First Episode Airs Tonight… Fans Are Already Calling This K-Drama the "Best-Cast" Yet

ENA’s new K-drama Tastefully Yours premieres tonight (May 12), and fans are already calling the casting “insane.” The teaser has racked up over 1.59 million views, and the buzz around Kang Ha-neul and Go Min-si’s first on-screen pairing is off the charts.

Anticipation Before Episode 1

Ahead of its premiere, Tastefully Yours has generated massive interest thanks to its compelling teaser and top-tier casting. Comments on the teaser range from “This pairing is perfect for a rom-com” to “I already saw the first two episodes at the Jeonju International Film Festival and can’t wait to watch again!” Netizens are praising the casting, visuals, and fresh storyline, calling it a must-watch drama.

Plot Summary

Set in Jeonju, the story follows Han Beom-woo (Kang Ha-neul), a strategic and slightly arrogant chaebol heir, and Mo Yeon-joo (Go Min-si), a grounded one-table chef who values authenticity over flash. The drama explores how two people with wildly different food philosophies clash, connect, and grow through their love of cooking.

Kang Ha-neul, Squid Game star, plays the ambitious younger son of a food conglomerate, chasing a coveted “Three-Star Diamang Guide” title by any means necessary. But a taste of Yeon-joo’s unassuming food in a nameless Jeonju eatery changes his life’s trajectory.

Adding flavor to the cast is Kim Shin-rok, playing Jin Myung-sook, the reigning queen of Jeonju’s most popular gukbap restaurant, and Yoo Soo-bin, her comically earnest successor.

Rom-Com Debut: Go Min-si’s New Side

After scene-stealing performances in Sweet Home, Smugglers, and Into the Woods, Go Min-si tries her hand at romantic comedy for the first time. Her character, Yeon-joo, is passionate and philosophical about food, guided by emotion rather than ambition.

Go credits her time on Jinny’s Kitchen 2 for helping her prepare. She said she even looked to Netflix’s Chef’s Table: Korea for inspiration during character prep, especially when Culinary Class Wars was trending.

A Director’s Passion Project, 15 Years in the Making

Director Han Jun-hee, known for D.P. and Weak Hero Class 1, created the original short story behind Tastefully Yours based on his time working in Jeonju 15 years ago. Now, that concept has been expanded into a full-length drama written by Jung Soo-yoon and directed by Park Dan-hee.

“Warmth. That’s what I felt when I read the script,” said director Park. “We wanted to capture the charm of small-town restaurants and the love behind each plate.”

Cast Testimonials

Kim Shin-rok calls the show “like Jeonju muljjajang (wet black bean noodles)—familiar yet refreshingly new.”

Yoo Soo-bin adds, “It’s a comfort drama, best enjoyed with friends or family over a warm meal. It’s got all the flavors—romance, chemistry, laughter.”

Writer Jung promises “a culinary mise-en-scène” filled with everything from Korean royal tteokgalbi to French coq au vin.

Will It Be a Hit?

With standout performances, rich storytelling, and delectable food cinematography, Tastefully Yours seems perfectly poised to capture hearts—and appetites. It premieres tonight at 10PM KST on ENA, with free streaming available via KT Genie TV and Genie TV Mobile.

Will this drama live up to its name and satisfy viewers' cravings? All signs point to yes.

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