Serve It Cold

In the past I've worked as a bartender, so watching the kdrama XX was like stepping into the way-back machine for me. With only five episodes this is a shorter series, but it does better with characters and storytelling than some that are three times as long.

XX is the name of the exclusive bar where head bartender Yoon Na-na (Hani) runs things her way while saving up to buy the place. She shares a flat with her pal Wang Jeong-deun (Lee Jong-won) who is her best friend and confidante. She's also good friends with her co-worker, Park Dan-hee (Bae In-hyuk), who is secretly in love with her. What could go wrong?

Na-na's dreams are dashed when her wealthy ex-best friend Lee Roo-mi (Hwang Seung-eon) purchases XX and takes over the business. These two women have a very unhappy past and still despise each other, thanks to a one-night stand Roo-mi had five years ago with Na-na's slimy cheating boyfriend Seo Tae-hyun (Shin Jae-hwi). They've been avoiding each other ever since, but now they have to work together.

Things become even more complicated when Na-na discovers that Roo-mi's current boyfriend Jeong Gyu-min (Kim Joon-kyung) is cheating on her with one of his colleagues, aka the kind of karma that gives me chills. This situation leads to somewhat mending the rift between the ladies, and a confrontational revenge scene that was a bit uncomfortable for me to watch (I think happiness and success are the best revenge) but probably very satisfying to everyone who likes that sort of thing . . . at least until Seo Tae-hyun shows up at the bar to work on a product launch party with his two exes.

What I liked most about this series was the acting by Hani and Hwan Seung-eon -- they portrayed their emotions toward each other so realistically -- and the understated and quiet romance between Na-Na and Dan-hee. Lee Jong-won also did a great job; he handled depicting a gay character in a support role well while being very endearing. I would have preferred more romance than revenge in this series, but I appreciated the story's message. For me love doesn't conquer all; a good heart does. Available on Viki.com for free with lots of commercials.