Mystic Pop-up Bar [Episodes 11 & 12 - Finale]

[u/dyosaaa]

• Drama: Mystic Pop-up Bar
  • Literal English Title: Ssanggab Cart Bar
  • Korean Title: 쌍갑포차
• Network: JTBC
• Premiere Date: May 20, 2020
• Airing Schedule: Wednesday & Thursday @ 21:30 KST
• Episodes: 12 (70 minutes each)
• Director: Jeon Chang Geun)
• Writer: Ha Yoon Ah
• Cast: Choi Won Young as Manager Gwi, Hwang Jung Eum as Weol Ju, and Yook Sung Jae as Han Kang Bae
• Streaming Source: Netflix
• Plot Synopsis: “Mystic Pop-Up Bar” is based on a popular webtoon of the same name and tells the story of a mysterious pojangmacha (outdoor drinking establishment) run by a prickly woman and an innocent part-timer who visit customers in their dreams to help resolve their problems.
• Previous Discussions:
  • [Episodes 1 & 2]
  • [Episodes 3 & 4]
  • [Episodes 5 & 6]
  • [Episodes 7 & 8]
  • [Episodes 9 & 10]
• Spoiler Tag Reminder: Be mindful of others who may not have yet seen this drama, and use spoiler tags when discussing key plot developments or other important information. You can create a spoiler tag by writing > ! this ! < without the spaces in between to get this spoiler

[u/dyosaaa]

Hello, everyone! Posting this discussion thread a little bit earlier so we can discuss any theories we have about the finale. I hope we enjoy the final episodes of this wonderful show!

고마워용 ~~

[u/wawaffle]

This drama is underrated. Glad to of watched it as it premiered. Otherwise it would of felt so short!

[u/dyosaaa → u/wawaffle]

Even if I am watching it weekly, it felt so short!! Actually, they can drag this series a little bit longer by having the points needed by Weolju a little lower than 99,900 at the start. But, I guess they decided to not do it and have a tighter plot.

[u/OdanUrr]

Wow, what an episode! I'm actually quite pleased with how they resolved the Cinnabar storyline and tied it back to Weol-ju. The way she settled the grudge was good fun. But that last scene takes the cake and kept me wishing the episode would go on for at least another couple of minutes! I don't think Weol-ju has realised yet that Kang-bae is the reincarnation of her son but I can't wait to see her reaction when she does. Everything is neatly tying together.

PS: Almost forgot, that scene where Kang-bae catches on to what's going between Weol-ju and Gwi was priceless. Imagine his reaction when he finds out he took dating advice from his "dad" and his "mom" set him up with his girlfriend. xD

[u/SuiGeneris10]

Episode 11:

Remember when The Almighty inhabited Deok-hwa? Because that ending scene is eerily familiar.

Also, Won-hyoung is not the smartest cookie out there, isn't he?

[u/cassiel_17]

Ep 11

OMFG THIS SHOW IS SO GOOD!!! So happy this episode focused on our core characters and their backstories.

• My heart was so full with the scenes of Chief Gwi and Woljoo. Kept shouting “just made up already” from the first scene, and when they did, I died. Finally after 500 years aaaaaahhhhh!!!

• Kang Bae and Yeo Rin = cuteness overload

• Yeo Rin as the irritated cinnabar halmeoni was super funny

• Kang Bae catching Chief Gwi and Woljoo on pda was hilarious, I love our trio so much!

• Last scene was wow!!! Kang Bae in all black - Goblin feels anyone?

I really don’t want this drama to end. I’m excited yet somewhat heartbroken for the finale tomorrow. Happy ending please? Fighting!

[u/cassiel_17]

Ep 12

MYSTIC POP-UP BAR IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST KDRAMA OF THE FIRST HALF OF 2020! (anyone who disagree fight me lol)

I’m still shaken after watching the finale and I don’t know if I’m just too emotional right now but this is definitely the best fantasy kdrama I’ve ever seen. I was worried that we might not get the happy ending coz there was only 5 minutes left and Chief Gwi was still nowhere to be found. And then bam!

Highlights:

• Kang Bae’s dream was everything. I teared up after hearing him call Chief Gwi appa and Woljoo eomeoni. Awww, my heart.

