'Chicken Nugget' Review: Ryu Seung-ryong's heartfelt performance steals the show in Netflix's whacky comedic series
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: While the adaptation of a Naver webtoon into a television show or a movie is not unprecedented, 'Chicken Nugget' stands out for its unique plotline and execution.
Although the idea of a human turning into a chicken nugget seems like a crazy, wild dream, it is quite uncommon that someone would take up such a bizarre plot and make it work.
The show plunges viewers headfirst into an absurd and hilarious universe where the life of an apparently normal family takes a sharp turn.
The show, which is helmed by Lee Byeong-heon, is based on the same-titled Naver webtoon by Park Ji-dok.
The series' premise centers on Choi Seon-man (Ryu Seung-ryong), the president of a small manufacturing company, whose life drastically changes when an enigmatic machine shows up at his doorstep. Unsure of what to do with the device, he brings it inside his house.
His daughter, Choi Min-ah (Kim You-jung), enters the machine and transforms into a chicken nugget.
This is where the drama begins. With him and his intern, Go Baek-joong (Ahn Jae-hong), who also has a secret crush on Min-ah, he sets out on an extraordinary quest to undo the change.
Lee Byeong-heon crafts a heartwarming experience in 'Chicken Nugget'
A visually captivating experience has been provided by director Lee Byeong-heon, who is renowned for his distinct brand of stylized comedies, including 'Twenty' and 'Extreme Job'.
The show is jam-packed with vibrant color and hilarious laughter that precisely matches the absurd storyline.
Under the thick layer of comedy, Byeong-heon succeeds in conveying the bizarre concepts onscreen through a heartwarming story of a father striving to get back his daughter.
Ryu Seung-ryong and Ahn Jae-hong add extra flesh to the absurd mystery comedy 'Chicken Nugget'
While the premise is undeniably whacky, the show's outstanding cast has added more meat to the storyline.
This is not the first time we've seen Ryo Seung-ryong struggle with chicken; the last time it was in 'Extreme Job', the highest-grossing South Korean film of 2019.
Also, it's not the first time we've seen him go above and beyond for his daughter. The last time we saw Ryu take on the role of a father was in Disney+'s 'Moving', where, similar to this series, he was willing to do anything for his daughter.
These two remarkable acting roles marked a watershed moment in his career, winning him both domestic and international acclaim and it is safe to assume that his role in 'Chicken Nugget' can further his international fame.
Despite his rough look, the man's heartfelt emotions as a father come through so beautifully.
Seung-ryong stands out owing to his unfiltered personality, which seems superficial at first but becomes more meaningful the more you follow his journey. Despite ridiculous situations, he portrays real love and care for his on-screen daughter thanks to his flawless acting chops.
Ahn Jae-hong is also impressive as the intern, Baek-joong. The actor has consistently delivered outstanding performances, the most recent of which being in 'Rebound'.
His portrayal of a captivated intern who provides a helping hand to bring his crush back to life is both endearing and amusing. His expressions are also on point, which contributes to the sequence's hilarity and adds a bit of charm to the story.
'Chicken Nugget' is loaded with absurdity and situational comedy
The show's quirky themes may not appeal to everyone since it pushes boundaries with its bizarre plotline.
The series is loaded with offbeat humor and situational comedy, which some viewers may fail to relate to owing to the absurdity.
Nevertheless, 'Chicken Nugget' succeeds in turning that bizarre narrative into a believable and poignant narrative of a father who would stop at nothing to transform his daughter, who has now taken on the appearance of a chicken nugget.
'Chicken Nugget' is now streaming on Netflix