The Mr. Plankton Effect, A Review

 This was unexpected. A 10-episode story about a drifter and an orphan, both abandoned, both longing for love, found home in each other.

This is Mr. Plankton for me, in a nutshell. But I have never thought this was more than just the romcom I thought it would be.

Haejo and Jaemi, used to be lovers. He found out he was dying and got Jaemi to go with him in his adventures, on her wedding day. The groom was devastated, of course. And here we start to get to know the characters in this wonderful drama.

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We learn that they still love each other. Haejo has this big abandonment issue that he tends to push people away, people who love him. But deep inside he's longing for the love that he once felt from his father. 

Jaemi wanted to go back to his fiancé. But along the way, she realizes how much she still loves Haejo and stays. And with that comes the consequence of leaving her groom behind. 

Was it really a sad ending?

It may be. It may be not. For Haejo has lived a full life. He may not realize it, but he was so loved.

With that last scene, of Haejo and Jaemi saying their I love You's, you would think, this is it. Haejo's gone. 

This will forever mess me up 😭 #MrPlanktonpic.twitter.com/ZTLGfqgrDi

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LoveInTheBigCity (@NoonaChronicles) November 9, 2024

You see, Haejo may have been a drifter, but he was deeply cared for. Bongsun and Kkari always stood by him, and neither of them is related to him by blood. Yet, they’d do anything for him. 

In one of his dreams, he said he wanted to be a plankton. And I started to realize why.

This is why the drama is called #MrPlankton 😔 pic.twitter.com/IfCNv4KZX4

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LoveInTheBigCity (@NoonaChronicles) November 10, 2024

Plankton might be one of the lowliest creatures in the ocean, and Haejo relates to that. Yet, plankton is crucial, producing the oxygen we all rely on to survive. Haejo needs to see that he, too, is just as vital. His influence on those around him—whether directly or indirectly—has helped them grow in meaningful ways, and we see this in the way they care for him.

Even Eo Heung, whom we’d expect to resent him, has developed a surprisingly deep relationship with him.

Now, to be clear, I don’t condone what Haejo has done—that’s a conversation for another time. Eo Heung has every right to feel angry. But how did this bond form? I think it stems from a mutual understanding of each other's circumstances. In some way, Haejo has helped Eo Heung tap into his potential as an individual—not just as someone following his mother’s orders, but as someone who can embrace his own capabilities and act on them.

I wouldn't have expected it.
But the relationship they built was beautiful.#MrPlankton pic.twitter.com/jm8TrFeinB

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LoveInTheBigCity (@NoonaChronicles) November 11, 2024

What about Bongsun? She’s the woman who "adopted" Haejo, raised him, and took him in as her own. Their relationship is complex—she loves him deeply and would do anything to protect him. In her heart, she believes he saved her first, by rescuing her from loneliness and giving her the companionship she longed for.

As for Kkari, I know him as Haejo’s helper. Though he’s betrayed him many times to save himself, in the end, he proved his loyalty. In any situation, if it means bringing Haejo happiness, he’s more than willing to do whatever it takes.

No regrets. Haejo did everything he wanted to do before he said goodbye. He reunited with his father, even for just a moment he got that embrace he's been longing for so long. He found a brother in Eo Heung, who comforted him in ways he know how. He was surrounded by Bongsun and Kkari when it's almost "time to go". And he decided to be with Jaemi.

And I started crying again 😢 #MrPlanktonpic.twitter.com/7CGJntkz0q

— Subeom Noona 🏝 🍉 💍 #LoveInTheBigCity (@NoonaChronicles) November 10, 2024

So, when I say "Goodbye, Mr. Plankton", it's not just to bid farewell to Haejo.

It's to say thank you for the many memories he gave to his father, to Bongsun, to Kkari, to Eo Heung and most especially to Jaemi. They were very colorful memories indeed and will always be remembered. 

In that car, going into the sunset, I want to believe that Haejo is still there. Driving with Jaemi. Going on more adventures together, Full of love, ready to make new memories together. 

If you haven't watched this yet. Please do. And be ready to cry. Tons.