Shall I Have a Cup of Coffee? (2021)

A small act of kindness (in the form of a cup of coffee) CAN make a difference

"Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?" is a very heartwarming and thoughtful drama centred around Kang Go-bi (played by Ong Seong-wu), a highly-motivated young man who welcomes change and Park Seok (played by Park Ho-san), the selfless owner of '2Dae Coffee' who's not so accustomed to change having run his quaint coffee shop alone for over 20 years.

Despite Park Seok's unfamiliarity with change, he gives customers of any background a warm welcome and aims to bring positive change into their lives with a humble cup of coffee and an open mind as his medium. Kang Go-bi is similarly inclined and, although some customers may intially hit a nerve causing Go-bi to become short-tempered, he has similar goals to the coffee shop owner and wishes to change peoples' lives for the better with '2Dae Coffee's magic formula.

Though the plot may not be extremely engaging or have you on the edge of your seat, it's a nice watch to wind down after a long day and carries the important message of 'a small act of kindness can make a difference'. Overall, a very feel-good miniseries with a relaxing atmosphere and a good message to take away.

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12 beautifully pulled shots of coffee

Would You Like a Cup of Coffee? is a KakaoTV production spanning 12 episodes, each being 25-30 mins long. Highlighting the ordinary and simpler things life has to offer, it is a heartwarming story of people, and of course-coffee!
The drama starts off with one of our lead characters, Kang Go Bi, seen exiting an exam hall after having failed to clear the civil service examination for what appears to be, not his first attempt at it. Struggling to find the right words, he texts his mom about it and is met with an encouraging and supportive response. The conversation ends with him deciding to get himself a cup of coffee and start preparing for the exam once again. It is for this cup of coffee that he stumbles upon 2nd Generation Coffee House and we get introduced to the owner and other lead, Park Seok. This cup of coffee that he gets served at the café is what awakens and confirms his passion for coffee, giving him a dream for his future and the determination to pursue the world of coffee.

Would You Like a Cup of Coffee is all about the microcosm of the coffee house and its atmosphere, and it pretty much excels at it. You don't have to be a coffee connoisseur yourself to be able to understand the emotion that goes into a job well done, or the passion behind the pursuit of perfection. There is nothing quite dramatic or exciting in the course of this series and its beauty lies in the fact that it is a story as ordinary as one can get.

The main characters, Park Seok and Go Bi complement each other rather beautifully, and it's their mentor-mentee relationship that makes this drama what it is. The other characters, either recurring or not, are sketched out sparsely, and are mostly used as tools to get a message across to the viewers.
The actors playing the main leads have done a great job and are convincingly passionate about coffee...it was wonderful to see how they gradually got comfortable with each other over a shared interest, as the drama progressed.

The cinematography and direction are worth mentioning, for each frame, each scene of this drama is aesthetically pleasing, subtle and artistic. The sort of sepia tone used in capturing this series is rather perfect and really sets the mood for it.

The format of this drama is like a potpourri of different types of people and themes, that leave lingering messages for the viewer to mull over. And just like a cup of coffee, it isn't a drama that should be gulped down in one go but something that should be savoured, enjoying one sip at a time. The episodes almost always provide a sense of closure to the viewer, yet leave it open to interpretation, and the balance struck in maintaining the two is seamless!
This drama doesn't have elements that would give it a mass appeal, but rather caters to a fewer number of people, all of whom would whole-heartedly enjoy this sweet, nuanced, slice-of-life story.

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Quality nuanced content

Listen, I'm not a fan of mini-series shows. They're usually underfinanced, undercasted and don't have enough runtime to properly explore their themes and leave an impression on the audience, I personally view it as a tool utlilised in the industry to make fast, easily consumed content similar to fast food. Nothing wrong with enjoying, fast, consumable and compromised- quality content ( I'm not one to look down on a sixteen hour c-drama where the CEO gets the gal). But it still doesn't make them into "a good memorable drama".

"Shall we have a cup of coffee?" has been my favourite mini-series in my eight years of watching and enjoying various types and styles of dramas across five different countries. Each episode goes off on a tangent, with just a hint of conflict and climax near the end ( patiently spoon fed to the audience). It's beautifully filmed and scripted with a very limited but tasteful OST. The actors weren't perfect but they knew what they were doing. They understood what the drama warranted, which made their performances so deeply enjoyable. Each episode was just a like a warm calming cup of coffee or any other drink the reader thinks to be comforting and delicious. Like a small break to take within the fast pace of life to slow down but not drouse, to savour and think. I've learned so much about coffee and I came to care about the characters. Mostly, I fell into awe of how a show can have such little going but still manage to have so much substance. I'll watch this show again, no doubt.

