Things Got Stuck in 'Cheese in the Trap'

You know those dramas that started so great and then just decided to kill itself? There are many examples, but the latest one in the minds and mouths (or fingers?) of Korean drama watchers is Cheese in the Trap. It begun what was to be a perfect drama. I even had hopes of making it high up on the yearly recaps. Alas, some things are too good to be true and the drama that was supposed to be the opposite of dramatic bit itself in the ass and became a drama in real life.

Cheese's biggest strength, and its biggest weakness, is its fervent fan base. From the beginning of when inklings of a drama was to be made off of the ever so popular webtoon, the fans couldn't shut their mouth about absolutely everything. It was unlike any other, perhaps only equal to the mania of adaptations of internationally acclaimed work, e.g. Nodame Cantabile, In Time with You. So from the beginning, this was going to be a drama that would create a ton of buzz.

Cheese's journey with the public is kind of funny and serves as a great example of what makes or breaks a drama. First, the casting fiasco that had fans almost literally demanding their ideal actors and whining when they didn't get what they want. Then when the drama started airing and the cast proved itself, no traces of hatred was to be felt. Then when things started taking a downturn, all the positive remark that the cast (and crew) worked so hard at disappeared into thin air. Drama fans are smarter these days, and no bullshitery will get through anymore.

On the other hand, Cheese is a peculiar case, mostly due to the extreme trajectory that the actual on-screen drama went through. I don't think there have been many cases where the beginning of a drama started nearly perfect and ended up with people giving it the cruelest hatred you can possibly imagine. Cheese really did start as this incredible drama, but overtime, it stopped being that way. I'm not going to try to point any fingers on anyone, since I'm sure the matter is more complicated than just "it's this one person's fault". This is a drama that probably employs at least a hundred people with multiple heads in the front seat.

It's just unfortunate the situation ended up being how it did. This was a drama that could've catapulted several unknown actors. Sadly, it became a drama I doubt many will want to associate themselves with. I feel bad for the actors since they did a good job with the material they were given with whether or not it was good or made any sense. They're the one that deserves the praise but ended up suffering the most.

So my take on the drama is that it was good for however long you decided it was (for me it was up to episode 12). If there was anything that didn't fail was the cast, who performed well up to the last minute. I'm really happy we were able to see a lot of different and new faces in this drama, faces we'd never get to see otherwise. I hope the cast can look back to Cheese and remember it fondly as a drama that gave them an opportunity to shine in their own ways. And as for viewers, well, it's up to you how you'll remember the drama. For me, it was good while it lasts but nothing to get all up in arms about. It's time to let go and move on.