“Chicken Nugget” is a comedy mystery K-drama released in March 2024, written and directed by Lee Byeong-heon. The drama is currently streaming on Netflix Ott app.
Chick Nugget Cast Introduction and Brief
- Ryu Seung-Ryong portrays the role of Choi Sun-Man: He is Choi Min-Ah’s father, deeply devoted to his daughter, having raised her as a single parent.
- Ahn Jae-Hong portrays the role of Ko Baek-Joong: He is one of the co-workers of Choi Sun-Man who has a huge crush on Choi Min-Ah
- Kim You-Jung portrays the role of Choi Min-Ah: She is the daughter of Choi Seon Man, who is very beautiful and sweet.
Episode 1: Choi Min-Ah Transforms into Chicken Nugget – The Purple Machine Mystery
The show starts in a vast universe, zooming into a chicken nugget on a plate, accompanied by the question, “What is it like to live as a chicken nugget?” A narrator, embodying the nugget, shares its perspective. Meanwhile, Ko Baek-Joong walks through the streets, singing aloud and composing a song. He receives a package from Mr. Kim, which intrigues his friend Choi Sun-Man. As they begin their work on their laptops, Choi Sun-Man mentions his daughter, Choi Min-A is visiting for lunch, causing Ko Baek-Joong to hesitate to leave. In his imagination, Ko Baek-Joong envisions meeting Choi Min-A and starts to focus on improving himself. Back to reality, Ko Baek-Joong blushes at the thought, mentioning he’s on a diet. The meeting with Choi Min-A turns awkward, leading to a conversation over chicken nuggets. Suddenly, Choi Min-A disappears into a machine, transforming into a nugget. Panic ensues as they try to reverse the process. Meanwhile, flashbacks reveal Choi Min-A and her father visiting their late mother’s grave. Kim Hwan-Dong denies eating the nugget, leading to a frantic search for evidence. Analyzing CCTV footage, they suspect the delivery guy. Despite various theories, they’re unable to identify Choi Min-A. Ko Baek-Joong shares a song he composed, leading to a revelation about the CCTV footage.
Episode 2: Dr. Yao’s Mystery – A Search for Answers
Also read: A Killer Paradox: English Summary of Episodes 1 to 8, Plot Twist, Ending Explained and Review
In this episode, Baek-Joong and Choi Sun-Man work tirelessly to solve the mystery. They visit the chicken nugget shop and discover that the owner has passed away, prompting them to search for the delivery man. Later, they speak with Mr. Kim and learn about a machine created by Dr. Yao for an experiment witnessed by Mr. Lim. Choi Seon-Man goes to the police station to inquire about Dr. Yao’s whereabouts, only to find out he has vanished. Both Choi Seon-Man and Ko Baek-Joong conducted various research on chicken nuggets. They visit a restaurant where they discuss chicken nuggets with the manager, who explains their food rating system. Suddenly, the chicken nugget box falls, scattering nuggets everywhere and causing them to scream in fright. A little girl takes a bite of a nugget, further alarming them and making them appear foolish in public.
Episode 3: Keeping Nuggets Protected and Warm – Choi and Ko’s Machine
In this episode, a girl appears in character and reveals that the chicken nugget isn’t Choi Seon Man’s daughter. This girl turns out to be Baek-Joong’s ex-girlfriend, and as the two ex-couples argue, the father tries to get an answer from her. However, the couple relentlessly talk about their past relationship.
The couple is transported back to the past, interrupted by Choi Seon Man urging them to focus as he’s short on time. We catch glimpses of their past relationship as they plead for help in identifying the nugget that represents his daughter, which she successfully does. Ko Baek Joong confesses his love for Choi Seon Man’s daughter. Together, Choi Seon Man and Ko Baek Joong construct a machine to keep the chicken nugget warm. Later, a man attempts to identify a mysterious object with another machine, leading him to Choi Seon Man and Ko Baek Joong’s workplace. There, we see a blurry image of Choi Min Ah trapped as she struggles to escape. As they continue to unravel the mystery, Ko Baek Joong bravely enters the machine.
