From Hiccups to Headlines: Why "Pinocchio" Kdrama is a Must-Watch Series

Hey there! Annyeong! Have you had the chance to check out "Pinocchio" Kdrama yet? If not, let me tell you, you have got to get to it!

This popular Korean drama series first aired in 2014, and it quickly became a fan favorite among viewers of Asian TV. I’d say it’s a “classic”. One of those Kdrama titles that will always be on a list of best, top, favorite, etc.

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PLOT SUMMARY

Pinocchio follows the story of Choi Dal Po (Lee Jong Suk) and Choi In Ha (Park Shin Hye), two individuals living in South Korea who, through a series of circumstances, become reporters.

Dal Po was adopted by an old man when he was a child after a very tragic event. His adopted father Choi Gong Pil happens to be the grandfather of Choi In Ha, our female protagonist. And this starts their fake uncle-niece relationship. Dal Po is determined to become a reporter and reveal the truth behind his family’s past.

Meanwhile, In Ha suffers from the mysterious “Pinocchio Syndrome” which causes her to hiccup whenever she lies. In Ha, who idolizes her mother who is a famous reporter, also becomes a reporter. Dal Po and In Ha navigate the cutthroat world of journalism while also dealing with their struggles.

Along with their group of friends, they face the trials and tribulations of life as they search for the truth in the world of news media.

Pinocchio made me angry, made me giddy, made me cry, and made me laugh. It's a rollercoaster of emotions, and you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat at many points throughout the series.

ACTING AND CHARACTERS

Lee Jong Suk and Park Shin Hye both do an incredible job of portraying the lead characters, Dal Po and In Ha. Their chemistry on-screen is undeniable and their portrayal of the characters is both realistic and emotional. The supporting cast is also noteworthy, with each actor bringing depth and nuance to their roles.

Yoon Gyun Sang plays Choi Gong Pil, the father of Choi Dal Po and Choi In Ha, who is deadpan funny, sometimes serious, and has some really good words of wisdom when needed.

Then there’s Kim Young Kwang who plays Seo Beom Jo, a rich kid with an influential mother who became a reporter to meet In-Ha, who intrigued him when he was little (there’s history here, so you need to watch it). Lee Yoo Bi plays Yoon Yoo Rae, another colleague who is crazy competitive, a little bit looney, but really funny.

Of course, we can't forget about Cha Ok, In-ha's mother and the cause of Dal-po's misery and target of vengeance. She played the part so well I've hated her throughout the series and thought of all the bad things that should happen to her because of her deception. High blood! Haha!

Each of these central characters brings something unique to the story, bringing their personalities and relationships to life.

MY FAVORITE PARTS

Ok, here’s the fun part of this whole blog. My favorite parts of the drama. Mind you, there’s a lot since this series ran for 20 episodes. That’s 4 more than the usual Korean drama length. Be warned, there are spoilers in this section!

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Let’s start from the beginning. I loved the part when they were still in high school and Dal-po joined and almost won a TV quiz show (he did lose on purpose). Everyone was so surprised because he was always last in class. At least, that’s how he wanted to appear, I guess.

Some of my favorite parts are those that take place in their offices because there’s a lot of comedy there. From their bosses and the junior reporters.

I also liked how they’d stake out the local police station just to get the scoop on the latest scandal or crime. How they all slept in a room at the station like one big dorm room, with junk food as their source of sustenance most of the time.

I also like their editor’s news desk, where all the sups camp out and they have this competition and betting going on. Makes me wonder if this is the normal setup of news outlets all over the world.

I like the family dynamics of the Choi household. Each member genuinely cares for one another and no matter how complicated things get, they never lose faith and trust in each other. Besides, the grandfather and father are too funny but have real words of wisdom that resonated.

As I said, there are soooo many great parts in this series, I simply cannot list them all, lest this article runs at 2,000 words. LOL.

OVERALL

This Korean drama is like a rollercoaster of emotions with each episode being better than the last, keeping you hooked until the very end.

The show is packed with lessons, serving up a big platter of redemption, forgiveness, and the importance of truth. It's a drama that's not afraid to show us how ruthless a person can be, especially those who are closest to them.

But it's not all dark and heavy – Pinocchio also shines a light on collaboration, friendship, and the importance of family. So buckle up and prepare to have your heartstrings pulled in every direction! This is one Korean drama series that'll leave you smiling, laughing, angry, sad, and crying.