Edited by Jeon Gyeong Ju
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
Nowadays, when everyone is hesitant to go out amid COVID-19 pandemic, “Soneyi ChaYoo (Son Ho Jun, Cha Seung Won, Yoo Hae Jin)” family, who returned after five years, put a big smile on viewers’ faces. The first episode of tvN’s Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 5, which aired on May 1, recorded an average of 9.3 percent viewership and peaked as high as 11.2 percent, ranking first in the same time slot (based on Nielsen Korea). Only the backdrop has changed from Manjae Island to Jukgul Island, the basic daily routine of the cast remains the same. Yet, it is clear that the pleasant and warm “family chemistry” of the three members was a great comfort to viewers who spend their days of tension and depression.
They Will Roll with What They Have
The new house of the three members, Jukgul Island, has an environment that is as unfamiliar as its name. It was only the beginning when the blue, bright sky the day before poured out rain the very next day. In Jukgul Island, where there are only three residents left, no passenger ships that stop by, and no convenience like “Manjae Supermarket,” self-sufficiency seemed more challenging than ever. However, this was not a problem for Cha Seung Won and Yoo Hae Jin, who showed a higher level of housekeeping through Boarding House in Spain last year. From Cha Seun Won, who provided perfect dining with limited ingredients, to Yoo Hae Jin, who acquired a boat license during his break and set out for ocean tour, the quick adaptability of a multi-skilled couple was jaw-dropping. Son Ho Jun, who became a 37-year-old “baby” of the group, also delighted viewers with his unwavering sincerity and colorful reactions.
“Oh Dong Baek” Gong Hyo Jin, Who Kept the Family’s Spirit Up
The “Three Meal House,” which had managed to keep the food on the table even with limited ingredients, faced a real crisis when the new guest Gong Hyo Jin arrived. They proudly wrote down fried fish on the menu, but failed to catch any fish. All they were left with were bits of turtle hands, sea snails, and some leftover yams and potatoes. To the three members who were constantly embarrassed by the poor situation, Gong Hyo Jin kept her smile and even apologized for not coming with her hands full. From doing the dishes to cleaning after eating and cooking, her kindness continued. In front of Gong Hyo Jin, who permeated into the family as if she were also a member, it was natural for the three to rekindle their passion for fishing. As such, family love was naturally formed, despite the fact that they were “fixed members” and “a guest,” and the function of community life was expressed in the best structure. This is why “Fishing Village” is probably the most beloved of Three Meals a Day series.
Though They Might Not Excell in Fishing, We Still Enjoy Their Lives
Is it because the ocean was impressed with the love of the three? In the fourth episode of Three Meals a Day: Fishing Village 5, which aired on May 22, Yoo Hae Jin succeeded in catching a stone octopus with a fish trap. Although Son Ho Jun was not present and Gong Hyo Jin returned home, it was enough to compensate for the disappointment and regret of all the fishing failures. Yoo Hae Jin triumphantly bluffed his success, and Cha Seung Won also expressed his joy at the unexpected catch of such big fish. In any case, whether Yoo Hae Jin succeeds or fails in fishing, Cha Seung Won will make delicious dishes, and Ho Jun will help the two smartly. And we will continue to support and sympathize with these three families, who are full of love and respect, as always.
Verdict: The virtue of ‘coexistence’ seems even more delicious in the midst of social distancing (8/10)
Editor Jeon Gyeong Ju: A natural-born media geek who is physically Korean and mentally multinational. All dramatic stories are my favorite sweets for life. TVs and streaming platforms are not only the playgrounds but also the weapons.
