I was thrilled when the production of So Not Worth It was announced. And that was because it meant the revival of the sitcoms, which captivated small screens with laughter from the late 90s to the late 2000s, such as Soonpoong Clinic, High Kick, and Nonstop. However, now that I have finished watching it, IŌĆÖm more disappointed than I ever expected. Overall, the comedy is weak, and the plot in some of the episodes is far-fetched, even for a sitcom. Plus, the A-list cameos didnŌĆÖt quite fit in the story. Fortunately, the characters seem to find their places from episode 6, and the series belatedly shows off its charm. Yet, it wasnŌĆÖt enough to satisfy those who expected the grand revival of a classic sitcom. So, why do we still want a sequel? The answer lies within the potential of the work. LetŌĆÖs break it down to three reasons. ┬Ā
Too Big of a Picture to Show It All in 12 Episodes
Set in a college dorm, So Not Worth It comically captures the daily lives of young international students with various unique personalities. Sitcoms tend to have a slow build-up process compared to other works. Even the legendary sitcoms we remember showed low ratings and popularity in the beginning. So, as the story progresses, it slowly builds up a meticulously planned worldview, makes the characters come alive, and doubles the fun. The same goes for So Not Worth It. Se Wan and Jamie just started dating, and we still donŌĆÖt know where Hyun Min, who got kicked out of the dorm, will stay. There are still a ton of directions that the story can expand on. With that being said, if they close the curtain on the 12th episode, all these fun attempts would go to waste. ┬Ā
WeŌĆÖre Just Starting to Get Attached to the Characters
ItŌĆÖs not that we need season 2 simply because the first season was too short. The biggest reason is that weŌĆÖre just starting to get attached to the characters. There will be no exaggeration in saying that the sitcom genre is a charactersŌĆÖ game. When we look back at the project we loved, the names and personalities of the characters come to mind before the specific episodes. Like how people feel awkward at first but slowly bond as time goes by, the sitcom characters win our hearts amidst the storyŌĆÖs ups and downs. To be honest, I had some concerns about the characters in So Not Worth It. Since the story is set in a dorm for international students, there is a slew of foreign actors. I worried what if their Korean or acting is not very good. Fortunately, the leading actors ŌĆō Carson Allen, Terris, Minnie, and Yoa Kim ŌĆō all showed solid performances. In fact, each character showed a typical characteristic within Korean society and added fun to the story. For example, Carson became an interesting yet typical ŌĆ£kkondaeŌĆØ character (condescending old man), and Yoa Kim brought a burst of joyful laughter as a stiff and stubborn man. As the episodes go on, they become more like friends figures at any college rather than foreign strangers, narrowing the distance between the viewers and characters. In particular, Han Hyun MinŌĆÖs performance is fantastic. His part of the story is quite pitiful and sad in many ways. And the ridiculous events, which he stumbles upon, make a good comedy scene. Overall, as the story flows, the character becomes more solid, leading to a bigger laugh. Leaving the awkward first encounter behind, I think IŌĆÖll miss them very much if the series ends here because IŌĆÖve finally started to grow fonds of these characters. ┬Ā
The ŌĆ£PitifulnessŌĆØ that Emphasizes the ŌĆ£LaughterŌĆØ
The somewhat aggressive title ŌĆ£So Not Worth ItŌĆØ was created by the main character Se Wan. His mother is in deep debt, and her father is in prison for fraud. So to survive this brutal world, she has to be a tough girl. When people on campus talk about romance and youth, Se Wan thinks everything is so not worth it. Though the series doesnŌĆÖt go too deep into her situation, her background plays a big part in making Jamie show interest in her and enriches their story. Most of the successful sitcoms in Korea are about comedy and kits and the sadness that lies behind them. Because of this ŌĆ£pitifulnessŌĆØ within the series, the steadfast laughter of finding hope in the midst of it stands out. So Not Worth It also slowly brought up the stories of college life, which canŌĆÖt all be beautiful because of various reasons only youths face. Moreover, since most of the characters are foreigners, there are enough elements to balance tears and laughter. In season 1, the plot centered around comedy. However, in the following seasons, there is definitely a possibility of bringing in various emotions and showcase deeper narratives. Therefore, I hope that So Not Worth It will return with season 2 after strengthening its pros and remedying its cons. ┬Ā Verdict: The more episodes you watch, the more youŌĆÖll laugh. I hope season 2 comes out without being screwed up. ┬Ā Editor Hwang Hong Sun: A Korean movie buff who wishes that the warm messages in good works will warm up this world at least by one degree Fahrenheit. Translator Kim Hoyeun: If you are a fan of K-drama, K-movie, and K-pop, I am your guy. I will continue to provide you with up-to-date K-entertainment news.
