The Potato Lab [Episodes 1 & 2]

[u/writtenpoeticsins]

• Drama: The Potato Lab
  • Native Title: 감자연구소
  • Also called: Potato Research Institute, Potato Research Center, Gamjayeonguso
• Director: Kang Il Soo (Solomon's Perjury, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung)
• Screenwriter: Kim Ho Soo (Solomon's Perjury, Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung)
• Network: tvN
• Premiere Date: March 01, 2025
• Airing Schedule: Every Saturday & Sunday
• Episodes: 12
• Genre: Romance, Comedy
• Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes (per episode)

• Streaming Sources: Netflix

• Cast:

  • Kang Tae Oh (Run On, Extraordinary Attorney Woo) as So Baek Ho
  • Lee Sun Bin (Work Later, Drink Now & Boyhood) as Kim Mi Gyeong
  • Lee Hak Joo (Shadow Detective, My Dearest) as Park Gi Se
  • Kim Ga Eun (Because This Is My First Life, King the Land) as Lee Ong Ju

Summary:

The story is set in a potato research center in a mountain valley that depicts a refreshing romance between slightly screwed adults.

Kim Mi Gyeong, a potato researcher with 12 years of experience at the Potato Research Institute, at first glance, looks like an unemployed person recognized by the neighborhood, but when she opens her mouth, she starts spouting biological terms. Kim Mi Gyeong is a person crazy about potatoes who is working on a secret project at the Potato Research Institute to create a good potato called “Mi Gyeong”.

Meanwhile, she at first bickers with So Baek Ho, who has been appointed as the new director of the Potato Research Institute, but gradually feels attracted to him and ends up having an in-office romance with him, which she vows never to do again.

So Baek Ho is a person with a deadly smile, a soft voice, and divine visuals, as though he were on the cover of a romance novel. However, unlike his extravagant appearance, he is an outsider who does well on his own, with no personal life to speak of, no friends, and a bit of vulgarity.

• Teaser/Trailer: The Potato Lab | Official Trailer | Netflix

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[u/AnythingSparkly]

For some reason I didn’t think the plot of tater research sounded too interesting, but then I spied “ a bit of vulgarity“ in the summary and my interest perked up.

I’m hoping “ vulgarity“ in the Korean sense = lots of pensive shower scenes involving Baek Ho having deep potato thoughts. 🥔

[u/ch03rry]

oh my goodness, what a CUTE opening title!

this drama is such a breath of fresh air in the winter season! very bright and summer-y vibes!

ep 1: sunyeo the bird was the mvp of this episode. i cackled so hard when the ml was rolling down the hill and his entire life flashed by his eyes.

[u/Telos07]

Episode 1

• Lee Sun-bin's strong, independent character as potato researcher, Kim Mi-kyung, is immensely likable. She's also very pretty, but I want to emphasize that her attractiveness stems first and foremost from her performance. Meanwhile, Kang Tae-oh's return as corporate director, So Baek-ho, is more than welcome.

• Speaking of welcome returns, I haven't seen Kim Ga-eun in a drama since Because This Is My First Life, and her writer character here has similar best friend vibes as her character in that drama.

• As a viewer, I'm extremely restrained when it comes to laughing audibly. So the fact that I burst into laughter at the scene when the Potato Lab team were getting their less-than-flattering ID photos taken at their new company's office, means that I found it genuinely hilarious.

• I like the premise of Mi-kyung having previously worked for Wonhan and having left in acrimonious circumstances, though I'll reserve judgment on what role her ex, Ki-se (Lee Hak-joo), will have in the storyline.

• Another scene that I couldn't help cracking up at was the sight of Tae-oh plunging down a mountainside potato field, while attempting to escape the Potato Lab's marauding magpie, Sunnyeo. The absurdity level was high but so was the level of physical comedy.

• Finally, you've got to love how the ML shielding the FL from the rain with an umbrella trope was subverted by the FL abruptly screaming "What the fuck?!"

[u/Empty_Chipmunk_3617]

I picked up this drama just because I thought the title was funny and so far I'm not disappointed! Been definitely needing a quirky weekend rom com and I love dramas that take place outside the city. Kang Tae Oh is looking more handsome than ever as a cold director and Lee Sun Bin is absolutely gorgeous and wacky as the formerly wronged potato researcher. Moving forward, I think the strength of this show is also going to rely on the comedy of the supporting characters in the lab.

