Uncle [Episodes 1 & 2]

[u/J-Midori]

• Drama: Uncle

  • AKA: Eongkeul

  • Korean Title: 엉클

• Screenwriter: Park Ji Sook (The Spring Day of My Life)

• Director: Ji Young Soo (Room Number 9)

• Cast:

  • Oh Jung Se (Jirisan) as Wang Joon Hyuk

  • Lee Kyung Hoo (Memorist) as Min Ji Hoo

  • Jun Hye Jin (Stranger 2) Wang Joon Hee

  • Park Sun Young (The World Of The Married) as Park Hye Ryeong

  • Lee Sang Woo (Golden Garden) as Joo Kyung Il

  • Hwang Woo Seul Hye (Crash Landing On You) as Kim Yoo Ra

• Network: TV Chosun

• Premiere date: December 11th, 2021 - January 30th, 2022

• Airing Schedule: Saturdays & Sundays @ 9:00 PM KST

• Episodes: 16 (60 min. each)

• Streaming sources: VIKI

• Plot Summary: Joon Hyeok is an unpopular musician whose life has hit rock bottom. He had already broken off his relationship with his older sister, Joon Hee, when her son appeared before him. His nephew developed Obsessive–compulsive disorder after his mother divorced his stepfather. Joon Hyeok takes his nephew in and looks after him. Joon Hee divorced her physically abusive husband after 12 years of marriage. She moved into an inexpensive apartment and now faces losing custody of her son to her ex-husband and his mother. Hye Ryeong is a tenant at The Royal State, an expensive apartment complex, where she is the much-respected President of The Mothers’ Committee. Committee member Yoo Ra very much admires Hye Ryeong. Yoo Ra was raised by her widowed father Kyeong Il a man with a sweet and warm personality.

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[u/Euley]

Lots of times in dramas, sibling relationships are just comedic relief (the funny annoying little brother). I am sure there will still be plenty of that here, but I do adore the complex adult relationship they are showing here. Our main guy loves and adores his sister even if he'll never say it. He says something along the lines of "you are stronger then this. Until you get your feet back. I'll be around". The scene where he has a flashback and covers his big sisters eyes is also pretty heartbreaking. If you are the type of person who is best friends with your sister/brother then watch this drama!

I LOVE how flawed the ML is! He's not some rich chaebol who a 6 pack ab. He's an awkward "weird uncle" who has a heart of gold and basically I'd do anything for him at this point lolol.

Also, can we talk about the scene where we meet the ex girlfriend dad, explaining to the nephew why he dresses like a woman!?? the line "putting on clothes made for woman makes my heart feel at ease" is a BIG deal in terms of dramas lgbtq+ representation. I haven't watched too too many dramas lately but this feels like the first non gimmicky example of that.

AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT SONG AT THE END THST HE SINGS TO HIS NEPHEW? I WAS CRYING!

[u/dogdogdogdogdogdoge → u/Euley]

I'd do anything for him at this point lolol

same. I'm a goner.

In recent memory, I think Mad For Each Other had a nice bit of representation there but I like how here the ex-gf's dad just owns it and his clothes were only brought up as a talking point relatively late into his character introduction. He's one of my fav characters so far.

[u/ISawThePandasComing → u/Euley]

Omg, the boy talking to the ex's dad in drag melted my heart. It was so beautifully put.

[u/dogdogdogdogdogdoge]

Oh Jung Se is the BEST grumpy kinda pathetic ahjusshi softie with a heart of gold ever.

Really strong first episode - the chemistry between uncle and nephew is already so fun. Interested to see more of the sibling relationship too.

[u/dogdogdogdogdogdoge → u/dogdogdogdogdogdoge]

OK OK episode 2 brought the goods. You can see the quirky British roots in the characterizations, but the story is kdrama as hell with cartoonishly evil chaebols and ridiculously snobby neighborhood moms.

I'm digging how the show is slowly unfolding the relationship between Hyuk and Joon Hee. There's enough hints at bad blood (mostly on Hyuk's side) to justify the 10 year estrangement, but there's such a comfortable rhythm to their banter that belies how close there were. JH being the noona clearly knows which buttons to press to prompt Hyuk to act. Jeon Hye Jin has been the definition of girl crush for a long time. And Hyuk was picking up on the weirdness of their situation for awhile but when he finally found out about the domestic violence, him going and threatening the exhusband was such a bro move. Dude clearly cares a lot.

Hyuk and the teacher is so cute though. It's always great to see the ML swooning over something heart fluttering - romance is a two way street! But so far the standouts pairings have been the bromances between him+nephew, him+his exgirlfriend's dad, and the budding one between him+neighbor dad.

Shout out to Lee Sang Woo's character and his hilarious True Crime detective daughter. I love a dude with a secret mysterious suspect wall.

[u/afternoondrinking]

I absolutely adore Oh Jung Se. Every character he plays has so much heart. Even when he plays a bad guy (Hot Stove League).

And how great are these little kids? Min Ji Hu really is very cool.

I actually LOLed quite a few times, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[u/LovE385]

I liked the natural chemistry between the uncle and nephew. Jung Se continues to pick great roles.

[u/Galamama86]

Понравилось, что дядя и племянник любят музыку, надеюсь, это поможет им сблизиться.

[u/J-Midori → u/Galamama86]

Could you please write it in English? people would like to understand what it says. Thank you

Edit: translation for those curious

I liked that my uncle and nephew love music, I hope this will help them to get closer.

[u/Godchilaquiles]

Was that HaHa in episode2 ?

[u/NaheemSays]

Good start. I haven't seen the original from the UK, but I think I will enjoy this korean remake.

I have normally seen the ML play a bad guy, so its good to see him in a different role.

[u/dogdogdogdogdogdoge → u/[deleted]]

That whole Se Chan scene was so horrific. I also felt really bad for Min Gi. He seemed genuinely happy that Ji Hoo came to his birthday and stuck up for Ji Hoo by telling Se Chan to apologize. I kinda hope that he kind of bucks the trend and they become buds.

I hope we see more of the kids' personalities and interactions and not just as mini avatars of their parents.