Episode 4: Back to Earth – Dr. Yao Reappears
Upon entering the machine, instead of just a beeping sound, some gas emits. Ko Baek Joong approaches a man who appears to be sleeping, but despite repeated calls, he doesn’t respond, indicating something is wrong. Ko Baek Joong immediately dials 911. However, the old man wakes up unharmed, having only been sleeping. While searching for a book, he trips, falls unconscious, and wakes up hours later locked inside. He dreams of a date with Choi Min Ah. Both Choi Seon Man and Ko Baek Joong work tirelessly, almost out of energy, walking and limping. Choi Seon Man finds Ko Baek Joong, and they eat noodles at their workplace as if they’ve been starving for days. Later, a mysterious man is seen stalking the chicken nugget through a camera. Upon returning to their workplace, they discover the chicken nugget is missing. This mysterious man seems obsessed with a character and wants to become that person. He also has two purple machines in his workplace. As he tries to do something, a bomb suddenly explodes, and he screams.
Episode 5: From Friendship to Betrayal – Yoo Tae-man’s Dark Path
A burst is heard, causing the man to fall. Suddenly, the machine door opens and a man emerges—it’s Dr. Yao. He collapses immediately, alarming the other man. The search continues for Choi Seon Man and Ko Baek Joong. We find Dr. Yao in a house, talking to kids. Then, we glimpse into the mysterious man’s past during his high school days, where he was rejected by his crush. This rejection fueled his envy of his friend’s looks. He talks to Dr. Yao, showing a video of his friend. Later, Dr. Yao is seen in his office with the mysterious man and Mr. Kim, indicating their past connection. Choi Seon Man and Ko Baek Joong discover the mysterious man, Yoo Tae-man, in a store warehouse with Dr. Yao. They learn that Ko Baek Joong is Dr. Yao’s nephew. A fight erupts, revealing Yoo Tae-man’s plan to kill his own brother and uncle, confusing Ko Baek Joong. Choi Seon Man discovers more in Yoo Tae-man’s room. The episode ends with another shooting in the warehouse.
Episode 6: Tales from the Machine
Yoo Tae-man forces Choi Seon Man to hold the gun and then points it at his own forehead. Later, they sit and discuss their pasts, including the incidents caused by the invention. We learn that Dr. Yao is locked inside a caterpillar. They also talk about a zombie bird attacking one of Dr. Yao’s friends, who was seen on CCTV bringing a machine to their workplace.
Episode 7: Yao and Nephew’s Poisonous Ploy
In this episode, we witness Dr. Yao destroying the machine, only for it to miraculously return to its original shape, suggesting its indestructibility. Dr. Yao theorizes that it was created in secrecy 200 years ago. Suddenly, Choi Seon Man and Ko Baek Joong struggle to speak, realizing they’ve been poisoned by the tea. Unconsciousness ensues, with Ko Baek Joong dreaming about Choi Min Ah upon awakening. They find themselves awake but immobilized by the poison, gradually regaining their senses but remaining chained. As they sit chained in the room, Ko Baek Joong and Choi Seon Man reminisce about the past, particularly Hoi Seon Man’s relationship with his parents. Yoo Tae-man enters, calling out the name “Thunder,” revealing a small ladybug emitting electricity. Later, a video of Ko Baek Joong singing goes viral among the students and hotel workers.
Episode 8: Reconnecting with the Past – The Unyielding Machine’s Tale
Here we see restaurant workers arriving at Ko Baek Joong’s workplace, searching for him after his video goes viral. Another man joins the search for the machine but discovers it’s stolen. A note on the table instructs to call the police if they don’t return. Ko Baek Joong and Choi Seon Man are found chained together, with Ko Baek Joong chosen by a ladybug. Yoo Tae-man arrives and brings them food. A flashback shows ancestors with the two machines. A thunderstorm erupts, leading to a dispute between Dr. Yao and Yoo Tae-man, resulting in Yoo Tae-man being electrocuted. Ko Baek Joong and Choi Seon Man break in as the two men are incapacitated. Meanwhile, restaurant workers in orange outfits enter, and the scene transitions back to the ancestral past.
