Native Title	감자연구소
Also Know as	Potato Research Institute, Potato Research Center, Gamjayeonguso
Director	Kang Il Soo, Shim Jae Hyun
Writer	Kim Ho Soo
Distributor	tvN
Air Time	Saturday & Sunday 21:20
Content Rating	15+ - Teens 15 or older
Runtime	12 + 2 special episodes
Genre	Romantic Comedy, Office, Rural, Healing, Slice of Life
Language	Korean
Country	South Korea
Release Date	2025-03-01
End Date	2025-04-06

“The Potato Lab” (Korean: 감자연구소) is a 2025 South Korean rom‑com series on tvN (and on Netflix internationally) starring Lee Sun‑bin and Kang Tae‑oh. Across 12 episodes airing weekends from March 1–April 6, 2025, this quirky drama unfolds in a scenic mountain‑valley potato research institute.

Plot Overview

Nestled in a tranquil mountain valley, the story revolves around a rural Potato Research Institute (aka “Potato Lab”) where Kim Mi‑kyung has spent 12 devoted years. Proud of her unconventional obsession – she’s even breeding a special potato named “Mi Gyeong” – she’s beloved locally but seen as eccentric.

Enter So Baek‑ho: a cold, efficient Wonhan Retail efficiency expert sent to restructure the lab after Wonhan acquires a potato chip company. Their first interactions are turbulent – Mi‑kyung sees him as a soulless bureaucrat; he views her lab as outdated.

Their dynamic oscillates between fierce workplace rivalry and unexpected affection—think a whirlwind “tornado potato” romance.

Cast & Characters

Kim Mi‑kyung (Lee Sun‑bin) is an eccentric researcher deeply obsessed with potatoes—fiery, passionate, and delightfully unconventional.
So Baek‑ho (Kang Tae‑oh) is the new institute director – cold, procedural, and principled—but finds himself entangled with Mi‑kyung in hilarious and heartfelt ways.
Park Ki‑se (Lee Hak‑joo): Mi‑kyung's ex-now-executive director at Wonhan; divorced and still tangled in past emotions.
Lee Ong‑ju (Kim Ga‑eun): Mi‑kyung's best friend, a romance writer who meddles in everyone’s love life.
Kim Hwan‑gyeong (Shin Hyun‑seung): Mi‑kyung’s younger brother, managing a guesthouse where Baek‑ho stays.

Tone & Themes

Comedy style

A fun blend of physical, almost slapstick humor – like bird attacks, fall‑downs in potato fields, and quirky rural hijinks – as well as witty, workplace banter.

Romantic arc

Classic opposites‑attract – cold director meets warm potato fanatic – leading to a predictably charming and sweet slow‑burn romance.

Setting as character

The lush countryside, rustic potato fields, and remote research lab provide a serene, almost healing backdrop.

Production & Style

Directed by Kang Il‑soo and written by Kim Ho‑soo, with production by CJ ENM Studios and Chorokbaem Media.

Cinematography praised for capturing both the rural chill and character-driven moments, giving it a fresh, scenic charm.

Filming Locations

Shot in Gyeonggi Province’s Yangpyeong County and at Seoul National University’s Taehwa Mountain Forest, the series brings rural charm vividly to the screen.

Should You Watch It?

Yes, if you enjoy breezy, feel‑good, rural rom‑coms with a quirky premise and cute lead chemistry.

Maybe skip, if you prefer more emotionally intense or narrative‑driven dramas – some may find it formulaic or lightweight.

Final Take

The Potato Lab is a fluffy slice-of-life rom-com with memorable potato‑centric humor, sunny scenery, and a loveable pair of protagonists. It won’t rewrite the genre, but for fans of lighthearted K‑drama with a rural twist, it’s a satisfying binge – comforting, sweet, and pleasantly silly.

Where to Watch

Originaly aired on tvN Saturdays & Sundays from March 1 to April 6, 2025.

All 12 episodes are available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions.

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