Meu Mafioso Predileto (2024)

This is mostly my thought on everything that I didn't like, still a good show though!

I wish the female lead had more opportunities to stand up for herself. I get the feeling that she's written to be a strong female lead in terms of mindset, but for whatever reason, she never says anything when it matters. There were several opportunities for her to say something but she never does. One thing I need to mention, something that I hate, is when a female lead buts into a situation that, on every level, does not concern her, but there are genuinely scenes that have everything to do with the male lead and since they're dating it involves her too. That's your man girl, step up! I always think the same thing when it comes to the female lead getting to know the male leads friends, but I think it's important to put in scenes of the other male leads going out of their way to help and protect her instead of doing it simply because their hyung-nim said they should. It's clear that the relationship she has with the other boys is barely memorable, I think it would've been easy to add scenes where she gets along with them separately instead of all together. I hate the second male lead. he is so incredibly insufferable that he becomes a literal wedge on the main lead's relationship. if the female lead can't reach out her hand to the male lead when he's hurting simply because the second male lead is holding her back, whether that is literally or figuratively, she shouldn't be dating the male lead to begin with. How can you call it love when it's easy for a supporting character to stop you from reaching out. Another thing that I dislike, is her lack of friends. I mean like girl-friends. This girl has one best friend who keeps things from her and tells her to break-up with her loving boyfriend because he used to be a gangster and them in the same sentence will mention the fact that she's dating a man who works for that ex-gangster. like girl you are carrying his child, you have no room to talk. Things that I did like about this show was the way that the main lead's relationship never had issues that lasted more than an episode. Since they started dating, they have never let anything wedge itself to deep that they stopped talking to each other. I really enjoys the two side romances even though one of them can hardly be considered one. I hate the third female leads bs about knowing a guy for longer. She runs on the same physiology that second male leads in other dramas do, the 'I'll wait until you guys break up to get my chance'. The show never discusses how much of a bitch she'd been to the female lead, but just kinda expects us to understand where she's coming from. I notice this habit amongst a lot of newer k-dramas since a little before covid-19 where instead of writing the main characters or simply just the female lead to be relatable, they try and force everyone in the cast to be. At first this was nice, it was a way to convey that everyone has a story. However, the more dramas that have come out the more it felt like they were telling us to always take shit from people, because you have no idea what they're going through and the female lead who was once a relatable character becomes this angel of a character that always forgives and forgets. The final thing I can mention that grinds my gears a little is the trope of 'Oh actually we've known each other since birth'. at first I thought the plot point would come up to be an important part of the story, but it's just a reason to have the female lead and second male lead to meet each other and develop a relationship outside of just a victim/witness and Prosecutor. It adds nothing to the male leads relationship with his father or the life he lived after meeting the female lead again. I wish they could have added an info dump at least saying how big the disparity was between his life before and after being caught. but he's just a pawn for the Female lead's childhood. I really appreciated that most of the show is about the guys. I like the fact that it's always been them and they have each other's backs and that they are closer with the male lead in terms of their life before meeting the female lead. The female lead is of course an important person to the male lead, but he's got his homies, you know. The side romance was a little annoying at first, but it gets cuter after they clear the misunderstanding and secrets, which just goes to show how annoying and unnecessary a misunderstanding is. Although it feels anticlimactic, the relationship the male lead has with his father is really refreshing. Sometimes you can never sever the relationships with your parents no matter how awful they are. There are some parents that absolutely hate their children and will treat them like shit for no reason, but then there are parents who put their kids through hard times, because they think they know what's best for them. I think the relationship in this show was the latter of the two. It nice to see a son who still cares for their father protect them even after trying to sever all ties. That being said, his father is shit and he deserves the death penalty simply for being an awful parent. I really like the concept of the male lead being a sweetheart when he's drunk and that he's a lightweight, I wish they added more of that, and maybe it's because I grew up ready nasty Wattpad stories that I was kinda hoping for the leader of a gang and angel of a woman relationship and not the ex-con making a better life for himself and everyone else around him and the girl that is willing to except the changes for the better. I wanted more fighting, part of me also wanted her to get kidnapped(sorry, not sorry). I think they tried to shove the ending all into one episode so they had enough time to make a cute chiller episode, but it definitely isn't unwelcomed. I appreciate having a whole episode of pure joy!

