As células de Yumi (2021)

Yumi is frustrating and flawed and so relatable thanks to some truly adorable cells!

I really loved this drama. I didn't know what to expect when I started it but it was fun and smart and frustrating and so relatable. On the surface, it's a pretty mundane love story with the usual romance tropes and misunderstandings, but it's the cells and their antics that reveal all the inner turmoil that was so easy to identify with. Even when Yumi drove me super crazy seeing her cells made me understand her and reflect on times when I was just as sensitive and irrational. Plus the cells are so super cute!!! I was almost tempted to give this drama perfect scores because of my cell bias, but the main thing that stopped me from doing that was Yumi herself.

Kim Go Eun plays Yumi. I actually found her performance overall to be a little dull, but that worked pretty perfectly with the premise. Her lowkey performance is a great juxtaposition to the chaos of the cells in her head. This is my third attempt at a drama with Go Eun as the female lead, and she's always bland to me. I didn't like her in Cheese in a Trap, and I still haven't been able to watch Goblin (Yes, THAT Goblin... the one that everyone loves so much). This time, with the help of the talented voice actors who play her "cells", I finally could enjoy her in a lead role. I was still annoyed by Yumi for most of the drama, but I was also empathetic. Yumi is an insecure romantic, in love with the idea of love, but still scarred from a traumatic breakup. She is matched in this drama with Ahn Bo Hyun as Ku Woong. Woong doesn't make the greatest impression on her at first but soon I was sucked into all the ups and downs of their unexpected relationship. Would they have been an exciting couple to watch without the cells, probably not, but with the cells input, commentary, and actions I was hyped to watch every single episode. Don't get me wrong. I loved Woong, and Bo Hyun's performance, I just think two laid back leads only work well in this kind of scenario. I was also more #teamWoong than I was rooting for Yumi, and I appreciated getting insight into his character too.

The supporting live action cast were all great, although many of them are pretty one note (like the hilariously annoying Ruby, and infuriating Sae Yi), but the real MVPs of the cast are the voice actors. I have my favorites... (Shout out to "Naughty"!!! I loved "Hunger" too!) but they are all the true stars of this drama, with some even taking on multiple cell roles. I don't know the webtoon at all, or how true to that the original cells this drama is, but getting to see and hear them made them seem all so real and made me imagine my own internal cell village. Yes, they are adorable but they show how messy, and contradictory, and imperfect people are, even with the best intentions. I know it's not exactly the most original concept, but the execution is unique, and it really is brilliantly done.

Would I watch this again? Definitely. Just to see the cells? Absolutely. Of course I am happier that there will be a season 2 with new episodes. Still, the concept is clever enough to keep me entertained watching the same episodes again, even if the overall plot is basic, and the lead wasn't always likeable. Being able to comiserate with her is much more important than liking her.

The soundtrack is great too. It's been a while since I wanted to download a song from a drama and "If I could read your mind" was as addictive as this drama. I loved how the soundtrack complimented the cuteness of the cell world without being too cheesy or childish. I love when constantly repeated songs make me excited and not annoyed while watching.

Overall, don't let the cartoon characters fool you. This isn't a Korean "Inside Out". This is a grown up drama about how crazy love can feel on the inside. It's cute, it's sad, it's infuriating, It's hilarious. I would definitely still consider this a light hearted drama, with nothing in the story that's too heavy, although some of the most entertaining parts may have you reflecting deeply. I never cried, but I laughed and cringed a lot. It's not a typical RomCom, so some people may be disappointed by the milder chemistry between the leads, but with the cells taking the lead I didn't miss any chemistry, and they definitely felt like a very realistic couple. I was more rooting for Yumi's growth than chemistry. I also prefer the awkward and realistic relationship plot vs the idealistic love story plot that's the romcom norm. I'm curious about the webtoon but I'm also too afraid to spoil season 2 to check it out just yet. I highly recommend Yumi's Cells as perfect to binge, especially since these are really bite sized episodes within episodes that keep the drama moving at a great pace. I'm really looking forward to seeing this same cast again (yes, even Go Eun, and especially Woong.) a rare k drama treat... while hopefully dodging spoilers from the webtoon and it's fans. I can just imagine my inner cells grabbing popcorn and planning a watch huge party in anticipation of season 2!