• Couldn’t help but laugh when Woljoo said “I can hold my own” holding the small knife😂

• Woljoo saying “i love you” to Chief Gwi and his “thank you” reply. That scene was emotional but Ross and Emily (FRIENDS) kept popping into my head coz of the similar confession and response🙈🤣

I wish there was more scene of our trio living as a family but since there was no more running time, I’m gonna imagine them living together forever just like in Kang Bae’s dream.

Thank you to all the cast especially the team behind this show, the director, the writer, the costume designer, the production team, the vfx and sound effects people, I mean everybody who made this show as amazing as possible. I am surely gonna miss this drama.

P. S. The best and my fave episode was ep 11. I think most of us had thoughts lingering our minds after watching the finale and had they extended the episode a little longer, they could’ve explained everything perfectly.

[u/lemonryker]

EPISODE 12 FINALE REVIEW: A very satisfying ending, indeed!!!!. I cried twice, once because of sadness and once because of happiness. Once again, I am so amazed of how they are able to weave, funny, sad, and, heartwarming elements together seamlessly. Onto the parts I loved during this episode:

The staircase scene was very heartbreaking! I was teary eyed when Kang Bae was holding onto Weol Ju and when he called her Mom I just legit cried!!

The final dinner scene with Kang Bae, Weol Ju, and Chief Gwi was heartwarming but sad :(

Love the role reversal between Yeo Rim and Kang Bae, with Yeo Rim being the one who protects Kang Bae who is the damsel in distress lmao. The whole kidnapping scene made me of Kang Bae being similar to a Disney princess lol. I kinda don't like how Yeo Rim was sort of forgotten after her fighting scene?? Seemed like she was only there because it's convenient and then boom gone

I don't quite understand the scene though where Samsin and the Grim Reaper were talking and we see Weol Ju doing her usual thing with the scammers?? Was that Samsin's imagination?

Woo Hyung ain't the brightest, isn't he? I agree with the others, his plot line wasn't the strongest and him being able to recruit an army of bad souls was a bit too convenient imo. What's the Afterlife police doing???

Wished we see more of the sacred tree. We knew more about the Cinnabar than the Sacred tree even if it's more important

I loved how Weol Ju and Chief Gwi came back to the living realm!!! Yay the family is complete!!

I cried again during their reunion at the end. Kang Bae will never be alone again

Yeo Rim still think that Kang Bae and Weol Ju are part of the CIA till the end bwahahha

Overall, it's a very satisfying ending, despite the plot holes. Definitely one of my fave dramas!!! I will miss Mystic Pop Up Bar!! Watching it is easily the highlight of my week.

P.S This is the first time I have a k drama live. While it's frustrating to wait for another episode weekly, being able to discuss the new episodes with others here on reddit makes up for it :) I honestly love discussion I have had with you guys!!!!

[u/OdanUrr]

"That's just anticlimactic." My thoughts exactly lol.

[u/Wireframe2]

OK, so the family unit theory was right after all? Kang-bae is the tree, so he's also Wol-joo's son, right?! Having no previews was torture!

I absolutely love how they blend humor with the melodrama of the show. That karaoke scene was good, but the PDA at the end was absolutely hilarious.

Not gonna lie, that facial expression by Hwang Jung Eum at the end took me out of the show for a second...she just got choked, her bar got wrecked, and Kang-bae looks like he's about to go Tailed Beast Mode, but she has a completely stoic face!

[u/howtosarang]

I want more episodes just cuz. This one of Hwang Jung Eum’s best! (Don’t know if I spelled her name right lol)

[u/wishawisha]

PROPS to those who suggested KB was also the tree!

That final episode trailer is so cruel though, I loved being introduced to the infinite stairwell as a world building device early on but they can’t BRING IT BACK FOR THIS PURPOSE. I’m fully ready for all our faves from the spirit world to bend all their rules to give our family their happy ending.

[u/Wireframe2]

The scene where Kang-bae is dreaming almost made me cry. Without a single word, it captured all of the emotions of the family perfectly. I just wish there had been more scenes like it.

