 AM
That set me off laughing again. It is seriously THE best joke ever. 😂😂
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mugyuljoie is preciousss
May 20, 2020 at 3:55 AM
Park Who Jin needs to earn his way back into @yyishere's and @missvictrix's good graces. I just saw that he has another drama in the works for 2020 after this one.
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OldLawyer
May 20, 2020 at 10:26 PM
I have watched the first episode and can confidently state that this show is no FOREST.
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transient
May 20, 2020 at 11:45 PM
Thank god.
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5 happiness
May 20, 2020 at 1:07 AM
OMG the cardboard cut out of Sung-jae is killing me 😂
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mary
May 21, 2020 at 3:17 AM
Came to the comments looking for someone to point this out XD
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6 amruta1009
May 20, 2020 at 1:15 AM
Wow three of them only twelve episodes? Like I like 16 episode dramas and some feel like they should have more but generally speaking most of them don't need that many. I think I want to watch all three though. Looks fun. Also Team Bulldog won't be dark right?
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windsun33
May 20, 2020 at 8:41 AM
I suspect that it is due mainly to the virus thing. But you are right that some dramas seem like they could delete 2 to 4 of the middle episodes and not lose a thing.
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7 liar song #PuppyNotPuppyLeeJaeWookIsBack
May 20, 2020 at 1:17 AM
Pfft. I also want PHJ to email me 🤣
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liar song #PuppyNotPuppyLeeJaeWookIsBack
May 20, 2020 at 1:18 AM
Also, hooray for 12-episode dramas! I hope these shows would be fun!
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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
May 20, 2020 at 2:13 AM
No, you don't. Trust me. You won't live to read it. The fangirls will rip you to shreds.
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liar song #PuppyNotPuppyLeeJaeWookIsBack
May 20, 2020 at 3:52 AM
I want to read an apology letter from him for doing Forest. I was so traumatized and couldn't even finish episode 1.
But I will forgive him if Old School Intern turns to be a crack.
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Kairoskat 💐
May 21, 2020 at 4:04 AM
I just realized..old school intern only has 12 eps. I think it's gonna be crack and also a hit.
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liar song #PuppyNotPuppyLeeJaeWookIsBack
May 21, 2020 at 4:10 AM
Old school intern ep 1 was a crack and my father looked like a puppy in the first half. I hope the show stays funny throughout its run because 12 eps is enough to make or break a show.
Kairoskat 💐
May 21, 2020 at 4:21 AM
I forgot, did you watch Vagabond ssong? Lily is in Old School Intern! Hahaha 😆
liar song #PuppyNotPuppyLeeJaeWookIsBack
May 21, 2020 at 4:42 AM
I did but I couldn't bring myself to finish the show (RockCandy ship should've sailed). Lily is one of the few things I liked about that show! Park Ah-in was also on Boksoo as well as Never Twice and I think I like her in any drama she's in!
mary
May 21, 2020 at 3:18 AM
That comment got me. LOL lubu @missvictrix
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missvictrix
May 21, 2020 at 5:30 AM
mwaaaaa!
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8 Cloggie
May 20, 2020 at 1:35 AM
Is it bad to watch Team Bulldog, just because divorced chaebol was super-hot in Search: WWW?
*just asking for a friend*
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parkchuna ❤️🍉
May 20, 2020 at 1:47 AM
Checked with a friend and they agree it’s ok 👌
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Kurama
May 20, 2020 at 2:22 AM
I like him since Descendants of the Sun, so I would say yes, he's a good reason :p
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strawberriesncreams
May 20, 2020 at 3:19 AM
Tell your friend no, of course not.
I for one is watching The King to bless my eyes with handsome oppa Lee Min-ho(t)🔥😂
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egads aka Dame Maggie
May 20, 2020 at 7:39 PM
Tell your friend that the kdrama viewing bylaws clearly state that watching a drama "because [actor] was super hot in [previous work]" is sound and reasonable and is in fact a well-documented tradition in drama fandoms.
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transient
May 20, 2020 at 11:47 PM
Of course, 50% of the time, this is how I decide whether to watch a drama or not.
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Cloggie
May 21, 2020 at 12:02 AM
*my friend* was a bit concerned about the jacket with sash he's wearing in that picture, thereby reducing overall hotness.
But if it's a bylaw, then the drama will be watched.
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egads aka Dame Maggie
May 21, 2020 at 10:05 AM
I often give the benefit of the doubt when celebrities wear questionable ensembles for official events as I think they may be dressed by others and are contractually forced to wear things that detract from their inherent hotness. That sashed jacket is a perfect example of this.
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mary
May 21, 2020 at 3:25 AM
BTW, did the "friend" see the teasers where they parody other OCN shows? https://twitter.com/amteun/status/1231047531439591424?s=20 ♥
I thought this show passed me by cos OCN promoted it months ago :O
Also bonus video if
you'rethe friend is starved for Divorced Chaebol content: https://twitter.com/OCN_ORIGINAL/status/1230009478193352704?s=20Required fields are marked *
Cloggie
May 21, 2020 at 3:37 AM
I had no idea yellow was going to be my colour
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Cloggie
May 21, 2020 at 3:41 AM
I mean: my friend's colour of course.
