Even though the drama’s main poster showed intriguing chemistry between the actors, what really drew me to this drama was the fact that its title alluded to a melting pot of genres – food, romance, and murder. There is a fresh spin on this story: the main characters are psychically linked. Initially, only the male lead could feel the female lead’s emotions, but later, as this psychic bond deepened, she, too, began to experience his emotions. The whole drama is like a fantasy every woman wants – a man who not only understands every emotion but also feels its full intensity as when he too wakes up with her nightmares, feels her fear down his gut, weeps easily like her and in the next moment giggles foolishly. (And if that man by chance is Yeo Jin-goo).
Yeo Jin-goo is an incredibly gifted actor; his persona is enhanced by the contrast between his gentle appearance and deep, guttural masculine voice. On top of that, his mesmerizing, perfect smile makes my pulse quicken. The kind of dramas he has pulled are groundbreaking for his time. My heart goes out to him, who has mastered such mature emotions at such a young age through dramas like Beyond Evil or Hotel Del-luna. I enjoyed Mun Ka-young’s natural acting in Find Me in Your Memory and Live Up to Your Name, although she is better known for her pretty face, bubbly self, and sunshine smile than her acting chops. Though it is beautiful to watch, this drama seems just a natural progression of her acting and characterization from Find Me in Your Memory.
The drama’s protagonists, Eun Gye-hoon (Yeo Jin-goo) and No Da-hyun (Mun Ka-young), create an enchanting psychic bond that elevates their romance to a magical level. Seeing Jin-goo’s outstanding acting as Gye-hoon while he goes through intense sorrow and terror as the extended emotions of Da-hyun, but are in total contrast to his unflappable self, made my heart flutter. The way our tender-hearted yet unwavering male lead depicts love – a love that is not merely expressed but profoundly experienced — forges an irresistible and surreal bond. It was amusing and heartbreaking at the same time to get invested in an emotional scene and try to figure out whether they were crying out of their emotions or because of the extended sorrow of each other. Ka-young as Da-hyun looked so vulnerable, fragile, and adorable because of her timid look and vulnerable body language that everybody around her, along with Gye-hoon, her mother Hong Bok-hee (Kim Ji-young), her grandmother Na Chun-ok (Ye Soo-jung), and her self-proclaimed unnie Lee Eun-jeong (Lee Bom), would want to shield her from the world and pamper her. All three characters are crafted very beautifully, dramatically expressive, entertaining, and dark at the same time. Ye Soo-jung, Kim Ji-young, and Lee Bom, who played the roles of this insane grandmother, deranged mother, and eerie chef, delivered brilliant performances.
The romances of our other three potential couples were a bit undercooked; collectively and individually, they would have brought a unique taste. Our second lead pairing, Ji Won-tak (Song Duk-ho) and Hwang Min-jo (Lee Bom-So-ri), was filled with character depth and the cast was promising; there should have been more justice to their romance and character building. Cha Jin-hu (Lee Suk-hyeong) and Lee Eun-jeong, who happened to be in the right location at the right time, could have added an entertaining, quirky twist to the drama in contrast to the main leads. Lastly, the understated, non-verbal, subtle love story that prevailed through the years- the one between Hong Bok-hee and Ahn Jung-ho (Kim Chan-hyung). I wanted a happy ending for them, but am satisfied that they were together most uniquely – in crime and in penance.
The drama delves into a realm where soul-nourishing culinary experiences, past forgotten traumas, a serial killer on the loose, a quirky neighborhood, stalkers, and social indifference. Amidst all this is a brewing romance. It is a little stretch of a belief that an entire neighborhood is entangled in a single tragedy, leaving the elders haunted and, in turn, causing the children’s adult lives to intertwine with each other at the ripe moment, like a shared collective childhood trauma. But you realize that too late, on the whole, the actors have done an excellent job bringing the drama to life; the cycle of darkness and light, repeated at regular intervals, is what keeps you agog.
PC: The ending OST “Unknown,” which features the ethereal voice of Janet Suhh, adds thrilling beats at the exact moment in each riveting drama episode.
Meet our guest contributor, Poulomi: I am an undercover enthusiast, tucked away in my snug hideout, secretly feasting on the delightful buffet of human interactions. My introverted spirit finds its haven on the fringes, a place where I can silently root for the triumphs and delve into the intricacies of humanity. With an eye sensitive to the subtlest nuances and a heart that echoes each observation, I’m all in for the people-watching game. Life, in its essence, mirrors my beloved K-dramas, offering a sanctuary of stories spiced with intrigue and emotion, and I savour every scene, relishing the unfolding drama with a sly grin and a knowing nod.
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