Leia Mais

She fell in love like rain falls while the sun is shining

Don't get mistaken, the headline doesn't spoil any plot but the feeling of this series itself. Yes, it does feel like a sunshower. Yumi, just like any young adult, has her own routine. All the feelings that appear since episode 1 of this drama must feel like something strange to her routine, as so many feelings fall once at a time showering her without notice.

I myself have not read the webtoon yet but I had no problem adjusting to this new storytelling style changing real quick from real people to cartoons. Instead, I find it really entertaining. The animator and dubber had made the cell characters alive to the point that I feel like I belong with them. I must say that they give me a great sense of belonging to myself as well. It's like seeing the "whole" me loving and taking care of myself each and every day, no matter what happens to me.

What is unique from this FL is that I feel no similarity between me and Yumi, our preference for men doesn't match as well, yet she is so relatable. The cells don't just tell us what happens but show us. They even show us why and how everything happens.

Hence, I don't really recommend you to watch it with any expectation of what comes next. Instead, use this opportunity to dare yourself to get out of your comfort zone to see something new, feel something strange, and finally feel a deeper connection with yourself once again.

Leia Mais

Mostly watched this for Kim Go Eun and I have no regrets. This wasn’t the best drama by any means, but the realistic take on relationships is quite nice since it’s so unique to kdramas. I still prefer my over-the-top “you are my everything” kdrama romances, but this drama was a nice change of pace. Although I’m not the person to go for slice-of-life dramas like this since I have a tendency to get bored as soon as the leads get together in the drama, Yumi’s cells stayed pretty interesting throughout its 14 episodes. I don’t think the ending was anybody’s favorite, but I look forward to a second season to watch Yumi mature and find new romances. (I totally spoiled myself before the drama even aired but what else is new)

Leia Mais

From the beginning I was rooting for Yumi and throughout the show I could really relate to her. Even if the situations she was in hadn't happened to me before, I could just empathize with how she was feeling and everything. One of the best things about the show (and I think what really makes it special/worth watching) is the cells and how they offer so much insight into Yumi and Woong. Plus, they are SO cute and entertaining and really just make sense, like how one cell gets bigger in the New Year, when a person makes a New Year's resolution.

Yumi's prime cell, the one that really defines her is the Love Cell, and I really related to how she put her partner first and prioritized him. But when Yumi and Woong had their first fight, I was so proud of her for putting herself first and speaking her mind because that is so important.

The show made me feel so many emotions. It was more a slice of life show than a traditional romance kdrama which I wasn't expecting, but it doesn't get boring because the cells are so entertaining and they really make the show. You see the characters as they go through everyday life, like going on their first trip together and the conflicts that arise from just doing normal things. And when they encounter issues in their relationship, it was all so realistic, like having miscommunications and not being honest with each other.

Maybe this is a spoiler but don't expect a "happy ending".
I haven't read the webtoon before, so the ending came out of left field for me but I think they are going to be multiple seasons for Yumi's Cells so I get it, I do. Despite knowing that now, it does feel tough to end the first season like this. Initially when I saw Woong, I wasn't even attached to him and their first date was so awkward and terrible.... it was like the worst first date ever. But then he really grew on me and they were a really cute couple. I liked how his cells and the way that his inner city was built was so different from Yumi's and reflected his personality and the way that he thought and processed things.

I'm really rooting for Yumi and her happiness.
All the feels.

