Drama Digest
Frustrated at work, Seon Ah Young decides to call quits and take a trip anywhere. Ah Young excelled in-game character development, but when the situation at her work got too stressful, she left on short notice. An anonymous person recommended her to ‘Sky Garden Guest House’ while looking for places to visit. Searching for the guest house, she entered a midnight cafe in Busan Sanbokdo. Surprisingly, she meets her mother, Kyung Sun, and her childhood friend, Hyun Jin, from the past. Later it is revealed that Cha Jun Gi, the guest house owner, recommended her the place. Soon they find comfort in each other amidst life lessons and more.
The Feel-Good Part
The lightness and mystical ambiance of the drama nurture the romantic and nostalgic elements beautifully. It garments an aura of understanding when life feels messy.
The Disappointing Factor
The story needed a bit of polishing to convey the emotions. It carries an unnecessary emptiness in between.
In-Depth Analysis
Compared to ‘Cafe Midnight Season 1’, this one carries a lighter tone which gradually transforms into a heavier one towards the ending. But it is not that boring. The concept of giving it a fantasy oeuvre paves the way to the philosophical point of view of life. Different perspectives and lessons blend with the past, which helps the protagonist find new meanings in the context of her abrupt escapism. Ah Young’s sudden gesture of handing her resignation is symbolic of an emerging generation who takes refuge in escaping when life feels too heavy. Instead of fighting back, running away or leaving seems facile and a sign of relief from the burdening frustrations. Yet a calm mind and a look into the past eventually help Ah Young remind who she is. Those stories and understanding help her elucidate certain ungoverned things. It might be a dramatic resemblance of parents saying that in their time, things were hard, but they fought and emerged.
Nonetheless, the change in time and space is portrayed through this. It helps put the past and present under the same lens and convey the differences it holds in today’s world. The drama might get predictable at its onset, but the unpredictability gives it another plus point. The illumination of pretty minimalistic shots highlights the cinematography’s beauty. It enhances the cheerful tone. It adds to the serene nature the drama carries.
Star Power
Yoon Bora captured Seon Ah Young’s unkempt life in a unique tone. She put the character in place by not overacting or underacting. As Cha Jun Gi, Shin Yoon Seop performed well, carrying his actions as fluidly as possible through the drama. Thanks to Shin Joo Hwan, everything fell in place through the Cafe Master’s pleasant presence. The supporting cast put an applauding performance in holding the drama’s essence.
Overall Opinion
Even without the first season, this one is coherent. But for better reception, watch the first one. Nevertheless, if you’re vibing a rainy afternoon dipped in warm coffee. It could be a beautiful match.
