Kmadness Asianaddict: Panda and Hedgehog Episode 1 Review

The title of this drama that I’ve just started is called Panda and Hedgehog, 판다양과 고슴도치 (Pandayanggwa Goseumdochi). It aired last year from August 18 till October 7 of 2012. This romantic comedy series consists of 16 episodes. The first episode so far was just okay for me, others might disagree. Although the first episode wasn't as satisfactory as I though, there is something about the drama that wants me to keep watching it and finish it to the end. If anything, it was probably that that little scene at the end of episode 1, usually happens, right? The "cliffhanger". Now, if you’re a fan of K-pop and K-dramas, you’ll probably notice that the main character is Lee Donghae from Super Junior. Since I'm bringing Donghae up, he might also be another factor, since I'm such a big fan of Super Junior.

What's it about?

The story is basically about Go Seung Ji (Donghae), a patissier, who's been an orphan since his childhood. His personality matches his nickname hedgehog “gruff and prickly”. Towards the end of episode 1, he meets the female lead, Pan Da Yang (Yoon Seung Ah). Her personality is sweet natured and easy going who also has the nickname Panda. Hence the title of the drama, Panda and Hedgehog and her name, literally. Panda hires Seung Ji as the new patissier of her café, Panda Café. They team up and work together to make her café a success while also competing with the popular Saint- Honore bakery.

Now that’s just the basic story line. As a person who knows K-dramas, that’s not just going to be what Panda and Hedgehog is going to be about, there’s always more to the story and things always get complicated.

At first watch, the drama was okay for me. Of course, I liked Donghae’s character, a cool character with edge. The opening scene is him chasing a guy out of a bakery shop he works at. Then the female lead is also introduced, played by Yoo Seung Ah. I personally didn’t like her at first. I don’t like how she acts “cute”, but hopefully she'll eventually grow on me..hopefully. But her character is introduced when she is in a panda suit passing out flyers to advertise her café. You’ll see throughout the first episode that she struggles to make ends meet with her failing business.

The next character introduced is Choi Won Il, the president of Saint Honore Bakery. He returns from studying in America. From the interaction with his patissier father and his doting mother, you can tell the relationship they have isn’t very close. He definitely shows in his actions that he's not very fond of them. His sister on the other hand, is shown favor and it seems their brother and sister relationship is friendly and easy going.

Another character in the beginning of the story is Seung Ji's gradpa and owner of a bakery shop. His character is shown with a older female and they possibly could be lovers. Now I know for a fact that the man Seung Ji works for isn’t just some boss. He has some significant part in the story, so I anticipate when the story really unfolds and what role he has.

When Pan Da puts her resume in to apply to Saint Honre Bakery, Won Il spots her picture while looking at the resumes and immediately recognizes her as the girl who went to high school with him. His first and last love. Towards the end of the episode, he goes to see her at her café, but soon leaves when he sees her in the arms of the handsome Seung Ji. Of course he takes the whole situation as a misunderstanding.

Overall the first episode was a little slow, but I think that’s to be expected as it is for most dramas. The first episode was obviously just the introduction of the characters and their situations. Since I already started on the second episode, I know that I’m going to watch all sixteen episodes. Luckily if this drama doesn’t reach my expectation, at least I get to see a lot of Donghae action!

Here are some screen shots from ep 1: