Miss Panda and Hedgehog

Quick Details

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Film Date: October, 2012

Story: Pan Da Yang also known as "Panda" is a sweet, childlike woman who owns the lovely but unsuccessful Cafe Panda. Go Seung Ji is a young pastry chef also known as "Hedgehog"; not only because of his prickly hairstyle (in the first few episodes) but for his personality as well. As he has experienced many hardships in his life (abandoned by his own father, spent his childhood in prison) he sometimes hides like a hedgehog behind his pricks, instead of clearly expressing his feelings. Panda is the first person to hire Hedgehog without considering his past, based only on his exceptional skills as a pastry chef. They'll work together to make Cafe Panda a success, while... falling in love, making mouth-watering cakes, discovering and settling their past and baking a delicious future. 

Review: Though the storyline is quite simple and predictable, with too many coincidences, I truly truly enjoyed this drama! What I liked the most, is that it focuses on human relationships and beautifully cherishes them. As a result (and unlike any other k-dramas) a really cute bromance* develops between Hedgehog and his main rival Choe Won Il; detectives share delicious cakes with those under investigation, and a very special relationship is portrayed between the main protagonist and grandpa. I would recommend this childlike drama to those who are in the mood for something light-hearted, funny and extra-sugary. Plus, Lee Dong Hae (from k-group Super Junior) did a surprisingly good job in portraying Mr. Hedgehog! 

*word describes the complicated affection shared by two straight males. 

Favourite quotes: 

- Maybe I just don't know how to say things, or maybe words are made in a way that can't fully express people's heart

- Choi Won-Yi: If you were to leave Cafe Panda what would you leave behind?

Hedgehog: The most precious things in the world... The people I like and the people    who like me, also the love that I built with them.

Choi Won-Yi: What about money, fame, power and other things that you gained from making cakes there?

Hedgehog: Could those be more important than people?

Homemaker, x