Leia Mais

Forget Your Comfort Dramas, This is the Real Deal

Just finished *My Sweet Mobster* and wow, what a delightful treat! I’m seriously over the moon about this drama. I can't help but gush because it’s everything I’ve been craving in a romcom and more. I mean, when was the last time a show made me laugh out loud while also giving me those warm, fuzzy feelings?

I have to admit, I’ve watched *Strong Woman Do Bong Soon* a whopping eight times, and I’m not done yet. It’s like my comfort food of dramas—always there to lift my spirits. Now, *My Sweet Mobster* has just entered my life, and it’s got a solid spot in my “must-rewatch” lineup. If you’re a fan of *Strong Woman Do Bong Soon*, *Fight for My Way*, or *Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo*, trust me, this show is right up your alley.

The story is such a joyride: a former gangster turned soft-hearted CEO running a company full of ex-cons? Yes, please! Add in a bubbly, kind-hearted YouTube content creator, and you’ve got a recipe for pure drama magic. Seo Ji Hwan’s transformation from a tough mobster to a swoon-worthy romantic is nothing short of enchanting. And Han Sun Hwa as Go Eun Ha? She’s absolutely endearing—cute and strong, the perfect balance!

The cinematography is spot-on, creating a vibrant and engaging visual experience. The scenes are beautifully shot, with a perfect balance of cozy, lighthearted moments and more intense, dramatic sequences. The way they capture the charmingly awkward interactions between the leads adds so much to the overall feel of the show. And let’s not forget the thoughtful use of color and light that highlights the mood of each scene, making every episode a visual treat.

The OST deserves a shoutout too! The soundtrack is a delightful mix of catchy, upbeat tracks and sweet, romantic tunes that enhance every moment. The opening song gets you pumped and ready for the fun, while tracks like "Ring My Heart" by Kim Pureum give me butterflies every time I hear it. It’s such a beautiful, emotional song that perfectly encapsulates the heartwarming essence of the drama. The music complements the scenes so well, making the viewing experience even more enjoyable.

The side characters are a riot, too, especially the Thirsty Deer gang. They bring so much comic relief and charm that they could have their own spin-off. And let’s not forget the adorable Bulldog—though, seriously, he deserves an indoor spot!

The conflicts are genuine, the friendships are heartfelt, and the romance is the sweetest thing ever. I’m already looking forward to rewatching this gem again and again. If you’re in the mood for something that feels like a big, warm hug with a sprinkle of comedy and a dash of heart, *My Sweet Mobster* is your next binge-worthy find. Can’t wait to revisit it many times in the future!

Leia Mais

Cringy but addictive

You just need to make it past the first few episodes as they have the most cringe worthy moments but after that, romance away.

Im glad i did stay the course as it was a beautifully paced romance. Unlike other reviews, i did feel the chemistry between the leads, subtle and simmering in line with their characters. I loved both of them and their performances and the storyline.

It was enjoyable not having a toxic female or male competition, the triangles werent ott or vicious and it didnt dominate the story either. In fact the side male lead turned into a good gent as it goes.

The side leads, they were awesome!! At points i felt they stole the show, soo funny and great parts. The romantic in me would love to have seen em all romanced off however that didnt fit their roles.

Overall, aside from cringe parts, i throughly enjoyed it and binged till it was done, swooned and felt happy at the end.

Leia Mais

Perfect balance of drama, action, and humor, a fresh (iced) take on the mobster genre.

Blends romance, action, and a big touch of comedy, offering a good story about love and life within the dangerous world of organized crime. A must-watch for fans of romance K-dramas, with compelling characters and a captivating story.
We know it's a comedy and expected a happy ending. It's a hart warming kdrama especially because of good acting Main and support. Light-hearted moments and witty dialogue provide balance, preventing the series from becoming too dark. it's a really good balance of drama, action, and humor.

