I've been waiting to see the beautiful Seo Ji Hye in a leading role in a series. So far it's a fresh and different enough show that has surprising and spontaneous humor. The chemistry between her and Song Seung Heon is good and that is what counts. They look good together. She plays a TV producers who is dumped and he plays a psychiatrist. Food is a theme. CLOY fans will be happy to see a cameo from Kim Jung Hyun aka Alberto Gu. A couple of faults. The contrived obstacles and obsessive exes get repetitive. 12 episodes would have sufficed.
16 Reviews
Korean telenovela :)
GaBerlinn10 November 2020
Well, I'm at the last episodes of this k-drama which made me laugh many many times. And towards the end i'm laughing about the ridiculously melodramatic situations. They have probably all the cliches of traditional k-dramas, but since I was watching so good ones, this is quite new. But also very relaxing. They are suffering, and I'm laughing at loud. But it is ok, it is also what I need now.
So, if you need a Korean telenovela, this is your show.
Important to say is, that I can continue watching and in this way enjoying the show because of the good acting, nice clothes and perfect skins :) So, as I say, all the cliches together.
And I'm writting this with a smile in my face: so, 'Dinner Mate'.... mission accomplished!
Welcome to a Korean telenovela !
GaBerlinn17 November 2020
Well, I'm at the last episodes of this k-drama which made me laugh many many times. And towards the end i'm laughing about the ridiculously melodramatic situations. They have probably all the cliches of traditional k-dramas, but since I was watching so good ones, this is quite a new sensation. But also very relaxing. They are suffering, and I'm laughing at loud. But it is ok, it is also what I need now.
So, if you need a Korean telenovela, this is your show.
Important to say is, that I can continue watching and in this way enjoying the show because of the good acting, nice clothes and perfect skins :) So, as I say, all the cliches together.
And I'm writting this with a smile in my face: so, 'Dinner Mate'.... mission accomplished!
Thoughtful romance drama
alternate_6 January 2022
It's a fresh and innovative take on romance and relationships in current times. The drama also emphasises mental health issues and different ways that one can cope with the stigma and repercussions surrounding it. The note is upbeat even when something disconcerting happens, keeping the undertone of the drama in mind, which is light-hearted romance.
GREAT DRAMA/ENDING WEAK
jacotl27 September 2020
THE DRAMA WAS GREAT, THE CAST DID EXCELLENT IN THE ROLES .SEO JI-HYE , ONCE AGAIN MISSED ALOT OF THE SUBTITLES CAUSE I COULD NOT KEEP MY EYES OFF YOU. DAM, GIRL, YOUR A BEAUTY!!!!! But the story kinda nosed dived after ep 14.
I told you that every ending is the same, but you told me that some endings can be different. I want to believe that it's true.
hanalisss18 November 2023
Dinner Mate serves up a delectable blend of heartwarming romance and genuine humor, making it a standout Korean drama that's sure to captivate audiences. With a unique premise centered around the therapeutic power of shared meals, this series explores the complexities of relationships with a refreshing approach.
At the heart of the drama are the compelling performances of Song Seung-heon and Seo Ji-hye, whose on-screen chemistry is nothing short of enchanting. The slow-burning romance between their characters unfolds with authenticity, drawing viewers into a narrative filled with unexpected twists and emotional resonance.
It has ability to balance romance with themes of friendship and self-discovery. The supporting cast contributes significantly to the storytelling, adding layers of depth and relatability to the characters. The drama navigates the intricacies of relationships, offering a realistic portrayal of the highs and lows that viewers can easily connect with.
The cinematography captures the vibrancy of Seoul, creating a visually stunning backdrop for the unfolding drama. Each scene, whether set in cozy restaurants or bustling streets, adds to the overall aesthetic appeal, enhancing the viewer's experience.
Overall it is a nice watch, clocking in at just the right length, the drama leaves viewers craving more while providing a delightful and memorable journey through the complexities of love and connection.
At the heart of the drama are the compelling performances of Song Seung-heon and Seo Ji-hye, whose on-screen chemistry is nothing short of enchanting. The slow-burning romance between their characters unfolds with authenticity, drawing viewers into a narrative filled with unexpected twists and emotional resonance.
It has ability to balance romance with themes of friendship and self-discovery. The supporting cast contributes significantly to the storytelling, adding layers of depth and relatability to the characters. The drama navigates the intricacies of relationships, offering a realistic portrayal of the highs and lows that viewers can easily connect with.
The cinematography captures the vibrancy of Seoul, creating a visually stunning backdrop for the unfolding drama. Each scene, whether set in cozy restaurants or bustling streets, adds to the overall aesthetic appeal, enhancing the viewer's experience.
Overall it is a nice watch, clocking in at just the right length, the drama leaves viewers craving more while providing a delightful and memorable journey through the complexities of love and connection.
Great one
xwbrksfm11 July 2023
For me, this was the first kdrama after a while that made me cry while finishing it. It was so good, i just love the couple very much, the female lead was the star of the show. Her acting was incredible, her character in the drama. Oh! I just love woo do hee so much, she was funny, fresh, full of life, made me laugh so much, her face expressions and reactions were too cute. I know seo hye ji from crash landing on you, her acting is great in both dramas but here i love woo doo hee more than seo dan. The other cast was good too. I loved when they showed a mental illness and how to deal with it. I can't forget of course the relationship between the dr and the nurse, it was very funny. I highly recommend this drama.
