"Oh My Ghost" provides a nuanced perspective on death and the mourning process, that is on-par with melodramas like "Mask."
Gag-woman Kim Seul Gi portrays Shin Soon Ae, a ghost who perished before experiencing true love. She possesses the body of Na Bong Sun, a sous chef whose existence is driven by her desire to become a top chef.
Park Bo Young delivers an emotionally charged performance as the bullied Bong Sun and channels the enlightened, carefree persona of Soon Ae. Soon Ae explores her past life through the body of Bong Sun, sadly discovering that her once vibrant family-owned restaurant morphed into a dark shadow of itself, upon her death.
The series incorporates flashbacks where Soon Ae meanders through the bustling restaurant. She was the primary cook at the small establishment, serving up her own spin on traditional dishes to the male clientele.
One of the most poignant scenes of the drama occurred during the July 10 episode. Soon Ae as Bong Sun visits the restaurant and witnesses how much has changed. However, she is equally stunned by a trip to the local police station, where she stares at her unrequited crush. His life and those of his co-workers have continued on, even though she is dead.
"Oh My Ghost" is a romantic comedy that confronts death and dying from multiple angles. By interspersing comedic scenes of seduction, screenwriter Yang Hee Seung tackles taboo subjects that most people avoid discussing. Yang previously tackled age-discrimination and the concept of age gaps in dating with the 2014 tvN romantic comedy, "High School King of Savvy."
"Oh My Ghost" airs on tvN on Fridays and Saturdays in the 8:30 KST time slot.
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About the writer: Adrienne Stanley is a contributing editor for KDramastars. She is also a contributing writer for KpopStarz, MTV Iggy, Viki and CJ Entertainment's KCON blog. Her passions include a love of K-pop and Asian drama. When she is not writing, she is hanging out on Twitter (@retrogirladdy).
