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[HanCinema's Drama Review] "Oh! Dear Goddesses of Basement" Episodes 1-5 + Videos

Four minor Greek goddesses have decided to chill out in South Korea for awhile. Though they are goddesses with almighty powers, they still need money in order to survive on a daily basis. Which is why the first episode of "Oh! Dear Goddesses of Basement" takes place inside a pawn shop. It's up to the Goddess of Persuasion, Peitho (played by Cha Jung-won) to negotiate the best possible deal so that the goddess roommates can continue to live in their modest basement apartment.

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One of the odder flourishes of "Oh! Dear Goddesses of Basement" is that the titular goddesses do not have especially impressive powers. Peitho is a very good negotiator but she can't make people to accept something for nothing. She needs leverage. So Peitho has to stay pushy and aggressive for however long it takes for a change in circumstances to allow for a better deal, and it's impressive how Peitho maintains her tough stance no matter how bad her situations seems.

Iris (played by Ha Yeon-soo) was, to me, the most distinctive of the goddesses. If I'm being totally honest, the main reason for this is just that Ha Yeon-soo has a much more distinctive appearance than the other three actresses. It also helps that Iris, as the Goddess of Errands, is always doing something just out of force of habit. She's the gopher of the group, even if of her own free will, so it's relieving how Iris always has a smile on her face regardless of circumstance.

Metis (played by Park Sojin) is the Goddess of Skill. I'm not totally sure what that means, which is probably why she's the character I understand the least. The other three all have special gimmicks constantly referenced in dialog. It sounds really cheesy but in small web drama sized episode does it's actually pretty cute. Consider how Oizys (played by Han Da-ra), as the Goddess of Anxiety, always has some sort of gloomy accurate observation yet instead of being annoying, Oizys just comes off as needing a hug to feel better.

The concept is well-aided by how all the lead actresses are pretty- although "doll-like" is not the descriptor I would have chosen for them. Given the absent of any obvious plot all we really watch is just the four of them bumbling around whatever tasks they have for the day, engaging in conversation with normal people and attempting to solve problems. They're not always successful but then that too adds to the charm somewhat. Even goddesses are mortal, apparently.

Review by William Schwartz

"Oh! Dear Goddesses of Basement" is directed by Kim Ki-yoon and Lee Rang, written by Hwang Gook-yeong and Lee Rang, and features Cha Jung-won, Park Sojin, Ha Yeon-soo and Han Da-ra.

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