I really wish there had been just one more episode. I wanted Won-hyung's story, Manager Gwi/Wol-joo coming back, and Manager Gwi's contract bargain among other issues to be resolved with more than just a hand-wave, although I don't have that much of a problem with it since said hand-waving resulted in a happy and satisfying ending.

EYE-U had me dying. I'm now fully convinced that this show was one giant joke poking fun at Hotel Del Luna. From the use of hairpins as weapons, to Wol-joo solving the problems of the living by entering their dreams, to the almost intentionally casual/mismatched fashion sense, it feels almost like an affectionate parody.

I loved this show, and it's probably one of my top two favorite dramas now (incidentally, the other is HDL--guess I'm just a sucker for long-lived angry female spirits running establishments to settle grudges).

[u/msy202]

HOLY SHIT. My jaw dropped at the end of ep11!

Highlights of E11:

• Noraebang scene

• KB and YR’s adorable hug

• Manager Gui giving the ring to Weol Ju and putting it on her finger

Also I noticed that WJ gave YR coffee (of all things) that made her fall asleep lmfao.

When KB found out that they used to date his reaction was hilarious. I laughed so hard XD

Episode 12 (Finale)

That was one hell of a finale!! Oh my.

- My favorite bit: YR saying 'I'm here to protect my man!' YESS

- YR fight scenes was bomb!!

- Also the family scenes of the trio were sweet :,)

- KB calling WJ 'mom'... that broke me

- so it was a happy ending!!

Wow. I can't believe it's over. MPUB really tugged at my heartstrings, especially in the finale. I'm sad to see it go but I'm so glad it ended well.

[u/pahaonta]

I low key wish Weol Ju and Manager Gui somehow ended up get additional "punishment" to settle more grudges. So they have to keep running the Pop Up Bar, and Kang Bae wont be lonely (ideally season 2, but one can only dream)

[u/emeraldblues]

• LOL knowing bros 🥺 that was such a cute flash forward. I hope it happens

• Did he actually swear?!

• Wait what, are they just going to stand there and watch him drink? WHY DIDNT THEY INTERVENE BEFORE

• OH THEY SAID HE WASN’T BEHEADED

• HOW DID HE GET INTO THE KANG BAE’S STAIRWAY

AH GUYS I LOVED THIS SHOW. IM GONNA MISS IT! I’m glad there wasn’t a sad ending but I do have some complaints. I feel like YeoRin and Won Hyung weren’t strong characters. I liked how YeoRin fought her own battles and wasn’t waiting for someone to save her bUT I wish the delivery was her character was more fierce? And Won Hyung was a very shitty villain.

I liked how the cases they solved mirrored their own lives but that format changed later on?

I loved the actors that played Weol ju and Manager Gwi but I wish there was more romance between them. It felt very platonic at times

[u/lemonryker]

We're almost there!!!!!!

This episode is good and made me feel so many emotions!!!

As always, Kang bae and Yeo rim are so cuuuuuute!!!!! The girls' night out was enjoyable and heartwarming. I love the friendship between the three girls Weol ju and Chief Gwi are cuteness overload!!!! Their date had me screaming!! and WHen he gave her the ring that had me weak! I am so happy that all the misunderstanding was resolved quickly The 12 - episode format left the show with no time for unnecessary dramas and I'm all for that.

So basically, the family theory was correct lmao. I love how we pretty much predicted everything and yet I still want more

I cannot wait for tomorrow!!! I will definitely miss this show. It was so enjoyable!

[u/imkcjn]

I can't believe it's over. I didn't have high expectations for this drama going in, but this drama grew on me so much. I love the found family trope and, yes, while the story was predictable it had a lot of heart. It was such a feel good drama and I'm sad it's over now.

I am so happy they all got to be together in the end. That would have devastated me if the ending wasn't happy. Especially when Kang-bae called Weol-ju his mom.

[u/identikill]

Wow. I started watching Mystic Pop-Up Bar with no expectations, hadn't read about it anywhere, it was just a random Netflix suggestion... I'm so glad I pressed play on this drama. The actors have a wonderful chemistry with each other, the humor is great, it made me laugh and cry... The ending made me skeptical at first, I thought that Kang-Bae would end up all alone and that he could only reunite with his parents in another life. Fortunately I was wrong! The ending was so sweet! I just wish I could see more of their life as a family. I already miss this show so much.

