Recap Korean Drama "Once Upon a Small Town" Episode 1

Sep 5, 2022

Once Upon a Small Town episode 1 starts with vet Han Ji-yul looking after an adorable client of his and afterwards running off when he gets a concerning phone call from his assistant. It’s apparent that it pertains to his grandfather and most probably concerns his health. As Ji-yul rushes to his grandfather’s house in Huidong, he tries to go inside but unfortunately, looking rather suspicious, he gets caught by the police.

A misunderstanding lands him on the road, knocked out cold. When it comes to, the truth of the matter becomes clear – his grandfather fooled him into coming to the village to take care of his hospital and house while he has gone on a cruise. Ji-yul looks like he’s landed right into crazy town, and things are clearly going at a very fast pace.

Still From Once Upon a Small Town Episode 1

After knocking a man into a paddy field, Ja-young takes Ji-yul to a farm to look at the animals there. However, he gets into a spat with the farm owner over a dog that has been eating his chickens and with Ja-young. Eventually, he takes the dog to the vet clinic to take care of it.

Ji-yul’s next assignment comes in the form of an angry goat in heat who has split his head open after ramming into a pipe. The goat looks rather scary and Ji-yul, with some courage, manages to wrangle it and treat it. Unfortunately, the surprises don’t stop flowing for him as the women’s association barges into the house at night with food as a surprise, much to his anger.

Once Upon a Small Town Episode 1 Ending

When everyone leaves, he sits down to read the letter his grandfather left him. We hear the heartwarming letter as Ji-yul goes to the vet clinic and sits down there to think of all that his grandparents have done for everyone and for him. He eventually patches the dog up and seems more at ease with the situation afterwards.

Outside, he finds Ja-young swimming alone, wearing all of her clothes and a headlight. They both look rather astonished to find each other in the situation.

Once Upon a Small Town Episode 1 Review

Still From Once Upon a Small Town Episode 1

The first episode of the series pretty much proves that this is going to be a light, frothy and easy watch. The storyline is humorous, although it won’t make you roll on the floor laughing, and neither is it super new or anything interesting. It truly reminds you of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, albeit its first episode was far superior in comparison.

That being said, it’s a light show, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed watching the serious Korean shows airing right now, this one will be a welcome distraction. Personally, the story is cut and dry, and you know where it is headed. The characters are caricatures of villager folk that we have watched many times in the past – loud, nosy, boisterous but with a heart of gold. There are definitely going to be small mysteries and quirks that we will discover along the runtime.

Park Soo-yeong and Choo Yeong-woo look right at home in the village. The latter, well, not so much, but he’ll get there, I am guessing. Both are good in their roles, although just a bit awkward right now, which makes sense considering the circumstances. Only time will tell how heartwarming the drama gets so that we can enjoy a breath of fresh air in the week.