The FL portrays the innocent woman with charm and depth. The ML brings intensity and nuance to the mobster character (of course, his voice is perfect!)
Supporting Cast gives a strong performance, I liked the mobster’s loyal sidekick, the love triangle and the FL's best friend, they offer both comic relief and dramatic tension.
The chemistry between the leads is palpable. Also the ML clearly shows his 2 sides, how he can be a badass but also a cute lover (quite funny to see this actor's penguin side).
Well-choreographed fight scenes and tense moments! It's still a ganster Kdrama setting. But filming and story are dynamic, capturing both the gritty underworld and the softer, romantic moments.
Overall, I think "My Sweet Mobster" successfully blends romance and action, offering a fresh take on the mobster genre.

Leia Mais

Nothing could prepare me for this!!!

I just finished watching this drama. Not even an hour has passed and im reliving all the episodes in my mind. The ML, the FL and the entire cast did an amazing job in this spectacular story.

This story really is just beautiful and though it isnt very "serious" it still shares some important messages about making mistakes and how change sometimes is and isnt possible.

I still cant get over how many cringy moments this drama had but i was still hooked.

The thing i loved most had to be how communication played a key role in this drama. Not a lot of miscommunication and NO breakups 💃🏽.

Just go ahead and start this drama, you wont regret it one bit, at least i didn't 🤗

Leia Mais

Ji Hwan Y Dangerously

Making a reference to a forty year old movie is probably not the ideal method of appealing to the younger demographic on MDL. Perhaps something iconic like "Breakfast Club" or "Beverly Hills Cop" would spark the right nostalgic vibe. But a forgettable, middling, sophomoric mess? Terrible idea but here goes anyway.

"Johnny Dangerously" was a 1984 movie meant to capitalize on the emerging stardom of a young Michael Keaton who had just exploded as a comedic star after back-to-back hits in "Night Shift" and "Mr. Mom". Pairing Keaton with Amy Heckerling, the Greta Gerwig of the 80's who established herself with the scintillating "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" should have been a can't miss project. It was a massive failure though. Probably because the concept was a parody of the incredible mafia movies of Coppola and Polanski. "Johnny Dangerously" was both a critical and popular bomb.

"My Sweet Mobster" encounters some of the same problems. Meant to be a comedy starring a zoot suited gangster that meets the girl of his dreams and wants to do right by his family, both start strong and score genuinely funny moments. And both don't really know what to do beyond lampooning the tough guy stereotype. Once the joke about the gangster not being such a big, tough, heartless guy, but a kindhearted softie gets played a few times, there's got to be somewhere else to go. It's fun at first. The more chaotic and frenzied it is, the more at ease Han Sun Hwa is. And Uhm Tae Goo is legit a delight as the flummoxed suitor. And Im Chul Soo takes his nemesis to an absurdly sketch comedy level. But at some point, "My Sweet Mobster" can't squeeze any more gags out of the cute, awkward gangster likes the bubbly kids streamer. And the options are:

1. Cut it short. The big secret gets revealed. Happy embraces. Roll credits. But it's a 16 episode contract, so this is a not an option.

2. Keep going back to same well. This was the route taken by "Johnny Dangerously" and it did not work.

3. Revert to stock drama storylines. Triangles. Hospitals. Roadtrips. This is where "My Sweet Mobster" goes and while it's not entirely unpleasant, it goes exactly to the exact destination and along the exact route in the exact manner as any regular viewer of k dramas can expect. Which is unfortunate because the two leads had a lot of promise if they had just avoided doing exactly the usual, typical, same ol', same ol' familiar stuff. It's also just a drag to go from light, fun romance with a supporting cast of fairly lovable goofballs to family angst and corporate & legal melodrama.