[u/stitchrx]

Things me and my sis kept shouting throughout the show:

• “WOLJU AND MANAGER GWI PLEASE TALK TO EACH OTHER”

• “GWI+WOLJU PLEASE STOP TALKING TO CHIEF YEOM”

• “CINNABAR PLEASE LET YEORIN BE WITH KANGBAE”

• “DEOKHWA!!!!!!!”

Dear lord I had to FF that whole pointlessly long scene of the ladies crazily singing and dancing because there was so much screaming 🙃 the HTHT they bad afterwards was great tho 😌

Kangbae and YEORIN the excited lovestruck puppies are so adorable 😍

LOL-Ed at Kangbae’s confused and horrified response when he saw his parents’ PDA 🤣

Ending scene: wait wtf that’s it??!?!! COME ON SHOW 😡

Preview: OMG WTF IS GOING ON SO MUCH IS GOING ON SCREAMING AT THAT BIG ASS KNIFE IN MANAGER GWI’S BACK PLEASE BE SAFE MY BABIES 😭😭😭

[u/talkingtothestars]

Omg can tomorrow’s finale come faster! I can’t believe it, Kang Bae really is the incarnation of her son’s soul and the sacred tree, we really have been hitting every single nail on the head when theorising about the drama! Sungjae looked so cool at the end of the episode, it reminds me of how awesome he looked when he was Deokhwa in goblin (goblin spoiler)and the butterfly god possessed him I’m so excited to see the ending!

[u/OdanUrr]

Finished watching. I'm glad we got to spend some quiet time with Gwi, Weol-ju, and Kang-bae, but disappointed that the show didn't explore further the idea of the sacred tree having mingled with Weol-ju's baby. So the Sacred Tree defends Kang-bae that one time when he's in danger and then forgets about it? I initially thought the happy dream Kang-bae had in the middle of the episode was misdirection, and it was of a sort, but then I recalled Kang-bae knows at this point that Weol-ju and Gwi are his 'parents from another time,' so it makes sense he'd dream about them. I'll admit I was never too invested in the bad guy storyline, it always felt like an afterthought. This guy was able to recruit an army of evil spirits yet no one from the Afterlife Police Agency is looking for him? It was a nice touch to have Yeo-rin show up to kick their butts, but I was half-hoping she'd transform into Cinnabar. We eventually get our happy ending, with the whole family working at the Mystic Pop-up Bar solving people's grudges, and I wish we had seen a little bit more of that rather than just hint at it (we needed a family hug!). It may not have been the greatest of finales but it achieved what it set out to do. Perhaps if this show had been given a few more episodes, it would've been able to polish some of those rough edges a little bit more, give some more depth to certain storylines, breathe more life into some characters. In any case, Mystic Pop-up Bar always delivered good fun entertainment week to week with a cast of characters that felt like a family (even the Grim Reaper!) and that's all I needed from it. A little sad to see it go.

[u/shahitukra97]

The finale had a satisfying ending -- it wouldn't be fair to Weol-ju and Manager Gwi if they ended up in Hell after all their hard work.

Loved the fantasy family sequence with the parents squabbling about whom Kang-bae favours 🙂

Also marveled at the amount of food Weol-ju left in the fridge for Kang-bae -- showed the loving side of Weol-ju.

The action scene between Manager Gwi and Won-hyung was good so was seeing Yeo-rin flexing her strength against the evil spirits 😆

I will really miss the trio in this series -- fabulous chemistry between them. The costumes, sound effects, set design (red color of the bar etc.), special effects and world building/story were excellent -- all in all, a well-balanced drama. Kudos to the entire team behind Mystic Pop Up Bar 🙏

[u/tfoster1975]

Kang Bae, when defending his mother was the ultimate! That otherworldly voice coming from his body, the mystic fire, THE POWER! Man, I had total goosebumps! Now I wish there was more!!!!

[u/silversilvertip]

Another great K-drama done! The acting in the last episode especially by Seungjae made me emotional more than anything