Air Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 9:20 PM KST on tvN
Overview of The Potato Lab
Premise:
The Potato Lab follows Kim Mi-kyung (Lee Sun-bin), a passionate potato researcher with 12 years at the Potato Research Institute, obsessed with creating the perfect “Mi Gyeong” potato. Her structured life is upended when So Baek-ho (Kang Tae-oh), a polished but eccentric director from Wonhan Retail, takes over the lab, sparking a bickering-to-romance dynamic amidst workplace chaos. The series blends workplace comedy, romance, and a touch of absurdity (e.g., a protective magpie named Sunnyeo).
Airing Schedule:
Premiered March 1, 2025, airing Saturdays and Sundays at 9:20 PM KST on tvN, with global streaming on Netflix (subtitles typically available within hours).
Episode 4 Context:
Following Episodes 1-3, this episode builds on Mi-kyung and Baek-ho’s evolving dynamic after a drunken kiss in Episode 2 and rising tensions over the lab’s future in Episode 3.
Episode 4 Summary
Opening Scene:
The episode picks up right after Episode 3, where Baek-ho’s sleepless night after the kiss (spent cleaning and gardening, per @soobdrama, March 6) signals his growing feelings. A storm rages as Mi-kyung, alone in the lab’s greenhouse, frantically tries to protect the fragile crops.
Baek-ho arrives, initially hesitant but ultimately joins her in securing the structure. Their hands brush amid rain-soaked chaos, and while the moment mirrors classic rom-com tropes, the subversion lies in their awkward teamwork—Mi-kyung barking orders while Baek-ho fumbles with tarps. This solidifies their chemistry in a comedic yet intimate way.
Lab Crisis Deepens:
Baek-ho, under pressure from Wonhan Retail’s higher-ups to justify the lab’s costs, delivers devastating news: he fires Mi-kyung. She hides this from her closest friends, Hee-jin (Kim Ga-eun) and Seulgi (role unconfirmed), who grow suspicious of her silence. Mi-kyung’s decision to keep it to herself underscores her pride and desperation to save the lab.
In a desperate attempt, Mi-kyung tries to sway Baek-ho with her charm, but he remains resolute—his soft voice and polite smile masking his firm decision.
Team Fallout:
Seulgi’s typo in a lab chatroom, accidentally exposes Mi-kyung’s firing, unraveling her attempt to shield the team from the truth. Baek-ho catches her mid-cover-up, leading to an emotional confrontation. She apologizes, eyes glistening—per emotional stills circulating on X. This moment subtly reveals Baek-ho’s internal conflict: he’s trying to save the lab by cutting costs but in the process, he’s hurting Mi-kyung, whom he’s clearly growing attached to.
Romantic Shift:
The storm scene and heartfelt apology mark a turning point. “They already fall in love”—not through words, but through actions. Baek-ho’s willingness to help in the rain and Mi-kyung’s rare moment of vulnerability strip away their usual bickering. A quiet post-storm moment, possibly sharing makgeolli, seals this shift as Baek-ho lingers in his gaze longer than usual.
Cliffhanger:
The episode ends with uncertainty over the lab’s fate. Sympathizes with Baek-ho’s position, hinting that the looming shutdown threat remains unresolved. With Mi-kyung now jobless, her next move—whether fighting for reinstatement or rallying the village against Wonhan—sets up Episode 5’s stakes.
Production and Reception
Direction & Acting:
Directed by Kang Il-soo (Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung), the episode leans into physical comedy—Baek-ho’s storm struggles echo Episode 2’s pesticide mishap—while maintaining heartfelt moments. Lee Sun-bin’s fiery Mi-kyung and Kang Tae-oh’s poised-yet-clueless Baek-ho shine, contributing to IMDb’s current 7.4 rating (based on early fan votes).
X Reactions:
- Praises the rom-com vibe, highlighting Kang Tae-oh’s physical comedy transitioning seamlessly from Episode 3 into Episode 4.
- Multiple posts emphasize the storm rescue and firing fallout, calling the ending “precious.”
- Expresses empathy for Baek-ho’s dilemma, hinting at deeper corporate conflicts.
Overall Tone:
Episode 4 expertly balances absurdity (storm chaos) with emotional depth (Mi-kyung’s firing), maintaining The Potato Lab‘s quirky-yet-heartfelt rom-com charm. The Review Geek previously praised the series for subverting typical tropes, and this episode continues that trend.
Series Context and Future Episodes
Prior Episodes:
- Episode 1: Introduced Mi-kyung’s potato obsession and Baek-ho’s arrival.
- Episode 2: Featured their drunken kiss and a comedic farm mishap.
- Episode 3: Escalated tensions with Chief Hong’s departure and Baek-ho’s sleepless night.
- Episode 4: Bridges their growing personal connection with a professional crisis.
What’s Next?
Episodes 5-6 (airing March 15-16) will likely explore Mi-kyung’s next move—whether she allies with Baek-ho against Wonhan Retail or rallies local farmers, a strategy hinted at in Netflix’s official synopsis.
Where to Watch
- Live Broadcast: tvN, 9:20 PM KST (ended at 10:30 PM KST today).
- Streaming: Netflix globally—English subtitles should be available by midnight (March 10), based on their usual quick turnaround (e.g., Episode 3 was added on March 8.)
Final Thoughts
Episode 4 of The Potato Lab delivers a rom-com rollercoaster—storm-soaked teamwork, a gut-punch firing, and a love that’s quietly taking root despite the odds. Mi-kyung’s resilience and Baek-ho’s internal struggle keep the narrative gripping, while fans on X are buzzing over the leads’ evolving relationship.
Did you catch the episode? What stood out most? Share your thoughts, and I’ll refine this breakdown as more official recaps emerge!
