REVIEW: ‘Chicken Nugget’ Is Absolutely Ridiculous, Dumb Fun

With Kdramas continuing to take the world by storm, there’s wiggle room to take some risks. With their latest Kdrama comedy mystery series, Chicken Nugget, Netflix does just that. Starring Ryu Seung-Ryong, My Demon‘s Kim Yoo-Jung, and Ahn Jae-Hong, the premise is ridiculous. A mishap with a mysterious machine turns Min-Ah (Kim Yoo-Jung) into a chicken nugget. Yes, you read that correctly. And dare I say, the series is about as absurd and dumb as I hoped it’d be.

From the moment the opening credits start in Episode 1, Chicken Nugget lets viewers know what vibe to expect. An eclectic opening scene focusing on the titular nugget will baffle from the get-go. Still, Kim Yoo-Jung’s narration completes the picture before we launch into a more realistic setting.

Chicken Nugget Episode 1 sets up its premise and makes quick work of introducing the titular characters. Making great use of color in his wardrobe, intern Ko Baek-Joong (Ahn Jae-Hong) is eccentric and dancing to the beat of his drum. His relationship with Min-ha’s father and his boss, Choi Sun-Min (Ryu Seung-Ryong), is strange, but there’s a kinship there.

Kim Yoo-Jung’s Min-Ah is the romantic lead of the series with a twist. At first, she is seen as this angelic figure through Baek-Joong’s perception. This becomes more distorted throughout Chicken Nugget, creating fascinating visual moments that challenge our idea of a romantic heroine. While she does appear less compared to our male leads, this role isn’t a walk in the park. It requires a level of absurdity and straight-shooting delivery that Yoo-Jung has previously proven to be great at.

Netflix ramps up its webtoon Kdramas with the craziest yet: Chicken Nugget.

What makes Chicken Nugget such a great sell is its natural comedy and embrace of ridiculousness. Whether alone or paired up together in scenes, actors Seung-Ryong and Jae-Hong are comedic gold onscreen. Their usage of physical comedy and playing with levels keeps viewers on their toes. Their performances are the greatest example of writer/director Lee Byeong-heon’s skill, as they are the glue that keeps things together when the plot starts spiraling out of control.

The ensemble cast also helps keep the comedy train rolling. Chicken Nugget spares no expense regarding the cameos in the series. Each addition surprises and delights when matched to the humor of the scenes they’re in. Squid Game‘s Jung Ho-Yeon is the combative and serious foil to Baek-Joong, while Seung-Ryong massages the straight-man, fourth-wall-breaking moments in the scene. Jung Seung Gil‘s distinctive face comes in handy in his role as Yoo Tae-Man, where his appearance is the butt of the joke. Particularly when compared to GOT7’s Jinyoung, who portrays the Tae-Man’s older brother.

With a premise as simple yet wholly zany as trying to turn a chicken nugget back into a human being, it’s easy for things to go off the rails. Unfortunately, Chicken Nugget suffers from this. Despite the comedy and the chemistry of the entire cast working in overdrive, Byeong-heon’s writing can’t smooth over some of the plot’s complications later on. There’s much to keep track of in the mystery surrounding the machine. So, ensuring each new unpeeled layer doesn’t complicate things too much is difficult. That’s not to say it isn’t still enjoyable. But viewers are likely to get overwhelmed halfway through.

Chicken Nugget never loses its zany whimsy.

The usage of colors, editing, and usage of sound bring this chaotic gremlin of a series together, from quick cuts to hearing a chicken nugget squelch (which, ew), these additions to Chicken Nugget add further layers to the comedy onscreen. The series’ usage of bright colors evokes whimsy and delight but also provides background on the characters long before they open their mouths.

It also made me realize how much I missed seeing bright colors in Kdramas onscreen, so we should bring back more of that. The only department faltering here is the VFX in execution, but the whimsy is still there during key moments. Even if the VFX is a little wonky.

At the end of the day, Chicken Nugget is a show that doesn’t take itself seriously, and neither should the viewer. The series embraces the sheer stupidity and ridiculousness of its premise. It concocts a mystery that continues to confuse and escalate the more the show goes on. At the heart of it all, though, are two men doing anything they can to save someone they love and care for. That throughline never breaks, giving the characters and audience something to hold onto.

Chicken Nugget dials everything up to a ten and then some. It is absurdist, comedic fun and spares no expense or time in embracing its quirky energy. For viewers who seek out dumb, silly viewing that’ll make you forget about the world, this latest Kdrama is for you.

Chicken Nugget are streaming now exclusively on Netflix.