Mr. Plankton Review: Emotional Road Trip Drama That Feels Stretched Too Thin

Familiar tropes with a twist that struggles to surprise

Mr. Plankton's great mess of emotional chaos and wickedly dark humor, mixed with a dash of existential vibes. Hae Jo (Woo Do-hwan), a guy with a certain number of months to live, sets out on a search to find his estranged father. Then, sort of by accident, his one-man mission turns into a duo when his ex, Jae-mi (Lee Yoo-mi), gets sucked into the craziness- literally in that he crashes her wedding to rich fiancé Eo Heung (Oh Jung-se).

While this unlikely duo flies through a messy, tumultuous road trip, Hae Jo is grappling with mortality while Jae-mi is dealing infertility and family expectations. This awkwardly funny journey has moments that evoke emotional responses and draws upon that energy of "What are they doing?". It thrives on the absurd conditions, changing them into some meaningful explorations. It's a K-drama made strong by its ability to turn silly situations into profound, meaningful musings.

Character Analysis Mr. Plankton

Hae Jo (Woo Do-hwan): The classic broody male lead, but he has a terminal illness twist. His emotional arc is compelling though it is at times hard to root for him based on how erratic his character is. Woo Do-hwan brings in a raw intensity into the role, and through it, Hae Jo's struggle is ground-and-real.

Jo Jae-mi (Lee Yoo-mi): Jae-mi's world is a very balancing space of chaos and grace. Relatable in print on the messiness, really adding depth to her yearning for motherhood. Lee Yoo-mi shines in this role by showcasing versatility since Strong Girl Nam-soon.

Eo Heung (Oh Jung-se): The unsuspecting fiancé turned fan-favorite. He is sweet, funny, and brings a depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.

Kka Ri (Kim Min-seok): Comic relief we all needed! His optimism and humor indeed bring contrast to the heavy themes.

Bong Sook ( Lee El): An ever-loyal landlord and friend to Hae-jo, discreetly offering him financial and emotional support. Her quiet dedication evokes themes of loyalty and found family, providing Hae-jo through his sometimes tumultuous journey with a certain degree of stability.

Themes and Execution

Woo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-mi as lead characters in Mr. Plankton. Photo: Netflix.

The questions posed by the show, however, are monumental:

• What does it mean to truly live?

• How do we find connection in a lonely world?

• Can broken relationships be mended in the face of loss?

I am not afraid to messes with the grave themes of dark comedy and earnest drama; however, the tonality shifts can feel jarring, and the pacing can be tiresome at times. The visual storytelling does add an element of richness, especially when surrounded by road trip scenes that encompass the external and internal journey of characters.

Hit & Miss

Oh Jung-se and Lee Yoo-mi in a still from Mr. Plankton. Photo: Netflix

😍Emotional Depth: The series dives deep into love, regret, and family, leaving you pondering your own connections.

😍Performances: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Yoo-mi, and Oh Jung-se give distinguishing performances and each bring their own individuality to it.

😍Humor Diagnosis: The wacky side characters along with silly situations really strike a fine balance between humor and really serious emotions.

😟Pacing: Some episodes grow tedious due to the repetitive themes that would have worked all the better in a shorter narrative.

😟Chemistry: While the leads are sometimes compatible, the synergy of their drama does not always go beyond what may have evoked high emotions.

😟Gaps in the Plotline: A few of the storylines seem to be underdeveloped or unresolved, leaving viewers wanting closure.

Final Thoughts

Mr. Plankton is a wild ride of feelings. It's not perfect, but its rawness and ambition make it worth watching for those who desire something peculiar. If you enjoy stories that mixes oddball humor with existential feels, and you're okay with minor bumps throughout, this is for you.