Pasta
Pasta is a lot like Playful Kiss; not a successful drama, because after the first few episodes it becomes very clear that it is contained within fairly narrow limitations and that you can either take it or leave it at that.
As such, it’s hard to hate. Like Playful Kiss, it’s a drama to watch not for the plot – because there’s little of it to be seen – but for the chemistry between the main couple. The plot rapidly devolves, especially in the second half, into circular, pointless shenanigans (she’s in the kitchen! then she’s fired! she’s back! he quit! he comes back etc), and if there’s ever two characters that are under-utilized, it’s secondary leads Kim San and Oh Sae Young. We gripe about characters being used as simple plot devices, but in this case I’d have been grateful to see them be used at all (especially Alex as Kim San). At the same time, I appreciated that the secondary leads didn’t really ultimately impinge on the main romance, because slight plot regardless Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Sun Gyun made up one of the cutest couples all year. Their chemistry, alternately sizzling and affectionate, was a living thing that lit up the screen through all its 20 episodes. And as the only real bright spot, it’s a good thing it shone so brightly.
Pasta did have one other strength – in a year full of beautifully shot dramas (Kdramas are making huge strides as far as cinematography lately) I still remember Pasta for its lovely, delicate cinematography and colorful sets – the drama really made the most of the visual appeal of a the kitchen where most of it was set, and brought a luminosity to even the ordinary places such as outdoor bars and streets.
I don’t want to label Pasta as slice-of-life – that would be to excuse the genuine laziness and slightness of much of the plot – but it can be enjoyed,much like Playful Kiss, as another low-key romance that often hits wonderful relationship notes. Ultimately, however, it’s a cooking drama that doesn’t break out of or effectively utilize the limited world it creates. (Note: I included it on my list of Best Dramas To Watch When You’re Sick)
I think it is okay .
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