Leia Mais

Ordinary story. They showed a very ordinary life with day to day activities. Yu mi is so much an ordinary woman. She has no spaciality. I personally did not like Yu Mi's hair style, makeover and costumes.
On the other hand Woong is a more interesting character. He is parsuiting his dream. But Yu mi is also trying to earn money with her dream. Woong's costumes were funny. It was new to watch a kdrama male lead wearing casual clothes in stead of suits.
Animation was good but the way the cells talk it was like they were talking about a different human. But they were Yu Mi's own cell's - they are Yu Mi themselves.

Leia Mais

The first romcom on MDL, that I gave a rating of a 10 to! BTW, I loved the ending!

Don't let the title or drama photo confuse you, as this drama is actually pretty great. At first I thought this drama was going to be a cutesy, unrelatable, immature romcom. However, Yumi's cells is not your typical K-drama, as it is realistic in almost every way possible. Honestly, it felt like this drama was made specifically for me, as I am going through the same thing as Yumi. I am in my 30's like Yumi, haven't dated in over 3 years like Yumi, work-work-work-work like Yumi, and someone is interested in my like someone was interested in Yumi, but I'm hesitant just like Yumi, and have so many questions and doubts just like Yumi. What's so fascinating is my emotions and reactions to the romantic scenes are the exact emotions and reactions that Yumi cells have, almost 5 seconds after I have mine. For example, I did a fist pump after something good happened during episode 3, literally seconds later, Yumi cells did the same thing lol. I really love the concept of how the cells/hormones for different emotions and functions in our bodies are expressed in both Yumi and the male lead, as they are dating and going through everyday life. That lust cell is real though, meaning I have to fight that urge too lol. In this drama the lust cell is super relatable, as is the rest of the cells lol (see episode 4). I am currently on episode 6, and I look forward to watching the rest of the episodes.

I've come to realize something about myself. If I ever feel or think a man is making me compete with another woman, I'd drop the relationship even if I really care about him. Someone who you are in a relationship with should never compete for your time, attention, and affection. After what happened in episode 8, it would probably be the end of my relationship with the male lead character, if I were Yumi. I 'ain't' dealing with catty women, or another woman, trying to gain my boyfriend's attention. If he doesn't handle it, I'd say bye to him too.

At the beginning of episode 9 (the first 4 minutes) the male lead gaslighted Yumi. He tried to say that he didn't tell Yumi that his ex crush and current coworker lives in his building and stops by to borrow stuff, because it would make her sensitive, like how she was being "sensitive," at the moment he got caught. She wasn't being sensitive but rather is upset at the fact that he lied and deceived her. For goodness sake he dodged her request to come over for over two weeks. He thought lying and deceiving her was better for her, then giving her a heads up that the girl who he used to like, and currently work with everyday, now lives in his building. I wouldn't trust him either. This man is more toxic than her ex boyfriend. At least her ex-boyfriend was upfront about his douchebag behavior, but this one is pretending to be a victim.

During episode 9 around the 10 minute mark when he said that he was taking care of it (meaning, handling his co-workers affection for him), he said he's doing it in a way that would not make anyone feel uncomfortable. BRUH! Why does he care if someone who he is not in a relationship with, but knows that he is in a relationship but still persist in flirting with him, is comfortable? Why would he risk Yumi's comfortability level for someone else? To make sure his girlfriend (Yumi) is comfortable, he should definitely make another girl uncomfortable by telling her TO LEAVE HIM ALONE (very sternly).

During episode 10 around the 52 minute mark, Yumi's childish behavior starts to get on my nerves. Her boyfriend wasn't putting her down but giving her his honest opinion in a respectful way. She asked for it, and if she didn't like the answer, she could have said "I don't like your answer, but I appreciate your honesty." This man ain't a genie in a bottle.

During episode 12 (the first 8 minutes), I can understand why Yumi would ask that specific question. Nevertheless, I can also understand why the male lead character did not respond right away. Typically, men like to get their self settled financially, and typically, women don't care if the person that she's dating is settled as long as she loves him, and she feels taken care of emotionally.