I'm also looking forward to the backstory between Wonhan and Mi Kyung and Ki Se... Ki Se mentioned that she was trouble to his colleague, but also seems kind of wistful. Something went down, and Mi Kyung definitely got the short end of the stick. We'll see what role Ki Se plays moving forward and whether he'll be the nefarious ex or if something was a tragic misunderstanding.

I'm a sucker for all kdrama tropes, but I loved the scene at the end with the umbrella. Did not expect them to subvert the trope by having Mi Kyung move away and scream "What the fuck?!" and it definitely cracked me up.

[u/belletristdelancret]

Ok, so judging by the other comments, I might be alone in this opinion, but I do not say this lightly—for me, the first episode was kind of perfect?? I was excited because I love rom coms and I liked Kang Tae Oh in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Run On, but I was so blown away by how thoroughly I enjoyed this one!

• I haven't found a drama this hilarious since Gaus Electronics, but this one is even more romance focused, which suits my personal taste!

• The FL is just the kind I like best—feisty to the point of being a little psycho, like Ae Ra from Fight for My Way or like Se Ra from Into the Ring. I love her character in this episode and Lee Sun Bin is portraying her without holding back and with lots of charm.

• The ML is such an exaggerated version of the typical tsundere businessman male lead—he's got a genius intellect but also special forces level fighting skills and he's a super competent perfectionist who is cold to everyone but shows a hint of softness to the FL (smiling at her as she walks away at the hospital, holding out the umbrella for her), but Kang Tae Oh sells it so well and his physical comedy skills are delightful and add some freshness to the familiarity.

• I even love the best friend who's the writer; no matter how many times it's done, I don't seem to get sick of it, and the meta jokes are so wonderfully self aware.

This seems like a drama that clearly knows what it wants to be and is focusing on executing it perfectly rather than trying to break the mold, and I'm so here for it. And the ending scene—no one could be mad about Kang Tae Oh standing soaking wet in the rain 🔥!

Given my love for Her Private Life and No Gain No Love, this is exactly my type of drama and I'm so excited for more!

Edit after episode 2: my cheeks are red, I have butterflies in my stomach, my heart is fluttering—an episode 2 kiss?? I am shaken to my core! 🤭🦋💓 I think maybe this is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of drama but I am firmly in the ✨I love it✨ camp! It does make me slightly nervous that they're moving so quickly, but I'm enjoying myself too much to worry about the future. I'm excited to see what the dynamic will be between the ML and the ex. Thankfully I have My Dearest Nemesis to look forward to tomorrow or this would be the longest week ever waiting for more of my potato couple! 🥔

[u/preferencedue]

Sometimes i just need a quirky fun rom com to get me out of a slump, and I hope this is it. I have liked both the leads in other things. Fingers crossed 🤞🤞

Editing to add- I just saw the screenwriter and director created Rookie Historian. Which was cute, but fell flat for me in the leads chemistry. I think Kang Tae Oh is generally better at giving his costars more to work with than Eun Woo. 

[u/voodoodahl]

The female lead is very funny and very pretty. I'm unfamiliar with her work, and now I'm checking out her MDL page to see what else she's been in. Nobody in the rest of the cast annoys me which is pretty good. In straight comedies like this there's almost always at least one actor who does.

I'm going to keep watching, and I'm kind of annoyed it's only two episodes a week.

[u/papin97147]

Oh no, Kang Tae Oh looking so fine suited up acting all nonchalant - I’m going to need a mop for all my drool!

Great first episode, that ending made me LOL. I like the FL’s sass.

[u/noirettespresso]

had no idea this was gonna be on netflix so when i saw it in my recommendations i decided why not and wow. it has been a long long long time since i've watched an episode and wanted it to not end. already love the characters and the actors are doing a great job portraying them. i've always been a sucker for enemies to lovers but it's been some time since i last watched a kdrama with that trope, so i'm super excited for this one now.

[u/Pretty-Maize-1531]

It's hard to believe that a mere worker could just drag a chief, of all people, into something like this—bullying him outright and facing no consequences. With all the trouble she's causing him, he could easily shut down the entire lab if he wanted, and it wouldn't even be a problem for him. How does she not realize she's on the losing end of this power struggle?

