What Is the Story About?
Based on the naver webtoon that goes by the same name, Chicken Nugget follows Choi Min-ah who mistakes a new machine as a device for fatigue recovery, enters into it and accidentally turns into a chicken nugget. How her beloved father, Choi Seon-man and intern Go Baek-joong who has a crush on her, try to turn her back into a human, thereby discovering several dark secrets forms the rest the story.
Performances?
The absurdity in Chicken Nugget’s whacky premise and writing is effortlessly sold to the audience by the brilliance that the main lead duo of Ryu Seung ryong and Ahn Jae hong brings to the table.
Actor Ryu Seung ryong channelises the protective daddy-bear cape that he donned in Disney’s Moving, and multiplies it times with his beautiful humour sense and physical comedy. The actor has proved his impeccable comic timing in Director Lee Byeong Heon’s Extreme Job and in Chicken Nugget, he just goes all guns blazing.
His chemistry with the wonderful Ahn Jae-hong pulls the series even when it derails a bit from engaging the audience. The way the duo’s colourful and exaggerated idiosyncrasies go tooth and nail as they desperately try to rescue Choi Min-ah is a treat to watch.
Analysis
Written and directed by Lee Byeong-heon, the captain of blockbuster South Korean comedies like Extreme Job and Twenty, Chicken Nugget is Netflix Korea’s latest addition which is also an adaptation of a naver webtoon that goes by the same name. With his trademark humour and emphasis on physical comedy, Chicken Nugget is as silly as it gets, all but with a tender heart of its own.
The opening credits of Chicken Nugget gives the audience a clear picture of what they’re getting into – a visual representation of an unbelievable premise with lots and lots of chicken nuggets. Almost 5 hours of fun and unserious entertainment with a pop of vivid and vivacious colours and equally idiosyncratic and over-the top characters.
In Lee Byeong-heon’s over-the-top and wild world, an adorable father-daughter bond is tested as the daughter gets trapped in a machine that simply turns her into a chicken nugget. Reminiscent of actor Ryu Seong-ryong’s spectacular daddy-bear act in Moving, Choi Seon-man is also adamant on bringing his daughter Choi Min-ah back. And for this mission, he seeks help in Go Baek-joong who has a massive crush on Min-ah.
As the duo goes through multiple trials, tribulations and failures in order to bring Min-ah back, we get to hear her point of view only through her words. Living the life of a chicken nugget for 5 days is less harder than living the life of a human for 50 years – she says and one can’t fathom the depth of those words. Multiple secrets get peeled out layer-after-layer as Seon-man and Baek-joong make attempts to save min-ah.
Without further ado or spoilers, what works strongly for Chicken Nugget is its absurdity and elements of mystery. Here’s a 10 epsiode long show that’s so unserious, absurd, equally whacky and fun. Then there are characters, too exaggerated and unbelievably stupid, so as to live by the silliness of the show’s premise. & these qualities make the series unique and interesting. And oh..the cameos are hilarious!
However, there are also aspects that never work in the show’s favour. Writer Byeong-heon is largely credited for tongue-in-cheek humour and dialogues in his comedies, while in Chicken Nugget some of the jokes never land. The low-effoer VFX and non-linear narrative doesn’t help either. After a point, one would be so done with the outlandish physical comedy and the interest is piqued only when mystery elements pop up.
To be concise, Chicken Nugget is a very novel and orginial attempt from K-Drama land that has been largely sticking to crowd-favourite genres since last few years. For sure, it comes with some bothering pitfalls and is not everyone’s cup of tea, but its a goofy and unserious show that can be watched as a silly weekend binge.
Music and Other Departments?
Kim Tae-seong’s music gives life to this over the top and extremely loud world the director-writer goes for. The production design of Chicken Nugget also does a good job by giving life to the webtoon’s silliness. However, the VFX is brutally underwhelming given Netflix’s and South Korea’s big-wigs association to the show.
Highlights?
Novelty of premise
Absurd Humour
Idiosyncratic characters
Cast & Cameos
Drawbacks?
Not all jokes land
Not everyone’s cup of tea
VFX
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Chicken Nugget Series Review by Binged Bureau
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