Episode 13 (at the 36 minute mark) - It was at that moment when she realized that he wasn't who she thought he was. How many of us, have had those kinds of moments? I used to think to myself, did I really know him (who was I dating/in a relationship with)? Was I in love with him, or who I wanted him to be? Like dang, how could I miss the red flags!

I have one episode left. I hope that they break up, as the male lead isn't ready for a romantic relationship. He always put himself first, not once did he put anyone including God before himself, and most importantly his communication is horrible, for a romantic relationship. Yumi put him first up until the side-chick/friendship incident. In episode 13, I just found out that Yumi didn't know that the male lead liked his ex-colleague/friend. For some reason I thought that Yumi knew that, but she had to find out by overhearing two people who she didn't know speak about it. At this point, I hope her and her manager get together. He seems like he would be a better fit.

I freaking loved the ending. I can give you more reasons why the female lead and male lead shouldn't be together, as opposed to the reasons why they should. I actually don't think that this drama needs a second season. I think if it's not done right then it would ruin the credibility of the first season. Since there will be a second season, in the second season Yumi should date her manager, and the male lead should date his ex colleague/crush. Please don't have the female and male lead get together in the second season, keep that for the third season. The male lead should date someone who is just like him in the second season (meaning someone who put themselves first when in a relationship), so that he can understand what Yumi went through when dating him. Was the male lead a nice person? Overall, yes, but nice people can also be unkind. Niceness doesn't equate to kindness.

BTW, in addition to being a talented actress, the lead actress who plays Yumi is gorg.... (gorgeous).

Leia Mais

Beautiful story

Honestly so far I been loving the story so much! ?☺️ I think it’s because of two reasons it contains animations and the couple it’s really relatable. Every episode I’ll either be laughing my ass off or grinning like an idiot. I honestly wasn’t going to give a try since the male lead is been only evil characters before but ngl in this drama he is a cute pie and don’t get me started with yumi she’s so cute and an overthinker like me lmao. This drama hasn’t been completed but honestly so far is really good. I recommend it 100 percent ❤️ I’ll be back once it’s over airing.

Leia Mais

Great Cells, mediocre everything else.

You know the storyline is in trouble when the writers revert to poop jokes like five year olds...
I know this is a favourite of many, and it broke my heart a bit to drop it because the cells really were fantastic and if they had their own show I'd love it! But unfortunately, the cells were never meant to be the main characters of this drama, it's a love story between two flesh and blood people and it isn't a very interesting one. We have misunderstanding after misunderstanding, an Evil Other Woman and of course, the famous poop humour. All these "delights" can take up half an episode, and that just makes the overly long episodes seem even longer.
No show can survive on only a cute gimmick, there has to be good writing involved. Sadly, the writers concentrated too much on good lines for the little cells, and the main couple was left with second hand scraps. And that's my cue to run far away from this drama.

Leia Mais

selesai namatin sebuah drama, gue selalu me-recall lagi kira-kira cerita kayak apasih yang disampaikan oleh drama itu. kalau dilihat secara keseluruhan, sebenernya yumi cell itu bercerita tentang kisah orang pacaran uwu uwu gemesh doang gaksii?? cuma gatau kenapa, pas nontonnya tuh kayak--ya, enjoy aja gitu.

mungkin alasan utamanya adalah karena drama ini membawa pembaharuan yang super freshhhh. siapa sangka penambahan animasi dalam drama bisa se-smooth ini dan menambah nilai 'enjoyable'nya. walapun kadang suka mikir; ini dalam menentukan sebuah aksi yang mau dilakukan, kok sel-selnya selalu ribut lama bet yak wakakakak. selain itu, drama ini juga cukup konsisten dengan judulnya, yaitu yumi cells alias sel-selnya yumi. kalau dilihat lagi secara keseluruhan, drama ini emang ner-bener cuma menceritakan si yumi doang yang disajikan secara apik dengan narasi sudut pandang orang pertama. pemeran-pemeran lain (termasuk woong) juga jadi cuma tokoh sampingan doang.