Heart fluttering Rom Com drama
melsa-3292918 July 2020
Worth watching
karenwmc15 July 2020
I didn't expect too much when I started watching the series but I ended up enjoying it very much. I actually looked forward to catching the new episodes every Mondays and Tuesdays. The love story between the 2 leads is heartwarming and the drama deserves higher ratings in my opinion.
Not Good Enough
PennyReviews16 July 2020
" Dinner Mate " started smoothly, but quickly started dragging.
The first few episodes of the drama were interesting. It was a fun ride to watch the main characters meet by chance again and again, but being ignorant of who they were in reality (him being the doctor the girl was trying to track down and her being the broadcasting employee whom he was trying to avoid). That scene with the cheating boyfriend on the island was pure entertainment as well and it gave the couple a solid start. Finally, the female lead was one of the best characters of the drama, as she was unconventional for Korean drama standards, dynamic, strong opinioned, and a delight to watch till the very final episode. In addition, the story of the homeless man and the director of the broadcasting company was quite interesting and sweet.
However, the drama started lagging after those first episodes. It was disappointing to discover that, even though the description and the name itself indicated that the couple will bond over food, there were few to non foodie moments. So why go with that concept if you aren't going to use it? Just say that is about people with exes and emotional problems that heal each other. I mean, I get this is based on a manhwa which probably used the two characters as dinner mates, but the drama did not. Also, speaking about the exes, they were okay at first, but they got way too annoying. In addition, the introduction of them wasn't smooth when it came to the female lead. We first saw her going on a surprise trip, hoping to get proposed by her boyfriend, so she clearly was over her, let's call him main ex. But no, another one was thrown to us out of nowhere. I mean, the male lead was straight forward about his ex girlfriend and his feelings for her. But for the girl, the whole situation was messy. However, that was not the main problem with the exes. It was interesting that they had a background story to boot their motives, but they were way too obsessive, especially the girl's ex, and that got tiring after a while, as she kept telling him that she was over him and he just kept bothering her.
Also, the main romance was boring. They didn't start on romantic premises, which was a relief and refreshing. However, they became a couple a bit too rushly and that did not help with the built-up of the love story. The drama got boring too, as the story repeated cliche trops when it came to the main plot.
So, overall, four out of ten.
The first few episodes of the drama were interesting. It was a fun ride to watch the main characters meet by chance again and again, but being ignorant of who they were in reality (him being the doctor the girl was trying to track down and her being the broadcasting employee whom he was trying to avoid). That scene with the cheating boyfriend on the island was pure entertainment as well and it gave the couple a solid start. Finally, the female lead was one of the best characters of the drama, as she was unconventional for Korean drama standards, dynamic, strong opinioned, and a delight to watch till the very final episode. In addition, the story of the homeless man and the director of the broadcasting company was quite interesting and sweet.
However, the drama started lagging after those first episodes. It was disappointing to discover that, even though the description and the name itself indicated that the couple will bond over food, there were few to non foodie moments. So why go with that concept if you aren't going to use it? Just say that is about people with exes and emotional problems that heal each other. I mean, I get this is based on a manhwa which probably used the two characters as dinner mates, but the drama did not. Also, speaking about the exes, they were okay at first, but they got way too annoying. In addition, the introduction of them wasn't smooth when it came to the female lead. We first saw her going on a surprise trip, hoping to get proposed by her boyfriend, so she clearly was over her, let's call him main ex. But no, another one was thrown to us out of nowhere. I mean, the male lead was straight forward about his ex girlfriend and his feelings for her. But for the girl, the whole situation was messy. However, that was not the main problem with the exes. It was interesting that they had a background story to boot their motives, but they were way too obsessive, especially the girl's ex, and that got tiring after a while, as she kept telling him that she was over him and he just kept bothering her.
Also, the main romance was boring. They didn't start on romantic premises, which was a relief and refreshing. However, they became a couple a bit too rushly and that did not help with the built-up of the love story. The drama got boring too, as the story repeated cliche trops when it came to the main plot.
So, overall, four out of ten.
Seo Ji Hye acting is excellent
ilifvds6 September 2020
My review
deliciouslygood-5609030 July 2020
Must Watch
mayaagustini12 July 2020
At first a bit skeptical with this drama first of but after 5 mins watched i can stop it (lucky me i watched it over weekend)
Storyline was great , but only one thing has irritating me, the X roles has unclear backgrounds even pretty often disturbing the love birds.
The rest all cast play really great act... But in my view chemistry was not strong enough (maybe both main cast has their partners in secret life as most korean start does)
Storyline was great , but only one thing has irritating me, the X roles has unclear backgrounds even pretty often disturbing the love birds.
The rest all cast play really great act... But in my view chemistry was not strong enough (maybe both main cast has their partners in secret life as most korean start does)
Disappointed
EC10_Violation31 July 2020
This drama failed for me, not for the acting and characters but the writing and directing. Seo Ji-Hye coming off her great work in Crash Landing On You felt like she couldn't really show her skills in this piece. Plot seems to be just thrown together.
Excessively longwinded with characters that stick around too long
virginiaumeasiegbu20 December 2023
It's an amazing kdrama UNTIL it's ruined by its excessive lengthiness with unnecessary drama and characters. Instead they should've portrayed different stories with the drama and actually used the time well. Instead they have a psycho ex girlfriends and a PSYCHOTIC ex boyfriend whom, yes cool storyline but after a while you stop watching because it's ridiculous the amount of time spent on the same damn storyline. Honestly. Would've been so much better. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED. They could have made a much better storyline, developed the storyline further to reach the issue with families, maybe even focused more on the romantic relationships brewing with others. Instead they wasted a lot of time and I found myself skipping half episodes because it was dragging on ridiculously. Appalling.
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