Tastefully Yours

We Had Everything Before Us.. We Had Nothing Before Us..

Tastefully Yours started off like a drama that would easily reach the top charts.. I mean they were hitting it off right from the beginning.. Both the leads with their characters and mannerism were just pure fun to watch.. They really were like an old married couple right from the get go..

That said, despite the fresh setting the core narrative isn’t innovative.. And also couldn't help but feel that the side characters were underused.. Especially the ML's brother..

Han Beom Woo’s character development from a Soulless Corporate Executive and Chaebol to someone who starts valuing real emotions and human connection was one thing the show really nailed.. A big reason for that is Kang Ha Neul and his performance.. Another highlight for me was the food cinematography and atmosphere of Jeonju.. It gave the drama a vivid quality that was soothing..

After the first four episodes they followed the " How to ruin a drama after a promising start 101 " rulebook to perfection.. Was it even the same writer?? How could they spoil something so good.. The return of her ex and that entire arc was painfully unnecessary... I didnt just hate it because it dragged on but because it took up time that could have been spent exploring other stories.. Stories that could have made this drama so much better.. They could have easily given us more of the main leads, their story and their romance.. That’s what most of us were here for.. And also they could have used that screen time to add more emotional depth to the story.. Han Beom Woo’s relationship with his brother had so much potential.. There was clear unspoken resentment and a complicated dynamic between them that was barely touched.. Exploring that more would have added more emotional weight to his growth.. I also wish they had spent more time highlighting the FL’s strengths..

Something about ep 7 just didn’t sit right with me.. There were so many unnecessary scenes.. But the cooking scene with the ex and the ML and FL in Sopporo?? What was the point of that?? What purpose did it serve??
They dragged out the ex's storyline for so long only for him to turn out to be a selfish self serving prick.. And then there’s the part where he hits the ML in front of the FL and she doesn’t even flinch.. No reaction, nothing.. I just couldn’t understand how that made sense for her character.. Honestly all things considered, the ex ended up with a better closure than he deserved..

Once we got back to the main story, it started to feel like the drama I enjoyed at the beginning.. The last three episodes were good.. Not rushed but not satisfying either.. This is where the drama’s short length really hit the hardest..

Broken children raised by a broken mother.. I genuinely felt bad for both the ML and his brother.. It was clear that their true personalities weren’t what we saw on the surface.. They were good people shaped by a toxic environment.. Their mother didn’t raise sons.. She raised successors to protect and continue her business and legacy.. Nothing more.. Both of them deserved better.. A better life and most of all, A better mother..

Overall, while the drama was comforting the stakes were never really high.. Conflicts were resolved quickly and there was rarely a moment where it felt like something could truly go wrong.. It’s an easy, feel good binge watch.. I just wish it had a bit more substance..

I have to mention that I absolutely loved the fun crossover cameo with Weak Hero Class 2..

P.S.. Rating a drama low just because you don’t like an actor.. Especially when they only appear in a guest role is just unfair...

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1/3 Michelin star drama! It's all just sizzle and no seasoning!

On paper, this drama has the right ingredients: a passionate chef, a cut-throat world of fine dining, a somewhat foolish yet strategic hotelier and a bit of romantic tension simmering in the background. But as you dig in, instead of tasting like a five-star meal, it was more like stale leftovers with the same dusty overused tropes.

Starting with the FL, I was rooting for her because she was the driven, food-loving underdog chef who stayed true to her values and didn’t compromise on quality, no matter what. Until she developed this saviour complex and was hell-bent on fixing problems no one asked her to solve under the guise of "doing the right thing". The moral policing didn't sit right with me!
Also, a few of the emotional connections of FL like with the head chef felt so random. I couldn't get why she was so emotional over it when their bond was barely shown on screen.

Then there is the ML. He is supposed to be this silly yet calculated heir to a hotel chain. He is crafty when it comes to things he wants and that is how he befriends the FL. Initially, he had a personality (good or bad, that is a different discussion). But somehow it seemed he existed just to orbit around FL's moral high ground like a confused satellite. His decisions during the later half felt more reactive and it felt like it was only to keep the romance plot moving. I kept thinking where did the businessman go??!! Does personality change that quickly!?

Coming to the romance, I didn't find it convincing. Initially, it did have a spark but somehow it faded. The chemistry was just ...missing. Neither it was a slow burn nor there was any subtle tension... just a whole lot of nothing. It's not that they were bad together, they just didn't leave any impression.

Visually, the drama was beautifully shot. The lighting, the food shots and the whole ambience was very aesthetic. But once we get past how pretty it all is, the actual plot feels thin.

As for the supporting cast, they just existed. They showed up and occasionally wandered into their own half-baked subplots, none of which ever really went anywhere and then somehow they faded into the background. Considering how much potential the supporting cast had, the script didn't do them justice.
The business plot was dull and sometimes I wondered how did they become so successful with the mindset that they were currently displaying!

Acting-wise, the leads felt bland to me. Not outright bad, just underwhelming in a way that left me uninterested in seeing them again. It was one of those forgettable performances that didn't ruin anything but didn't elevate it either. I have seen Go Minsi in Jinny’s Kitchen and her culinary skills there had me expecting more. Sadly, that spark didn’t carry over here.
Ironically, the supporting cast outshined them in my eyes, bringing more energy and a certain depth to their roles even though the writing didn't help them.

Overall, it tried hard to explore healing and purpose through food but was more confusing and frustrating. I wouldn't recommend this. Skip the drama and instead make a nice meal for yourself. At least that will be more satisfying than this.

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