Episode 9: Dr. Yao and His Nephew – Captured!
The three teams face off, gearing up for a confrontation. Instead of physical combat, they engage in heated arguments, preparing themselves for the fight ahead. A distraction by a restaurant worker leads to a brawl breaking out. Now, Choi Seon Man and another man confront each other, each with someone to protect, heightening the tension as the machine nears its final operation. Yoo Tae-man is spotted limping away as both teams, Choi Seon Man and Ko Baek Joong, and the restaurant workers, gather to discuss strategy. The doctor and his nephew are tied to a bed, while the others watch on. Later, Choi Seon Man is seen crying over a chicken nugget that his daughter has transformed, hinting at her need to travel far this time.
Episode 10: Choi Min Ah’s Unknown Future: The End of the Road or a New Beginning?
In the last episode, Ko Baek Joong, now an aging but wildly popular singer, is adored by fans worldwide. Spotting Choi Min Ah in the crowd, he rushes out. Returning to the present scene, machines are being loaded into a van as everyone prepares to depart. Dr. Yao pleads to join them and is reluctantly allowed, albeit with his hands tied. Night falls as they venture into the forest, where Choi Seon Man tearfully hands over a chicken nugget, signalling the start of a procedure. The scene shifts to Choi Seon Man’s workplace, where he advises his employees to pursue their desires amidst an impending closure. A team dinner ensues, with children drawing pictures with Ko Baek Joong. Back in the future, Ko Baek Joong, now older and more renowned, searches for Choi Min Ah in the crowd. He encounters a little girl who hands him a box of chicken nuggets, and a message from Choi Min Ah. Everyone has aged, including Choi Seon Man, now elderly with wrinkled skin and long white hair. Ko Baek Joong converses with Choi Min Ah, the chicken nugget between them, discussing her glimpse of another world. He believes returning the time she missed with her father is the right decision, hopeful she’ll understand. Now, in the present, Choi Min Ah walks to the workplace, clutching the chicken nugget, echoing scenes from the past.
Ending Explained
The drama concludes with all characters aging and achieving success, except for Choi Min Ah, who remains absent for a significant period. However, in the final moments, she reappears, retracing her steps to the workplace, holding the chicken nugget, reminiscent of past scenes. This ending leaves viewers with unanswered questions. It’s open to interpretation—perhaps she traveled back in time using a time machine, or it could simply be a memory. The ambiguity invites viewers to ponder various possibilities, fostering an open-minded conclusion.
Plot Twist in the K-Drama ‘Chicken Nugget’
The drama’s plot twist leaves us with a lingering question: What truly happened in the end? Was she returned to Earth, lost in imagination, or reliving the past?
‘Chicken Nugget’ Review
Cinematography: The cinematography in this drama is vibrant, reflecting the light-hearted nature of the plot. Fight scenes are infused with humor and accompanied by lively music. Tense moments lack depth, and the depiction of the machine’s lighting is enchanting, particularly the emergence of a pink glow during its operation.
Acting: The acting in this drama blends comedy effectively. While it may not always strive for realism, it undeniably brings laughter to the audience. The restaurant workers, along with the main lead, excel in delivering comedic moments. Even during tense scenes, humor seamlessly finds its way back into the narrative.
What is the duration of the episode in this drama?
In this drama, each episode, unlike other dramas, is short and varies in length, with the longest being 36 minutes.
Is Chicken Nugget suitable for children?
The movie is suitable for viewers aged 15 and above. It offers a blend of high comedy and mystery.
Is it a happy ending?
The drama concludes with an open-ended resolution, making it difficult to categorize as either sad or happy. While some characters find success and happiness, the fate of the main storyline remains ambiguous, leaving viewers pondering its outcome.
What is the rating of this drama?
IMDb rates it as 5/10.
