First Impression: Hello, Me!

Drama Profile

Title: Hello, Me! (English title) / Hello? It’s Me! (literal title)
Main Cast: Choi Kang-hee, Lee Re, Kim Young-kwang, Eun Moon-suk
Writer: Yoo Song-yi
PD: Lee Hyun-seok
Timeslot: Wednesdays and Thursday 21:30
Network: KBS2
Episodes: 16
Genre: Romantic comedy, Fantasy

Plot Synopsis: A miserable 37-year-old woman meets her spunky 17-year-old self in a bizarre circumstance.

Major Tropes: Time travel, Spoiled chaebol

Grumpy’s First Impression:

This is fun! It’s a different kind of fun, and could be weird for some. The humor is not for everyone, but romantic comedies produced by KBS are oftentimes over-the-top and unassuming.

Hello, Me! introduces us to Bahn Ha-ni (Choi Kang-hee), a woman who still struggles to find her place in this world despite her age. She has lost her will to live and has no purpose or dream to chase. And on a very unlucky day, her 17-year-old self (Lee Re) mysteriously popped up in front of her. We still don’t know why or how this happened, but one thing is for sure. Bahn Ha-ni has the potential for awesome character development towards the end of this series. With just two episodes in, I’m already looking forward to her self-improvement. The 17-year-old Bahn Ha-ni is oozing with self-confidence, which could knock the present-day Ha-ni out of her melancholy.

I initially wanted to label this drama as “rich guy meets poor girl” type but then I’m kind of bothered by the current state of Han Yoo-hyun (Kim Young-kwang). He’s a different bred of spoiled brat! He values his pride more than his dignity. LOL. Watching his penniless bum suffer so much is what drives the comedy in the drama.

I’m not familiar with the novel where the story was based, but I think both our lead characters are doing a great job in making us root for their success. Yoo-hyun needs to mature somehow while Ha-ni needs to reinvent herself. Both of them severely need help and I think we’ll see more of their chemistry moving forward. Romantically though, I have to be honest with you, I still don’t see them as a potential couple. I haven’t warmed up to them as the drama’s OTP, but their individual growth I’m fully invested in.

UNCENSORED THOUGHTS

🦑 Ha-ni’s guilt-tripping boss could pass as a character in Penthouse.

🦑 The visuals in this cameo is immaculate! Is this Jang Ki-yong and Lee Soo-hyuk’s way of making up for the disaster that was Born Again? Hehe just kidding. Their appearance is in support of the drama’s PD Lee Hyun-seok, who was Born Again‘s co-director. Not to mention, they’re both good friends of Kim Young-kwang, too!