Netflix recently released a new production of a Korean drama, based on a web novel written by Park Ha Min and published in 2019: " Once Upon a Small Town ". This drama is not going to shake the platform and it won't be the production of the year. But because of its short format and lightness, it makes it a pretty romance full of nature and countryside to discover. It is ideal for breathing between two heavy and intense series, so let's discover "Once Upon A Small Town".
Synopsis
Han Ji Yul, a hardcore city veterinarian at the forefront of his time, finds himself having to replace his grandfather in his veterinary clinic in the countryside for 6 months. Although he finds himself catapulted there against his will, he discovers and appreciates the countryside and its inhabitants as time passes. And among others, Ahn Ja Young, policewoman of the region, but also the child of the village raised and loved by all, who helps everyone all the time, well beyond his work as a policeman.
STORY AND CHARACTERS
Certainly, there are the same strings as some dramas such as "Hometown cha-Cha-Cha" for example, even if of a lower quality. That said, we still appreciate the setting and the characters, and we adhere to them without much effort. We find all the secondary characters who are part of the success of this kind of production. It is therefore necessary to give it a chance, because it is still a nice parenthesis with some undeniable strengths.
The actors and their characters:
Even if the characters are not worked in depth, and cruelly lack details, Choo Young Woo does very well in the role of this purely urban veterinarian, accustomed to "small" animals and who finds himself facing cows, bulls, pigs etc … We end up becoming sincerely attached to him. Brand new in the Korean entertainment industry with still little drama under his belt, the debut of this actor is rather promising. 
As for her on-screen partner, Joy (real name Park so Young), famous singer and member of the K-pop group "Red Velvet", she also started on screen recently, but has already been nominated for two of her roles. She was especially noticed in 2015 by participating in a reality show. Here in any case, she is fair, natural, and we really adhere to her character, who is the opposite of her stage character. 
Their couple works, and it's a rather successful romance. We obviously find the usual love triangle, with the childhood friend whose feelings have not taken the same turn, and the hardcore city girl who dreams of resuming the story with Han Ji Yul where she was left. Nothing new there, we expect it, we know it, but it's well done.
The little extra and the small regrets:
The little extra:
The setting will be emphasized in this drama: the campaign. We go from large concrete buildings to greenery, from cars to bicycles and this, on the vast majority of the drama. We rediscover the simplicity of life, and we follow Han Ji Yul rediscover the pleasure of being a veterinarian in the countryside. It makes you live all kinds of moments that make us laugh, but are also filled with emotions. This is a real plus for this series, which makes it possible to counterbalance its small defects.
Small regrets:
The secondary couple is almost non-existent and it is really there to say that there is one. It's a reflection of the lack of work and depth of some things in this series. In addition, we talk all along about his grandparents who went on a trip, we talk about their departure, their return, their presence, but in the end we never see them. Too bad, it would surely have given a little more material to the whole. In the end, we will remember that yes, there are all the usual clichés, even the little nod to fate. Yes, this is not THE production of the year. But sincerely, we advise you this little refreshment break that has the merit of remaining simple and natural. Do not expect too much, and embark on this beautiful romance in the countryside. Its short format makes it a quick drama to watch and with no downtime, it doesn't drag on. A nice perfect sweet break between two dark and heavy dramas that will make you smile all along.