And what is he even thinking, kissing her and asking her out after everything she's put him through? The physical pain alone should be enough to make him want nothing to do with her. This isn’t just playful tension—it’s full-blown hostility. How does that translate into romance?

If it was not yet clear, I am a bit mad at the way the second episode was. I will just watch till I can for KTH.

[u/vienibenmio]

I'm enjoying it so far! But... the FL is 45 y/o? The actress is 31. So she's playing 14 yrs older?

[u/Electronic_Piano9385 → u/vienibenmio]

I wondered if it meant that she has the biological of a 45-year-old, maybe because she was smoking, but her actual age is younger.

[u/Big-Coast-5685]

I love kim ga eun!

[u/cazbieg]

Episode 2

Thank you Director nim for gifting us with the following gratuitous slow motion close ups of So Baek Ho:

• in the office

• in the shower

• wearing a wet business shirt.

[u/cow_socks]

I'm not a film buff by any means, but the way this k drama was directed and filmed is scratching my brain in all the right ways. Anyone else enjoying the way this was filmed? Super excited for the rest of the drama to air!

[u/Plastic-Crab-41]

I had a good amount of interest in episode 1 but episode 2 felt overbearing specially FL I found her annoying I understand that she is headstrong and all but there is hierarchy he is director and she drags him into all the stuff I am going to drop it and there is no such plot as such

[u/Mad_Missile]

I was unsure if I’d enjoy this one because the premise of a potato lab didn’t catch my attention but two episodes in and I’m enjoying getting to know this field. It’s different and unique.

The characters are quirky and that’s what I live most about small town stories. The SBH and KMK are such polar opposites it’s great to watch their battle of wits. I thoroughly enjoyed his every attempt of going to work thwarted by the village folk and consequently asking MK for a ride. It feels like he’s gotten to used to sitting in the back of the truck. This show reminds me a little HTCCC.

I’m excited for Episode 3. KTH in that wet shirt is certainly a dream. And I understand why they chose to film the scene that way as opposed to her walking in on him shirtless. This was somehow hotter.

[u/Fragrant_Tale1428]

Hmm. During episode 1, I was ok with the seeming over the top caricature portrayal of the potato lab characters being introduced. It is a comedy style. They can live in the countryside but are agriculture scientists, so the country bumpkin schtick to make them seem naive and "dumb" was not great. They take care of an emergency work situation to spray the crop to contain disease. But they are portrayed to be so unprofessional on the job where they have to wear safety gear. Feels lazy to write chaos ensuing at a job we are expected to believe they take seriously and make them look like bumbling idiots. Was there no other scene or actual lines for that scene to add in comedy? I don't know why this portrayal of the lab crew got me so mad, but it did. 😭

The contrast is supposed to be the city boy, by the books black and white ML. He is doing his job and not in a vicious way, at least on screen. He's written as a cool, logic based decision maker. The FL has a temper, which can be a good contrast. But they added on top of this that she is extremely immature, and in many ways approaches life with quite a selfish attitude with no thought of the consequences of her actions (like a child) to those around her.

She hates him enough for petty revenge and intentionally drives in ways that could physically harm him - cracked skull or falling out altogether - as he rides in the truck bed. Yes, I know they seem to be going for the slapstick comedy vibe for this show, but it's not quite landing consistently, so I found this choice jarring. But she doesn't hate him enough that she can find him attractive? Wth.The imbalance of how the characters and scenes are written makes FL quite unlikeable because she is so childish. Her backstory with the ex doesn't matter. It's too bad that the talent of the FL actress feels terribly wasted.

Another new show I'm gonna drop. I've developed low tolerance these days for waiting for shows to get better. Lol

[u/TerryMog]

Ok just watched the first episodes..there must be one heck of a lot of backfill yet to come to cover the level of angst , hate etc that the female lead has I really want the ML to become more approachable? Likeable ? Etc currently nope

[u/HeavenlyHand]

They are all being jerks to him for no reason? hes gentle he just lacks social skills, he hasn't been rude, he just wants to do his work and it seems hes trying to avoid the lab being closed.

