linxminx

I came to this drama for Go Min Si. I watched her in the reality show Jinny's Kitchen 2 last year and just thought she was delightful. And who doesn't love a show about food?! What I found was even more.

First, many of my favorite actors were a part of this drama. Kim Shin Rok, Yoo Soo Bin, Bae Na Ra, and Yoon Byung Hee. It was a delightful surprise to enjoy Yoo Yeon Soek and Park Ji Hoon in guest roles (I'll comment more about this later). Discovering other amazing actors that I heard of but I don't think I have seen in any dramas, Kang HaNeul and Oh Min Ae was very enjoyable.

Second, the storyline was good. For me it was very balanced. There was enough tension and anticipation built into the plot to keep me tuning in. But there were some slower areas where I could just relax and enjoy the characters. I enjoyed Mo Yeon Ju's calm and steady presence that carried her through stressful and chaotic situations. Her center was cooking, and that was written into the story well, and translated beautifully in the acting. To me, her character was the heart and soul of the story. Well done Go Min Si!!

Third, I loved how cooking, food, relationships, and focusing on the culinary enjoyment of others served as a healing salve for troubled souls. Beom U, Myeong Suk, and Chun Seung were all at odds with themselves and their lives until they came together at Jeon Ju and found that building a place focusing on good food for others fed their soul and they found their purpose in working together. And what a beautiful setting, the Hanok village, that
was chosen for filming!!

Fourth----my favorite moment in the entire drama came in the final episode when Park Ji Hoon (playing a celebrity actor) came to Jeon Ju to eat. He sat down and Chun Seung waited on him, then suddenly asked, "Where did you go to high school?" Their eyes narrowed and suddenly the viewer was transported into Weak Hero Class. I screamed and yelled at that moment because I got the nuance of the scene having watched Weak Hero Class 1 and 2 just weeks before. I loved how they brought that into this drama! The only thing that could have been better is if Seon U would have entered the restaurant right then and become a part of this gem of a scene. Priceless, absolutely priceless!! It also tells me how addicted I am to Kdramas.

The romance between the FL and the ML was really downplayed. I didn't mind as I feel the story focused more on where it needed to be, the food and characters finding their purpose. Early on the two main characters realized they liked each other, and that was it. It didn't need to be any more than it was. The story really didn't build to a big romantic ending, so I 'm not disappointed that there wasn't one. The feelings the two main leads had for each other were expressed in a very adult manner and I appreciated that. I don't like it when adults are turned into cringey middle-school aged children who can only show their feelings by awkward behavior. 30-something adults don't act this way.

I appreciated the ending with the Chaebol mother and sons. I'm not a fan of these heartless, work-alcoholic grandmother/mother CEOs that are super selfish and mean right up to the end, then suddenly have a change of heart and become loving. Nope, I don't think that is realistic. This story showed a subtle change of heart with reality built in and it was refreshing. I loved the scene with Yeo UI and Seon U at the funeral home where she is giving fake tears honoring her mother. When the cameras switch off and she complains how hard it is to fake cry, Seon U mumbles she is still the same, but then Yeo UI looks at her mother's picture and says to not get tired of her visiting. It's funny and heartwarming at the same time showing that people change in slow, small ways that can still be significant.

This drama is not flashy, intense, over-the-top, nor boring. It's just the right mix of entertainment that leaves you, like a really good meal and a nice glass of wine.....satisfied.