Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog (2012)
Grade:
A-
16 Episodes
Viewing Platform: Netflix
Viewing Platform: Netflix
Ex-convict and aspiring young patissier
Go Seung-ji decides to find a new job once he realizes his adopted
grandfather's generosity could very well run the small bakery out of
business. When he finds out the baker's daughter is released from
prison, it finalizes Seung-ji's decision to move out and make room
for the father and daughter to reunite. However, not many businesses
will hire ex-cons. Fortunately for him, Pan Da-yang is out of money
and desperate for a talented patissier to save the small bakery
Da-yang's parents had left her upon their death. Just as Da-yang has
accepted Seung-ji's help, a classmate she hasn't seen since
elementary school arrives on the scene: the tall and handsome Choi
Won-il, the new CEO of the most famous bakery in Korea, ready to
reunite with Da-yang, his first love. Who will Pan Da-yang choose?
What happens when Da-yang and Won-il find out about Seung-ji's time
served in prison? And will Seung-ji, a.k.a. Dochi, ever conquer the
famous bakery that rejected him five years ago?
*Most Kdramas tend to focus on or at
least start from the girl's side of the story, but this drama is more
about Dochi, and he is a very fun, sweet character to get to know.
His whole demeanor is that of an energetic, youthful rascal, an
underdog that will defeat his enemies with sheer skill and
determination, and you can't help but cheer for his success. I didn't
think “hedgehog” was that good of a comparison, though,
especially because he is so vociferously and physically demonstrative
of his love for those in his life. I didn't think the lead girl
really resembled a panda in her demeanor, either. There was a really
interesting mystery woven into the love triangle, though, and that
made this drama really stand out. There is also a great bromance, an
enemy that was truly terrible, and victims that let go of potential
hate and anger from their past and were happy. Overall it's a
positive-feeling show, and although the lead girl isn't my favorite
actress, I'd watch it again.*