I also wanted to mention how I found the show. The trailer ended up in my youtube algorithm. I clicked it, thinking it was a BL a minute in. Uh. It was not. The company clarified this in the comments as well ( which was very funny to me). Actually there wasn't any romance in it at all. Which is why I didn't wanna watch it. How immersive can another cafe show be? I constantly look for immersive, dopamine boosted shows that'll distract me from my problems ( this usually ends up being romance). I'm so glad I took a chance and watched this. I also know Korea is not forgiving to mainstream actors doing LGBTQ content, so I'm glad netizens can't shit on this show. The chemistry between the actor of the cafe owner and Go-Bi was so insanely good in its inintensity, I'm sure a lot people will think it's a shame. I personally don't mind the father/son relationship they chose on. I enjoyed the amazing one on one chemistry nonetheless.

I spent a lot of time trying to think of a fault this show might have. I tried. I really did.

It's not squid games, it won't give you goose bumps and it won't put you on the edge of your seat. It's supposed to be a dreamy and sweet show, as clearly intended by the creators. It's pretty easy to gage what the show wants you to feel, and it's not trying to be like mainstream, story oriented dramas. The only thing I could think of, is that it must be niche type of content targeted to a specific audience. I don't understand the low ratings for this show, probably because I am exactly the type of viewer this show was made for. Which is why I hope more people learn about this show, and more of these niche viewers can cherish and enjoy this show.

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12 varied cups of coffee

This drama is one of Dramalands mot fitting names. Each episode is just like a cup of coffee for the coffee lover, but I am sure you can convert it to tea if coffee as a whole is not your thing. Most cups are just perfect and a must that will wake you up or give you a nice moment but the first cup of the day is the best and once you have had 2 or three you feel like it´s enough for the day. You still want to drink coffee later on or the next day. And so is the show, It will leave you satisfied but not wanting more right away.

Again much like different people like different types of coffee not all of the episodes where my type of coffee, while some had the perfect balance to suit my taste. Others did not.

Character wise there are a few slightly annoying guest characters but overall the cast is well fitted. The relationships shown are varied and almost as sweet as the confectenaris made in the bakery down the street.

The use of umbrellas is subtle but well made, guesting some pretty impressive and unusual uses for umbrellas (in a drama, I do not know about seul) and with great symbolism enhancing some of the dramas most beautiful scenes.

I highly recommend people to watch this, one episode a day or so, that way it will last longer and you will be able to enjoy each cup to the fullest.

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A Drama Which Will Try To Warm Your Heart…

KakaoTV’s miniseries ‘ Would You Like A Cup Of Coffee?’ is based upon manwha writer and artist Heo Young-man’s ( known for his original adapted-webcomics such as ‘ Gaksital’ and ‘ Tazza’, )original titled work ‘ How About A Cup Of Coffee?’ ( also known as ‘ 커피 한잔 할까요?’ ) and attempts to offer viewers a heartwarming cup of the slice-of-life genre.

The storyline focuses on main lead Kang Gobi (played by Seongwu Ong) - a college student who initially failed his examinations. After talking to his mother in a heart-to-heart conversation over the phone Gobi finds himself down-beaten and decides to sit down at a nearby coffee shop where he first meets Park Seok ( Park Ho-San). The owner of the cafe ‘Second Coffee’, Park Seok is naturally doubtful when Kang Gobi asks to become his student. However as Gobi begins training under the seemingly austere hand of the master barista, he begins to unveil the value of coffee to different individuals and customers throughout the storyline.

With a compacted plot due to its episodes’ duration time (an average of half-hour episodes), it’s unsurprising that the miniseries’ minimal storyline has lead to a divisive response amongst audiences.

This isn’t necessarily to say that ‘ Would You Like A Cup Of Coffee?’ ‘s plot is “ dull ” or “ prosaic”. The storyline may have been basic and offered a mostly platonic setup ( with only brief romantic hints or spurred-on misunderstandings which are soon resolved), it admittedly did give the miniseries many opportunities to explore more heartwarming storylines and bonds between characters .

However a natural downfall for these seemingly sweet storylines could often come across as lacking a more impactful and emotional punch for viewers. This was often as a consequence of each episode being built upon the same loose structural foundation; an initial introduction to a character , the presented dilemma and then often a quick-fixed solution or revelation by the end of each episode- not always necessarily a bad approach per say, but it didn’t always facilitate towards giving a more hard-hitting revelation for viewers which ( time limits aside) could’ve easily been wormed into scenes throughout the series .