4. What could have worked was investing more screen time in the aforementioned supporting cast. Kim Hyun Jin isn't going to win any awards (see my review for "Peng" where he was one of the four horsemen of the borepocalypse) but the one night stand with Moon Ji In that becomes something more is terrific. And there are hints of other potential subplots with Moon Dong Hyuk with Song Seo Rin and Kwon Yool with Shin Soo Hyun (like repeated, explicitly telegraphed, unmistakeable flashing lights saying "LOOK AT THESE TWO. RIGHT HERE. THAT GUY. WITH THAT WOMAN. THEY'RE GONNA BE A THING. JUST WAIT.") Do these go anywhere? No. Foreshadowing with a payoff? When there's sixteen hour long episodes to insert said payoff? If drama malpractice was a felony, this crew would be behind bars for a long time. Then there's the backstory for Park Jae Chan and his first love? It's there but to what end? None that makes any sense other than make life more miserable for Ji Hwan. And the most endearing of the supporting characters, Yang Hyun Min's Jae Soo, gets used for cheap laughs, reduced to a plot device to set up a final conflict and transformed in to a blubbering weakling.

Had these supporting characters been given meaningful and fully explored subplots in a more ensemble style show, "My Sweet Mobster" could have been a massively charming and entertaining watch. It's still good but it simply can't turn a cheeky, cute romance in to a riveting sixteen episode run.

Recommended but with cautions that it will get frustrating to watch. Perhaps if it had a love broker* though...

*see Michael Keaton in "Night Shift"

Leia Mais

My Sweet Ex-Mobster

Como as imagens promocionais e a sinopse vende um drama romcom exagerado e infantil, foi isso mesmo que entregaram! Ri muito nos primeiros episódios, o fato dele ter se apaixonado por ela a primeira vista e seus caminhos se entrelaçarem de maneira divertida e vergonhosa foi muito bom. O dorama tem todo plot de romcom, amor de infância, cenas fofas e bregas, embustes querendo separar os protas, quase morte perto do final, tudo que no fundo amamos haha. Casal secundário, superam minhas expectativas, saindo do habitual, maravilhosos. Os amigos deles todos uns queridos, amei todas as cenas deles juntos aprontando!

Leia Mais

good for teenagers!

Imagine a bunch of ex-gangsters, all over 30, all virgins (except one), living together... The concept is good, though, former mobsters facing the difficulties of rehab. It's supposed to be comical, but in fact it's comical for children or teenagers, it's overplayed all the time. The chemistry between the two leads doesn't exist, they don't even touch each other, they look like 10-year-olds.
The underlying plot is not bad, but not present enough.
In short, a "comedy" for teenagers, saved by the casting and the plot.

Imaginez un tas d'anciens gangsters qui ont plus de 30 ans, tous puceaux (sauf un) , qui habitent ensemble...
Pourtant le concept est bien, des repentis qui font face à des difficultés pour se réinsérer.
C'est soi disant comique, mais en fait c'est comique pour des enfants ou des ados, c'est surjoué tout le temps.
L'alchimie entre les deux leads n'existe pas, ils ne se touchent pas, on dirait des enfants de 10 ans, pas plus.
L'intrigue sous-jacente est pas mal mais pas assez présente.
En résumé une "comédie" pour ados, sauvée par le casting et l'intrigue

Leia Mais

The best surprise of the year!!!!

I finished MSM a few days ago, but I miss it already!!!!!! It's a rare gem of the K-drama world in 2024. I loved every minutes of the show, and was very sad, when it comes to the end. I didn't want it to end, I really didn't.... :(
Uhm Tae Goo was a perfect choice for the role of Seo Ji Hwan/Hyeon Woo, both in funny situations and when the situation turned serious he perfectly shaped his character.
I loved all the members of the Thirsty Deer Company, such a lovely team. I would also like to work in such a team/company :) These "bad guys" were so adorable, and the series itself.
The characters of the female leads were well written, in the most cases they weren't too much or annoying, just lovable and cute. The balance was there throughout this series and the characters were constantly developing.
MSM made me laugh many times, it's been a long time since I've laughed so much at a series. The mobster storyline and the action scenes were also very exciting and enjoyable.
My favorite loveline was the relationship between Il Yeong and Mi Ho.
The OST is beautiful and heartwarming. I loved everything in MSM, the storyline, the music, the actors and actresses, all the funny scenes and the MESSAGE of the show.!!!!!! I will definitely rewatch My Sweet Mobster!!
This show is my Sweetie Pie!!! 10/10

Leia Mais