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ohduhree
May 21, 2020 at 4:12 AM
Now your comment is enough to make me check it out 😉
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egads aka Dame Maggie
May 21, 2020 at 10:23 AM
The parody has me wanting to watch. Is this going to be the fun drama that finally gets and keeps my attention?
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9 myra
May 20, 2020 at 2:10 AM
On Sunday premiered Wind, Cloud and Rain and apparently with good ratings! Why is it ignored here?
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10 bluekitchen
May 20, 2020 at 2:53 AM
My wish is for IU or the Hotel del Luna staff to make a cameo on Mystic Pop Up Bar and order a drink.
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napria
May 20, 2020 at 6:11 AM
I’m surprised no one else felt a Hotel del Luna vibe.
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uzistar
May 20, 2020 at 6:46 AM
I think I've read in the comments of another DB article that this was based on a webtoon which came before Hotel del Luna
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OldLawyer
May 21, 2020 at 7:36 AM
So maybe the Hong sisters drew inspiration from the webtoon when they came up with HDL?
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OldLawyer
May 20, 2020 at 10:29 PM
I certainly did.
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11 strawberriesncreams
May 20, 2020 at 3:10 AM
Oh dramas, I can never keep up😭😂
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12 CharmingKey
May 20, 2020 at 7:12 AM
Just realized Han Ji-Eun from Be Melodramatic is in Old School Intern so looks like I'm watching it hahaha
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13 Marciaann
May 20, 2020 at 7:42 AM
I hope more dramas move to 12 episodes, the last 4 sometimes are the most painful and I just wish they would wrap it up sooner (especially in the case where we're drawing out the misery).
Excited about Old School Intern and Mystic Pop Up but very likely to wait till a few more beanies give their seal of approval. Hwang Jung-eum is very hit or miss for me.
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wapz
May 20, 2020 at 10:06 AM
12 episodes are perfect for the viewer as well as the drama. I think viewers get tired by 16 episodes too and dramas start lagging especially rom coms.
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14 laladaisical
May 20, 2020 at 7:54 AM
I'm glad HJE is making a comeback. It's been too long and sedate without her energy. She's a wonderful, expressive actress, and I'm looking forward to Mystic Pop Up.
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15 miss h
May 20, 2020 at 7:59 AM
Definitely trying Mystic Pop up Bar and Team Bulldog. Like that all three are 12 episodes. The last batch of dramas had a couple 12 episode series too. Can I hope that this means it will be happening more often? I'm sure they are doing it to reduce costs, but I think it can improve storytelling.
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16 windsun33
May 20, 2020 at 8:48 AM
I wonder if Old School will have a cameo appearance by the Forest Clams?
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17 loveblossom🌸
May 20, 2020 at 9:22 AM
Oh whoa, I didn't know these dramas were shorter. That could really be a good thing.
Interested in Team Bulldog. Hope it's fun (and subbed).
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18 Zora
May 20, 2020 at 10:01 AM
I just saw a hilarious JTBC's promo video Mystic Pop-up Bar with a mash up of Itaewon Class scenes. It would be nice to see Park Seo Joon cameo for real! Anyway, I'm sooo excited to watch this drama.
I loveeeee Cha Tae Hyun in 2Days1Night so I am glad to see him again. I will definitely check out Team Bulldog.
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19 napria
May 20, 2020 at 10:30 AM
Just watched the first episode of Mystic Pop-up Bar. Light and delightful. Barely any screaming. >.<. Definitely will continue this.
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20 larelle79
May 20, 2020 at 12:41 PM
I will give Old School Intern a try and I am really looking forward to Team Bulldog. I think this will go the dark comedy route and if done correctly will be great.
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21 OldLawyer
May 20, 2020 at 10:36 PM
Miss Victrix is definitely owed an apology for FOREST. I myself do not need one because it allowed my to release my Inner Snark on what we used to call in my Naval days a "target rich environment".
After watching the first episode of MYSTIC POP-UP BAR I am encouraged- it looks like a winner.
On Viki OLD SCHOOL INTERN is named " Kkondae Intern" and so far we have no subtitles.
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22 knewbie
May 21, 2020 at 1:25 AM
Just seen the first episode of Old School Intern. So far it doesn't seem terribly original or dynamic, but the plot makes sense, the characters are plausible and the acting ranges from decent to great. And Kim Eung-soo looks like he's going to be stealing the show as the eponymous intern. I'm in!
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23 knewbie
May 21, 2020 at 2:59 AM
And for viewers who get hungry watching Korean drama, note that Old School Intern's setting is not just any company but a RAMYEON company. You've been warned...
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24 Janezelda
May 21, 2020 at 1:12 PM
I was looking forward to Mystic Pop Up Bar, but when I saw who the female lead was, I have to give it a hard no. I made myself watch a couple of episodes for the benefit of the doubt, but, just no. I already have a pandemic headache, so, no.
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25 Rose
May 22, 2020 at 9:32 AM
I watched Mystic Pop-up bar and I must say it was slow for me, but only at the beginning, I don't know, maybe they could do a better job or I had my hope way too high up or simply I just in too much rush, anyway, as the drama went on I didn't feel the feeling I had at the beginning and I know I'm definitely looking forward to next episode. HJE knows very well what she is doing and she is doing a perfect job, she is the best 500 years old ghost I've ever known, she is not pushing anything in terms of acting and I must say she and CWY are very good together, perfectly matched! Waiting to see more of YSJ and what he is going to bring to this bar!
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