Whilst admittedly it often felt as though camera angles could be a letdown for conveying more emotive scenes and emphasis on characters, the cinematography is masterful within its focus upon minimalist shades and palettes surrounding the cafe. The emphasis of beiges and light browns presented a warm-hearted and easygoing ambience in scenes surrounding the cafe- a microcosm world of safety and comfort for its customers and two baristas, as they shield away from the striking mundane reality of everyday life in the outside world .

The acting remained a strong forte for the miniseries. It was admittedly not flawless ( with certain performances remaining more questionable than others), but Park Ho-San and Seongwu Ong’s dynamic and naturally gradual mentor-teacher chemistry certainly became one of the major highlights for audiences. In addition to this ‘ Would You Like A Cup Of Coffee? ’ takes a pragmatic approach within its small niche of main and reoccurring characters - inclusive enough for audiences to understand their different roles and personalities , but arising to some more explorative issues also.

Kang Gobi is our main lead of the series. A “ self-conscious and downtrodden youth”, Kang Gobi’s facilitated character growth comes through his developed passion for coffee. Yet whilst Gobi admittedly did offer audiences with solidarity through being able to relate to similar struggles , it is honest to note that his character did often fall short of being an “everyday hero” due to sometimes lacking more subtle character growth through his journey rarely feeling more gradual, alongside lacking social or familial bonds outside of the storyline or prior to events ( with only a brief insight with his mother) to make him feel more like a sentient character .

The second male lead of the miniseries Park Seok embodies the typical “ sagacious master”archetype. The deuteragonist of the miniseries is mysterious, level-headed and a man of few words, but Seok is a surprisingly heartwarming character against all odds for audiences ; austere and aloof to begin with, but proving himself to be a sincere and supportive mentor and friend throughout different obstacles that Gobi faced in the series.

However Park Seok could often feel like an insipid character onscreen. With Seok’s archetype as a “ mysterious” archetypical main lead, the element of mystique is often key to piquing viewers’ interests and fascination. However where writers can often present opportunities for these characters to grow can be through revelations of their personality, identity and flaws which can sometimes purposefully change or at least shape a different perception upon characters for viewers . Admittedly whilst we gain some insight into Park Seok being widely revered by coffee connoisseurs as well as having unlikely social circles , we rarely had more opportunities to explore moments where Seok’s “ stoic” facade could be broken often rarely giving viewers an insight of his “ human” side through more emotive feelings or reactions.

There’s also the reoccurring side characters of the series who pragmatically exist to keep the storyline moving ( leading to some tender as well as wasted character opportunities); Kim Joo-hee ( Seo Young-hee)- a coffee lover and music columnist who shared a profound relationship with Park Seok and regularly visited the coffee shop , high schooler and part-time bakery worker Ga On ( Choo Ye Jin); a regular visitor who after an initial misunderstanding with Gobi, developed a friendship with the main lead and Ahn Min Na (Kim Ye Eun); a tired webcomic artist who is a regular customer at the cafe.

Then of course there’s the ending of the series; arguably without its problems by leaving some loose ends for viewers, but appropriate and without its more bittersweet edge either.


So what is left to say about the miniseries? Is it worth watching, or is it a waste of time? ‘ Would You Like A Cup Of Coffee?’ is similar to what its drama-title suggests; those expecting a darkly deep and powerful storyline with flawless and memorable execution and writing, may be slightly underwhelmed by the finished product of the miniseries. However for those who wish to indulge in the rich creamy sweetness of an easygoing and laidback binge-watch , alongside a fairy fast-paced plot and some heartwarming moments on the side, then ‘ Would You Like A Cup Of Coffee?’ is an ideal-watch.

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Warm and cozy; bound to make you feel fuzzy inside

"Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?" is a great choice if you want a healing drama. Not to mention, a perfect pick for coffee lovers as well.

If we're talking about side plots, a story like this has limitless possibilities. Each character had a story to tell, and while some of the stories were a little lacklustre, I found many of the characters to be entertaining to watch.

The two male leads, as well as the supporting/recurring actresses/actors, performed admirably. I only have one gripe: Han Ji Ho. He portrays Seo Young Hoon, a cheater who attempts to extort money from his ex-wife. He was terrible at acting. I don't mind if an actor or actress has amateurish abilities, but his was just plain bad.

