Drama Digest
Kim Dali is studying fine arts as a visiting researcher in Amsterdam. She is the one and only daughter of the Cheongsong family, a prestigious South Korean family who own an Art Museum. She meets Jin Mu Hak due to a misunderstanding. Mu Hak’s family owned a small gamjatang diner which turned into a global restaurant, Dondon F and B. He is now the managing director of the food chain company. Later Dali is forced to leave for South Korea and take over her family Art Museum as her father passes away. The Cheong song Art Museum is in debt, and Jin Mu Hak is the major creditor for it. The plot of Dali and Cocky Prince follows the romance between Dali and Mu Hak, who have different family backgrounds, academics, personalities, tastes, and values.
The Feel-Good Part
The onscreen chemistry between Min Jae and Gyu Young is the show’s greatest strength. The drama has seasoned and experienced actors who don’t give a chance for the audience to complain. All of them have done a fabulous job in owing their character. The sets, costumes, visuals, and cinematography are all aesthetic. The show also has an excellent list of OSTs. Though it is a typical Korean Rom-Com, there are no unwanted stupid misunderstandings in the drama. The show is more focused on the different perspectives of the characters and hence is character-driven. We will fall in love with Hwang Bo Ra as Mu Hak’s secretary and Hwang Hee as Joo Won Tak, a person who remains a brotherly figure to our female lead.
The Disappointing Factor
The script is nothing new to Korean Dramaland. The show is predictable. The first few episodes can feel like they are slow-burn. The plotline becomes depressing with almost all the supporting characters (except very few!), and all kinds of crimes, backstabbing, betrayals, and secrets get revealed. If you are here for a fluffy rom-com, you might as well be disappointed with the later episodes.
In-Depth Analysis
Kim Dali picks up Jin Mu Hak from the airport instead of Jin Hitonari and takes him to attend a VVIP exhibition at the Saint Miller Art Museum. Mu Hak, who was supposed to go to a big farm on business, misunderstands and thinks that he is in the correct place. Dali and Mu Hak develop an unfamiliar bond when they have to share the same roof under unforeseen circumstances. They are sad to say goodbye, and Mu Hak hopes they see each other again. Fate intervenes to bring them closer. Dali rushes to Korea after her father suddenly passes away. She has to face the harsh realities of life when she realizes her family is in debt and their art museum is on the verge of closing. Mu Hak happens to be the largest creditor to their museum, and they both meet again in Korea as well. Each day in Korea throws new challenges to Dali. She keeps falling deep into her debt trap with no real-life business knowledge and has to seek help from Jang Tae Jin, her ex-fiancee and SEGI’s Chairman. She is hesitant, but Tae Jin seems eager to help her. Her childhood friend, Joo Won Tak, helps her when he gets to know her plight. Mu Hak is not far behind in helping her though he puts on a show to care only about money. As the story unfolds, we realize that Dali and Mu Hak are more connected to each other’s lives. The spark between them works its magic, and they form a pact to fight all their enemies together. They face blackmail, bankruptcy, public slander, disownment, family betrayal, government corruption, and everything else possible. But together, they fight and realize they are each other’s correct answer.
Star Power
Dali and Cocky Prince have a fantastic line of the cast. In the lead roles, Kim Min Jae plays Jin Mu Hak, and Park Gyu Young plays Kim Dali. Kim Min Jae last appeared in the 2020 musical drama Do you like Brahms? While Park Gyu Young played roles in Sweet Home, The Devil Judge, and It’s okay to be not okay. We also see Kwon Yul as Jang Tae Jin, Hwang Hee as Joo Won Tak, and Yeon Woo as Ahn Chak Hee. They are the other main characters of the drama. In the supporting roles, we see a lot of actors in characters related to the art museum and Mu Hak’s company. Kim Nak Cheon plays the role of Jang Gwang, Dali’s father and the director of the Cheong-song Art Museum. We see Woo Hee Jin as Song Sa Bong and Ahn Se Ha as Han Byung Se, curators at the museum. The roles of other employees at the museum Hwang Gi Dong, Na Gong Joo, and Kim Si Hyung, are played by Yoo Hyung Gwan, Song Ji Won, and Lee Jae Woo, respectively. We see Ahn Gil Kang as Jin Baek Won, Seo Jeong Yeon as So Geum Ja, and Lee Je Yeon as Jin Ki Cheol, the family of Mu Hak. Hwang Bo Ra plays the role of Yeo Mi Ri, the secretary of Mu Hak. Jeong Kyu Soo, Hong Seok Cheon, and Park Sang Myun have special appearances.
Overall Opinion
Dali and Cocky Prince has the old Korean rom-com dramas we used to get before 2016 but improvised to fit the current times. There are badass characters like Mu Hak and Yeo Mi Ri and mature and warm characters like Dali and Won Tak. It is a mixture of all genres, with comedy as the highlight. This drama is Park Gyu Young’s first drama with a lead character, and she impressed all. There are thousand more reasons to watch this drama and chill, while there is also a possibility that not everyone can enjoy this genre of drama.