kalau soal plot cerita--karena drama ini mengangkat kisah slice of life--jadi interpretasi setiap orang bisa berbeda-beda, bergantung sama ideologi yang dianut, pengetahuan, juga pengalaman si penonton. buat gue sendiri, nonton yumi cell ini berasa ngaca banget. permasalahan yang dia hadepin juga mostly pernah--atau mungkin bakal gue hadepi, ya walopun ngga gitu-gitu amat si. selain itu tokoh-tokoh yang lainnya juga keliatan alami, persis kaya orang-orang yang emang ada di lingkungan.

perkara acting mah ngga usah ditanya yak, yang main veteran semua ini. gue aja ampe lupa sama 'karakter lain' yang sebelumnya diperankan oleh aktor/aktrisnya. rambutnya yumi juga super gemash. ostnya uga enak semuaaaa apalagi holiday sama ling ling xixixi <3

menurut gue, yumi cell ini termasuk ke dalam best rom-com tahun ini.

Leia Mais

Good Enough

Korean Drama 'Yumi's Cells' combines masterfully animation with a fluffy and yet realistic love story.

The animation, first of all, was a hit or miss, and they did a great job creating this fun atmosphere that was both funny and necessary for giving an insight to the characters' thoughts and what motivated them to act as they did.

In addition, the love story was pretty sweet, with plenty of cute moments and a realistic outcome, that, however, will probably be better resolved in the second season. The whole drama of the love story was nicely embedded to the progress of the relationship and it was pretty realistic.

Finally, the performances were all great and the animation well made.

So, overall, 8.5 out of 10.

Leia Mais

A study of why relationships can fail . .

Yumi is sleepwalking through her life into her 30s after a romantic betrayal. A series of events causes her to wake up and try again, and there is an addictive quality of wanting to see her succeed at last.

This addictive quality is also due to the 'roller-coaster,' action staged inner life inspired by Pixar's Inside Out. The Bond/action movie dramas of Yumi's interior feelings create more adrenaline to the situation, then this ordinary life and romance would inspire on its own.

The conflicts over pride, money, showing your vulnerabilities, ambiguous boundaries with friends and co-workers etc. are what make the show unique, these are the ordinary fights we've all had instead of the extraordinary larger than life conflicts in your normal Kdrama. But, this is also what holds this drama back, the determination to review over and over smaller, quiet dramas just between two people, prevents the show from truly lingering. .

Music was fine and certain scenes are such a good encapsulation of a first date, or a first fight that they are worthy of rewatch.

I also grade on other criteria:

Complex themes: 7.5
This is a character study of what prevents two, ordinary people, good looking, intelligent, nice from finding romantic relationships. Mainly, the inability to risk, be vulnerable, or show true feelings.

Complex Characters/Development: 9.5
Here, this show really shines, illustrating that surface human behaviors that we find so frustrating come from a very complex emotional and psychological inner self. Yumi also shows growth as she realizes that her past relationship has clouded her ability to commit in the present. The character of Sae-yi was truly exciting to see, a type of personality and friendship we often see in real life (encouraging dependency and discouraging growth and independence).

Relationships between Women: 7.0
Yumi is not fundamentally close to any of her peers, and keeps them at a distance which means she has some competitive and a bit catty friends from university/growing up and some kind fun to hang out with co-workers. She doesn't have an in-depth relationship with her mother and appears to have no siblings. The show really falls down on this point, though it may be realistic.

Cinematography/Production: 8.5
The inner feelings drama was cute and well done, and the film had a soft, indie feel to it that suited the show. The clothes and surroundings were all very realistic, and there were some artistic flourishes that mimicked the emotions that were concerning the characters.

Leia Mais