Went in with zero expectations, but this charming old comedy turned out to be a genuinely fun ride. Combining gay characters, a pride parade, and a heist plot in one movie sounds like a recipe that could easily fall apart, but when it's pulled off right, like it is here, you end up with something that feels satisfying and delivers exactly the kind of simple entertainment it promises. The setting is Chez Nouz, a gay cafe tucked into the heart of Amsterdam, run by an older guy named Adje who acts as a stand in father figure for Bertie, the bar's main drag performer, a guy who never actually knew his real dad and has spent years fantasizing that he might secretly be the son of some famous Dutch singer. Their little makeshift family also includes Babette, the straight waitress, and Rachid, a regular who Adje took under his wing and gave a room to after his own family kicked him out for being gay. The bar's other regulars include Peter-Jan, a good looking gay lawyer, and Gijs, a...
Dohoon is works for an advertising firm and has long working hours and just eats whatever. One night after a long day, his new neighbor Yoonsoo rings his doorbell and introduces himself. Initially annoyed, Dohoon finds a mysterious gift on his doorknob the next day. Urns out the neighbor noticed his unhealthy eating habits. He does put a message on the beverage which gives Dohoon an idea liked by his manager. Dohoon wants to thanks Yoonsoo and they become friends. Yoonsoo wants to open a new restaurant, so he asks if Dohoon can have dinner with him every night and give him feedback, forming a close bond. Soon we are told that Yoonsoo knows Dohoon from university days but latter doesn't remember. One night they kiss but Dohoon finds out that the chef may have a toxic ex whom he may not have completely over with. A series of misunderstandings follow, combined with a whole lot of office politics melodrama etc. and as expected everything is sorted in the finale.
To be honest, there is not much of a storyline going on in this show. Almost 60% of the show is spend on office banter between colleagues, them working on the project etc barely leaving anytime for the actual romantic side of the story. Despite the excessive attention on the coworkers, there's little reason to care about them, because none of this characters is developed. Even the way initial love is developed between the leads feels so half baked. For few days they are having dinner and then just one day Yoonsoo decides to kiss him. Sure, he knows him from university, but anyone would be chocked by an incident like this. As I mentioned in the beginning, jealous accusations, stupid misunderstandings, and every tired cliché from the handbook of BL world are used in the show. Both leads become aggravating toward the end as they refuse to communicate or compromise. A good romance is supposed to convey how the leads fall in love, but here, the journey is choppy and confusing. The makers had 2 very good looking leading men and they could have done wonders with the cast but thanks to the lousy material and lacklustre characterizations; this show never even tries to rise above the mediocrity that it is serving its audience. It doesn't evened full justice to food recipes or trying to educate people on that. It just comes and go. This show is extremely arbitrary and very disappointing especially since food based BL shows are something I look forward to. (3/10)
Comments
Still, I know drama needs drama, but misunderstanding and poor communication are always the most tedious ones... Poor kisses have no excuses though!
I liked the korean food explanations. And the french name ;)
But its also unbelievable how the BL factories have stepped up their game