Kang Go Bi is exactly the type of character I adore. He has flaws. He makes errors. Like, a  lot of them. But he gets better every time. He never gives up. I have a lot of respect for these characters! They are very inspiring to me, ngl. Choi Hurt is another one of my favourites. He's direct, a little rude, and lacks a filter. But he keeps it 100% authentic. He's another type of character I admire, especially because I'm the polar opposite of him: a people-pleaser who avoids conflict.

The music is very relaxing, which fits perfectly with the vibe of the drama. Sadly, nothing stood out.

It was nice watching this drama. I think it would've been a better choice to watch this alongside a fast-paced crime drama, because sometimes it felt a bit boring.

aight byeee~

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A perfect cup of coffee

I liked this a lot. On the surface it's a gentle, quietly humorous little slice of life with small, simple 25-minute stories set around a backstreet coffeeshop, its charming owner and his new apprentice, and their customers. It embodies that coffeeshop vibe to perfection: slow, peaceful rainy days filmed beautifully in coffee tones to a lo-fi soundtrack that soothes and comforts. But it's also about how surfaces can be misleading, how nothing is as simple or as easy as it seems, and a whole heap of other things, like change and growth and failure and how we deal with them; and it deftly uses the production of the perfect cup of coffee as an analogy for all of this in a delightfully interesting way. It was a treat for the eyes and the ears, and heartwarming without being sugary. I savored it, felt better after having it and really wanted more of it.

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Hot coffee with a spoon of life lessons.

Would You Like a Cup of Coffee? is a perfect morning drama to accompany your coffee - setting you up for a good day.

The show presents a variety of episodic stories linked together by the 2nd Generation Cafe. With a short format of 25 minutes per episode, the viewers might feel like the stories were told in an insufficient manner, never explored enough, ever going too deep into the tackled matter. For me, that’s what I enjoyed about it. They expressed the ideas enough to make me entertained as I was watching, but left me with enough space to wonder about the topics myself. They opened the door and it was up to me whenever I wanted to close them or take a step inside.

The on-screen chemistry between Ong Seong Wu and Park Ho San was amazing. Well presented mentor-mentee dynamics that we don’t see much in dramas - pointing out the value of both: years of experience, but also the perseverance and determination of the youth.

With a cast full of well known names in both main and guest roles, the acting left nothing to ask for. Each character had their own colors that were portrayed perfectly on the screen - even if it was just a smaller role.

That said, this show can be truly enjoyed only in the mornings. I have seen one episode late afternoon and the magic was gone - it just did not hit right. It’s not a drama you would want to binge watch, but it’s a show that made me come back every week to get my own dose of warm feeling to start my day on a positive note.

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Coffee innit....

A decent concept but the drama didn't hit well with me. I didn't like either of the main leads nor was I interested in their boring sappy personal story. The support characters and their stories were slightly better. You better off just drink a cup of coffee anyway.

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I'll drink this cup, even though I don't like coffee.

The most stressful parts of this series are the previews for the next episode.

This is a slow-paced slice-of-life drama, and although it addresses heavier topics (illness, death, financial problems, social injustice etc.), all the episodes end on a positive note.

Each episode focuses on one question or person -- but there are enough recurring characters from the neighbourhood that the shop feels like a part of the community.
The coffee shop is not just a backdrop for the stories, but the process of making a cup of coffee and the pleasure of drinking it are a integral part of the series -- even I, who do not like to drink coffee, was tempted to go and try some of these. In later episodes, the focus tends toward the beans and their origins, and that lost me a bit; my investment in the characters was strong enough to continue regardless.

Also, I liked that they incorporated the pandemic -- a lot of shows just ignore it, even though it has had a huge impact on most of us over the last few years.

The open but hopeful ending suited the slice-of-life theme of the whole show -- life does not have a Happily Ever After.

All in all, I can recommend it.
Although the show reminds me of Japanese shows like "Rokuhoudou" oder "Three Star Bar", it lacks that certain je ne sais quoi that those shows have -- so it's worth watching and I enjoyed every minute of it, but I don't think I'll be coming back.

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Kind gesture goes a long way.

The relaxed summer vibe this show gives is amazing, i drank coffee for every episode. I loved the pretty colour palette, and the way they dressed and how it was almost sunny. This show is amazing to watch when you long for summer.

It also made me appriciate coffee more than I used to. I really like how Go Bi got to fail alot in the beginning and then see what happens in episode 8. I just love how the show suggest the world could be if people just were more kind to each other.

This is defenetly one of the better shows from Korea, and i just love how focused it is.

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