Fermentation Family

[edit]Synopsis

Song Il Gook and Park Jin Hee, reuniting the PD and screenwriter who did Mawang and Resurrection. The story is about the unlikely family that forms among the people who are connected through a neighborhood eatery. Song Il Gook plays a rough and tumble gangster and Park Jin Hee the chef with big dreams who runs a local restaurant that ends up bringing together people in the neighborhood.

Add Cast | Show More Cast (13)Cast

Park Jin Hee (Lee Kang San)
Main Role

Edit
Song Il Gook (Ki Ho Tae)
Main Role

Edit
Jung Ae Ri (Jung Hyun Sook)
Supporting Role

Edit
Kim Byeong Chun (Han Pyung Man)
Supporting Role

Edit
Choi Deok Moon (Jo Dae Sik)
Supporting Role

Edit
Woo Yong (Jo Mi Nam)
Supporting Role

Edit

Write a Review | More ReviewsReviews

Apr 21, 2012 24 of 24 episodes seen

Sonkido
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Other reviews by this user
- Overall 8
- Story 6
- Acting/Cast 10
- Music 10
- Rewatch Value 6
It's a nice drama, but I would expected it to be more about the kimchi and less about gangsters and complicated side-stories. I really liked it until the story started to get so complicated so that the whole "fermentation" part of the drama fell somewhere in the background to appear from time to time.
I actually hoped it to be a heart-warming simplish story in the lines of "Osen" all about the love for kimchi and what it does to people's hearts, but it turned all weird towards the end. I'm not giving away spoilers, but that is why I gave it such low marks...
report I found this review Helpful Not Helpful
Feb 26, 2012 24 of 24 episodes seen

Jeaniessi
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
Other reviews by this user
- Overall 10
- Story 10
- Acting/Cast 10
- Music 10
- Rewatch Value 10
This drama really should be called by it's alternate name: Kimchi Family. The word 'fermentation' doesn't quite encompass what this story is truly about.

Kimchi Family is a real family drama with an extremely well written mystery and lovely little romance wrapped up inside. Every episode highlights a recipe for a type of Kimchi or on some occasions, a traditional Korean dish. Every type of kimchi and how it is prepared is mixed with a lesson about family, forgiveness, friendship, love, trust and on and on. The writing and acting are extremely well done. The way the plot advances and moves toward its conclusion is not rushed and no story line is left hanging. The pacing is perfect. This is a rare thing, even for the best Kdrama.

The thing that struck me about this drama is it's mix of corny and wise, silly and serious, tender and real. The well played out mysteries are what ended up surprising me. There were actually two! Ki Ho Tae and his search for his roots and another, slightly darker mystery that I won't spoil here. The great thing about how they were written is the subtlety and rationale of the characters. Each actors' dialog and reactions weren't over melodramatic and maudlin and yet still emotional and moving. I was excited to see how they would be solved.

I also loved how every episode was all about food, it's preparation, it's healing qualities for body and soul and it's ability to bring family together; both blood family and the family you choose with your heart.

Song Il Gook and Park Jin Hee were great. Their romance was sweet and their chemistry was lovely. Every actor did a great job. I have not one complaint.

The cinematography and lighting, the set designs were all so well done. I'm almost sad it's over now because I'm going to miss Earth and Man Restaurant.

The music was great! There is one song in particular that I absolutely loved. I don't know the name but it was a mix of traditional Korean, modern pop and rap! It was so catchy that I was actually bummed when an episode passed and it wasn't played.

I gave the re-watch value a 10 because even though I might not watch this again, it certainly is as far from a 1 (pathetic) as you could get.

I recommend this highly for anyone who is looking for an original (yes, original!) story and one that is maturely written and very well told. read more
report I found this review Helpful Not Helpful

Make a Recommendation | More recs.Recommendations

Jewel in the Palace

Both are 'healing dramas' that warm the heart.
reportRecommended by Stranger_A
Gourmet

I should say "liking so far" as Fermentation Family still has about 1/2 way to go...But if you are watching and liking this drama you might like Gourmet. Both center around a family that owns a restaurant as well as the theme of keeping to Korea's food traditions. Lots of food is featured in both.
reportRecommended by Jeaniessi

Comments (9)

Sonkido Apr 21, 2012
About my review, I just noticed a typo: I wrote "Sen" instead of "Osen" for some reason. Sorry!
- ❤
- Reply
- Delete
  
  Report
- Ashu Apr 21, 2012
  I believe you can go back and edit it. :)
  - ❤
  - Reply
  - Delete
    
    Report
- Sonkido Apr 21, 2012
  Thanks, I'm into that now. :-)
  
  1 ❤
  - ❤
  - Reply
  - Delete
    
    Report
Bladey Mar 2, 2012
Great drama. Is a bit slow to get into at first but it's really worth the watch. Great characters you grow to love. Very well done.

2 ❤
- ❤
- Reply
- Delete
  
  Report
bokami Feb 26, 2012
woa... jeanies review struck me :)

4 ❤
- ❤
- Reply
- Delete
  
  Report
- Jeaniessi Feb 26, 2012
  Oppa! Thank you so much. ----------143! Beam!
  
  3 ❤
  - ❤
  - Reply
  - Delete
    
    Report
avandorsten Jan 25, 2012
looooove this. great characters food and something just nice. (not the one for you f you are looking for too much intrigue)

2 ❤
- ❤
- Reply
- Delete
  
  Report
kdramafan89 Jan 5, 2012
I agree this is heartwarming as watching each week makes me feel like im a part of thier family. Solid acting and interesting storyline.

4 ❤
- ❤
- Reply
- Delete
  
  Report
Selexie Dec 30, 2011
heartfelt drama with interesting characters and a story line that has kept me interested so far.

4 ❤
- ❤
- Reply
- Delete
  
  Report

[edit]Synopsis

Add Cast | Show More Cast (13)Cast

Write a Review | More ReviewsReviews

Make a Recommendation | More recs.Recommendations

Comments (9)

Error

Title

General Details

Statistics

Recently watched by