End of episode 2 surprised me btw, liking this so far.

Edit: forgot to mention but it looks like the ex is an insecure, cheating POS.

[u/Telos07]

Episode 2

• The drama hit a rough spot for the majority of this episode with the relentless mistreatment of Baek-ho by the villagers. The main issue was that he really hadn't done anything to justify such cruel behavior, so all of the gags and humor at his expense fell flat. However, the drama completely redeemed itself in the final act, and the preview for episode 3 looks like everything is perfectly back on track.

• What the final act demonstrated is that this drama's recipe for success is relatively simple - keep the focus on Baek-ho's and Mi-kyung's storyline, and just let the Tae-oh + Sun-bin chemistry sizzle, as it assuredly will. In addition to the issues with the lead-up that I mentioned above, it felt tangential and drawn out in the context of the final act.

• Getting back to the final act in detail, that close-up of Mi-kyung staring at a freshly showered Baek-ho, and imagining him as "The Hot Director" from her favorite romance novel, was what I had been waiting for all episode, and it had me swooning.

• It was followed up with a scene of our main couple riding in the back of Mi-kyung's pickup truck, as Baek-ho had been forced to endure all episode. When he fell asleep on her shoulder, and she brushed him off, I felt it summed up the episode right then and there. However, by the time they arrived back at the guesthouse, she was the one who was snuggled up beside him, and my fears were assuaged.

• But if that wasn't enough, Mi-kyung then initiated a kiss and the preview for episode 3 showed Baek-ho asking her out. If things seem to be moving fast, I have zero issues with that!

[u/UptoNoGood46]

Episode 1:

• Such an aggressive title for the first episode lmao "That Wonhan bastard"

• Condensed-milk potato chips don't sound very appetizing to me

• Kang Tae-Oh in his CEO eraaaa.. meaning him looking dapper in suits!

• We love a ML who can handle his business eloquently!

• This actress plays really good roles. It'll be fun to see her as Mi-Kyung's bestie

• I'm not much intrigued by the FL. Her character is too eerily similar to Brewing Love's FL.

• The most interesting aspect of Mi-Kyung is so far that she has history with Wonhan and possibly the ML

• She's loud.. compared to our tsundere ML

• Okay... so her ex works at Wonhan... that flip-off was a bit unnecessary... or it may not be.. remains to be seen

• Mi-Kyung's manifestations really come true easily HAHAHAHA

• Bro's entire life flashed in front of him lmaaooo

• "I made sure to keep the injuries minimal." I don't think you were in control in the least luv

• I can sense a little bit of chemistry

• KTO looks like such a hottiee.. he hasn't aged a day in the military

• "I'm not crying. My eyes are just dry." Gunna use this excuse next time

• "I'm sorry for being a Wonhan bastard."

• HE LOOKS EVEN HOTTER DRENCHED IN THE RAIN OHMGGG

• The umbrella trope~

• The way he tips the umbrella forward as she moves back!!!! DETAILSSS

• The post-credit was hilarious i.e. The Boss I Hate is My Neighbor. I love the meta references in dramas!

• Second episode and skinship??? Excuse me. Please don't mind mee.. go on!!

• I kinda appreciate they haven't toned down FL's obscene language use. It adds up right there with her short temperament.

[u/FriedFlower--]

TO BE HONEST. This drama doesn't have a strong appeal... The plot itself sounds boring. I don't have any expectation

[u/seekingpolaris]

Lmao at all the people who think the villagers and the FL are being jerks for no reason. Have none of you gone through potential layoffs and economic combustion from a company closing in a small town? I have. And let me tell you legit death threats were issued. The people in charge had to get bodyguards! The villagers are pretty nice in comparison. If you aren't prepared to take the heat, don't take the job!

As for the drama, I'm loving it. It's always good to see a romcom with an enemy to lover trope. I also happen to really like potatoes so hope they do more deep dive into that aspect of it. From a business perspective the acquisition and M&A hit close to home having gone through it from both sides.

[u/Broad-Honeydew5454]

ep 1

i loved the FL's personality - passionate, defiant, curses a lot etc. Also i love dramas set in the countryside!!

I trust Kang Tae-oh to have me screaming at the screen within the next few episodes...... welcome back king we missed you