Tastefully Yours first impression: Weirdly addictive duo Go Min Si, Kang Ha Neul cook up quirky kitchen romance in Netflix's new-age Business Proposal

Indian Express

14-05-2025

Safe to say, Go Min Si and Kang Ha Neul are Netflix's new Shin Ha Ri and Kang Tae Moo—just flip the personalities. Tastefully Yours dropped on May 13 with a nonexistent Rotten Tomatoes score, and it's tough watching a Squid Game star's much-hyped show pull in below-average ratings at home. But let's not forget the new K-drama pattern: tanking locally, trending globally, Tastefully Yours seems to be riding that same wave. Early Netflix buzz hints it's gaining traction, but we will have to wait until the next Tudum top 10 non-English TV list is released. For now, Weak Hero, Resident Playbook and Heavenly Ever After are dominating the genre for consecutive weeks.
Tastefully Yours episode one and two premiered by introducing us to Han Beom Woo (Kang Ha Neul), a money-hungry chaebol battling his brother Han Sun Woo (Bae Na Ra) in the classic K-drama family feud, both gunning for the CEO seat of their mega food empire, currently run by their mother who's ready to retire. The brothers are handed two rival restaurants—Motto and La Lecel—and the deal is simple: whoever bags the first 3-star critic rating gets the reins of Hansang, the multi-million-dollar corporation. The show kicks off with Kang Ha Neul channelling Park Seo Joon from Secretary Kim and Ahn Hyo Seop from Business Proposal energy with that signature CEO swoop hairstyle. But just as quickly, his character flips with goofy antics, threatening local vendors, and bossing chefs around in the most chaotic way.
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Thankfully, the creators don't paint Beom Woo as a jerk without reason—he's got a motive. He wants the chair, and as both creative and management lead, he's pulling every trick in the book to take Motto to the top. But big bro plays it smart, hits him with the Uno reverse, and now Beom Woo is broke and stuck with Mo Yeon Joo's (Go Min Si) restaurant, the very one he planned to steal a recipe from to get those 3 stars. That stolen recipe is now his only shot at survival. The fast pace and zero drag in storytelling will likely keep you hooked.
Go Min Si's character carries her own brand of quiet quirk. She barely talks, but her eyes light up when she's cooking. She runs a tiny, hidden restaurant tucked away in a quiet alley, barely makes enough to cover bills, but she's stubborn when it comes to food quality. She grows her own veggies in a small garden, trades rare homegrown spices with local vendors like it's an underground drug deal, and cooks a dish for Beom that ends up humbling him, reminding him of his grandma's Kimchi. Their oddball interactions, snappy dialogues, beautiful platings, contrasting personalities and a cliffhanger have convinced me to return for episode 3.
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This is Go Min Si's first real step into romance, and while the chemistry with Kang Ha Neul might not sizzle, her character's firm ideals carry weight. By episode 2, we see the duo seal the business deal, with Han Beom Woo pulling out creative tricks to draw in customers. They hire new staff, Jin Myeong Sook (Kim Shin Rok), and Yoo Su Bin's cameo as Shin Chun Seung in episode 2 brings in the much-needed laughs. We love when K-dramas sneak in cheeky nods to other shows or K-pop—and this time, it's Byeon Woo Seok's Lovely Runner getting the shout-out. Jin Myeong says she's obsessed with a drama featuring a Lovely Jogger. Episode 2 ends on a mini cliffhanger with Yeon Joo eavesdropping on Beom's call, where he talks about stealing her recipe.
Director Han Jun Hee and writer Jung Soo Yoon's new show opened to an underwhelming 1.6% domestic rating, according to KBI Zoom, far lower than the finale numbers of its predecessor, New Recruit 3. The criticism came in fast, some criticised Go Min Si's accent that she nailed back in Jinny's Kitchen, while others called out her offbeat chemistry with Kang Ha Neul, saying it just doesn't click, at least not yet. But the show has every element that could easily make it a hit. Blame the promotion, or the lack of it, Netflix, surprisingly, was not on top with its promotional campaign, unlike its usual K-content hype machine. Tastefully Yours has the whole package, face cards, solid acting chops, soft-lit aesthetics, chaebol sibling rivalry, kitchen chaos, and just enough romance — the recipe K-romcom fans have been eating up for years. You might still find yourself in a love-hate thing with the leads, but if you're into the genre, chances are you'll binge it anyway. Netflix synopsis: 'Driven to claim top culinary honours, an arrogant heir meets a low-profile but stubborn chef whose recipes astonish him, sparking an unlikely romance.'