The Curated Corner

“Do we have to go through life alone? Isn’t life more enjoyable when you have people you love and can rely on unconditionally?”

Tastefully Yours had been on my watchlist for a while. The trailer on Netflix was intriguing, and I’ve always had a soft spot for K-dramas that revolve around food—because when it comes to food, Korean dramas know how to make your mouth water and your heart ache. The last show that truly stayed with me in this genre was Chocolat, which explored healing—both emotional and physical—through the act of cooking and sharing meals. That one was heavy. I expected Tastefully Yours to be lighter, and it didn’t disappoint on that front.

The Premise

At the heart of the story is a classic setup: a chaebol male lead (ML), Han Beom-woo, with deep emotional scars, and a fiercely principled yet wounded female lead (FL), Mo Yeon-joo, who manages to retain her innocence despite life’s curveballs.

Beom-woo isn’t instantly likeable, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear why he is the way he is. His mother, Han Yeo-ul—referred to throughout the series as Chairman, not Chairwoman, which itself speaks volumes—is the ruthless head of Hansang Group. She pits her two sons against each other in a cruel competition for control of the company. Their battleground? A Michelin-like goal: the elusive 3-star rating from the prestigious Diamant Guide. Beom-woo heads Motto, his brother La Lecel, and they’ll do anything to win. Eyerolls are valid here.

The Characters & Conflict

One of the standout supporting character is Chef Jang Young-hye, the ultimate opportunist. She never bats an eyelid when her boss unabashedly steals recipes from smaller restaurants, rebrands them at Motto, and drives the originals to bankruptcy—all with the Chairwoman’s approval. It’s infuriating to watch, until karma comes knocking, with a little nudge from an unexpected place.

When Motto’s new signature dish turns out to be suspiciously similar to one from an obscure restaurant in Jeonju, Beom-woo visits to investigate. Enter Mo Yeon-joo, the eccentric chef running a one-table restaurant with no signage. She’s fiery, principled, and—most importantly—not for sale. Their first meeting is adorable, and a wake-up call for Beom-woo, who’s used to getting his way. She clears the misunderstanding with skill and flair—but it’s her cabbage kimchi that really captures his soul.

What starts as an undercover mission to steal recipes becomes something far more heartfelt. Beom-woo offers to help Yeon-joo make her restaurant profitable, hiding his real motive. She agrees, unaware of his deception. But somewhere along the way, Beom-woo begins to fall—for her, for Jeonju, and for the kind of life he never thought possible.

What Worked

This drama is a great one-time watch, thanks mostly to Kang Ha-neul’s portrayal of Beom-woo. He brings depth, warmth, and a surprising amount of humour to the role. When he laughed, I laughed. When he cried, my heart broke.

The supporting cast is solid. Kim Shin-rok as Jin Myeong-sook and Yoo Su-bin as Shin Chun-seung are a treat—especially Myeong-sook’s obsession with a fictional K-drama Lovely Jogger, a hilarious nod to Lovely Runner, which I personally adored.

Bae Na-ra as elder brother Han Seon-woo also shines. His inner conflict, his silent suffering under their mother’s tyranny, and his subtle evolution were handled with restraint and skill. The relationship between the two brothers became the emotional core of the series for me. It felt like a shared coming-of-age journey more than just a rivalry.

The ending, with its quiet mending of their fractured bond, left me smiling. As for the Chairwoman—she remained unrepentant to the very end, which somehow made me laugh out loud. Some people never change, and maybe that’s okay too.

What Didn’t Work

Unfortunately, Go Min-si as Mo Yeon-joo was a major letdown. I expected more from someone who delivered such a strong performance in Youth of May. She was charming in the light, playful scenes with Beom-woo and her staff, but in moments that required emotional heft—especially the scenes at the temple or with the Venerable—she felt wooden and disconnected. It’s baffling, honestly, given her track record.

The romance also took a backseat, which was disappointing given the setup. Had the chemistry been stronger, perhaps it would’ve hit harder—but with Min-si coasting through the role, it never reached its potential.

Yoo Yeon-seok’s cameo as Jeon Min was a nice surprise, even if it felt slightly dragged out. Still, I’m not complaining—he lights up the screen (and my heart) every time he is on screen and brings conviction to every frame, and he plays layered, morally grey characters like no one else.

Final Verdict

Kang Ha-neul carries the show on his capable shoulders, supported by a charming ensemble cast—minus a surprisingly lacklustre performance from Go Min-si. The food, the setting, the emotional undercurrent between siblings—all make it a comforting 10-episode watch. Just don’t expect fireworks from the romance.

PS: Major shout-out to the title theme – absolutely creative and charming!