Falls apart by the end
As this was one of the first K-dramas I ever watched, the sense of novelty kept me interested for longer than I would have been had I watched this drama at a later time. The set up is definetly interesting for both the characters and the plot but it seems as if the writers completely lost it and where just winging it by the end.Personally I wouldn't accuse either Kim You Jung or Song Kang of being strong actors, so their 'chemistry' to me just read as two attractive people trying to act that they're falling in love. Slow-mo shots, accidental touching and closed proximity is a natural part of a rom-com, but when that is all you can offer in the 'chemistry' department it feels extremelly superficial.
Of course, every drama won’t suit everyone’s taste, but for those who like genuine emotional depth over glossy aesthetics and trope heavy romance, this one might fall short.
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An Unexpected Gem
The best advice I can give to someone about to start this drama is: go in with low/no expectations.This drama works best when you're not expecting too much. Is it perfect? No. There are definitely a few plot inconsistencies, and at times the story seems to spend energy on things that don’t fully pay off in the end, but if you’re looking for something light, fluffy, and centered around food, this is a solid pick.
I went in already liking Yoona, which is a sentiment that, surprisingly, isn’t shared by most kdrama fans, but for me, she carried the drama just as much as (if not more than) Lee Chae Min, who’s been receiving most of the praise. While she held her own in both the lighthearted and more emotional scenes, I believe a lot of her performance’s charm comes down to the fact that the role was just a perfect fit for her. Her natural charm added warmth and levity to the tone of the show, and I genuinely think she deserves more recognition for it, especially knowing how hard she worked to prepare for it.
Lee Chae Min, on the other hand, was a bit of a surprise. I didn’t enjoy his performance in Crushology 101, but the teasers for BAYM intrigued me. And like many others watching week by week, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how well he portrayed the king. His performance was charming and sincere, even if his acting style leans a bit too dramatic for my personal taste. Still, I can’t deny that he did a great job.
The chemistry between the leads was lovely. Not explosive, but comfortable and intimate in a way that felt lived-in. Their scenes together were always a highlight. Just don’t go in expecting a romance-heavy drama. It’s more of a slow burn, with food taking center stage far more than the love story.
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