The premiere episode of "Mr. Plankton" commences with a poignant and heart-wrenching tableau, setting the emotional tone for the entire series. Hae-jo, our central protagonist, lies vulnerably in the snow, his breath crystallizing in the icy air as he silently harbors a fervent wish to survive. The desperation in his gaze is almost tangible, mirrored by Jae-mi's frantic rush towards him—a woman whose ties to his past are both mysterious and profound. Her screams reverberate through the eerie stillness, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension.
The narrative seamlessly transitions to Hae-jo's current existence, where he runs an eccentric enterprise—granting personalized wishes that pique his curiosity. His latest endeavor arrives in the guise of an unusual request from a woman who desires to be abducted from her wedding. Despite the misgivings of his partner, Gi-ho, who is acutely aware of the groom's gangster connections, Hae-jo embraces the challenge, his intrigue piqued.
On the wedding day, Hae-jo makes a daring and bold entrance, disrupting the ceremony and whisking the bride away on his motorcycle. As they flee the scene, a tide of memories washes over Hae-jo from his troubled past—a time when he was deserted by his parents. These haunting flashbacks momentarily distract him, causing a motorcycle accident that lands him in the hospital. Upon regaining consciousness, he discovers that the woman has already absconded to the airport, revealing that she had conned her fiancé out of his money and orchestrated the entire escape as a meticulously planned heist.
In a tragic and unexpected twist, Hae-jo learns at the hospital that he has inherited a rare and fatal brain disease from his biological father, granting him a mere three months to live. This revelation strikes him like a bolt of lightning, infusing his life with a newfound sense of urgency and existential despair.
Meanwhile, Jae-mi, who is presumed to be eight weeks pregnant, visits a jewelry store to resize her fiancé's ancestral ring. However, during a subsequent visit to the gynecologist, she uncovers a devastating truth: her fiancé had concocted a lie about her pregnancy to curry favor with his lineage-conscious, 500-year-old family. This revelation deals her a cruel double blow, as she soon learns that she is experiencing premature menopause—a condition that irrevocably bars her from ever bearing children.
Overcome by the overwhelming news, Jae-mi suffers an emotional meltdown at the hospital, her vulnerability exposed to the world. It is here, by sheer coincidence, that Hae-jo catches her heart-wrenching outburst and becomes privy to her dire straits. Their shared history unfolds: a three-year romance that crumbled under the weight of Jae-mi's longing for children and Hae-jo's steadfast reluctance.
Back at her in-laws' abode, Jae-mi is ensnared by a paralyzing fear, dreading the impending revelation that she is incapable of bearing an heir. Panic-stricken, she attempts an abortive escape, only to find herself shackled by her circumstances. The ensuing day, she summons her courage, donning a mask of bravery as she prepares for her wedding. Meanwhile, Hae-jo, seething with anger and fueled by a newly ignited resolve, resolves to shut down his business and embark on a quest to uncover the truth about his biological father.
The narrative veers into darker territories as the gangster, refusing to accept that his fiancée had orchestrated an escape, becomes dead-set on pursuing Hae-jo, intent on extracting retribution for "stealing" his bride. This sets the stage for a perilous game of cat and mouse, where every move is fraught with danger.
In a climactic twist, Hae-jo finds himself at Jae-mi's wedding, driven by the urgent desire to persuade her to flee with him. The audience is left on the precipice of their seats as the episode concludes, marking the thrilling debut of "Mr. Plankton." This initial chapter is a wild ride of emotions, introducing intricately layered characters and an engrossing narrative that promises to enthral viewers throughout the entire season.
