The upcoming KBS2 drama “Love on the Menu“ has released new stills showcasing the developing chemistry between leads Ha Seok Jin and Hani. The family romance drama tells the story of two former lovers who reunite eight years after a painful breakup and work to rebuild their broken families while creating a warm life together.
Ha Seok Jin takes on the role of Kim Moo Jin, a perfectly credentialed owner-chef of an Italian restaurant. Hani plays Han Gyu Rim, a side-dish shop employee who maintains a bright spirit despite facing difficult circumstances. The drama marks Hani’s return to acting after three years and serves as her first weekend drama series.
A Fateful Connection Through Chance Encounters
The newly released stills capture the fresh emotions of first love between Kim Moo Jin and Han Gyu Rim. Their journey begins with a meeting at a bus stop, followed by another encounter at a part-time job site, and eventually a reunion at the same location. These repeated chance meetings build a fateful connection between the two characters, with their growing attraction highlighted as a key point of interest.
Additional stills show the pair growing increasingly close. Kim Moo Jin naturally interacts with Han Gyu Rim’s younger siblings and offers her warm comfort, while Han Gyu Rim looks at him with deepened emotions. The images depict a fleeting moment of pure, radiant youth before the characters face harsh reality.
Character Backgrounds and Personal Struggles
Han Gyu Rim’s life has been far from easy. After her once-comfortable family fell on hard times, she took on numerous part-time jobs while caring for her household. Despite these heavy responsibilities, she maintains a bright spirit and continues working at the side-dish shop. Her complicated feelings for Kim Moo Jin are evident, as she cannot hide her smile when around him, yet her eyes reveal hesitation due to the heavy realities she faces.
Kim Moo Jin comes from a wealthy and prestigious family but never reveals his true status, instead disguising himself as an ordinary person. He works part-time at a restaurant and uses public transportation to hide his real identity. After his relationship with Han Gyu Rim ended when she broke up with him, he went abroad to heal his heartbreak and dedicated himself to cooking. After learning enough, he returned to Korea and opened his own Italian restaurant.
“The natural chemistry between Ha Seok Jin and Hani, along with their refreshing vibes, will heighten immersion in the early episodes. Please look forward to the first love story of two young people as they turn chance into destiny.”
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A Family Romance Drama with Deep Emotional Layers
The production team explained that the drama aims to visually express the emotions of two people who have endured lonely times in their own spaces. The posters intentionally use a blurred focus to capture the loneliness of Kim Moo Jin and Han Gyu Rim, with each character remaining alone in their respective spaces. The phrase accompanying Kim Moo Jin’s poster reads, “The first and last encounter that arrived by chance during cold and withered times.” For Han Gyu Rim, the phrase states, “In a life where every 24 hours feels like homework, the first spark of desire feels unsettlingly ominous.”
The production team added, “The deeply nuanced chemistry between Ha Seok Jin and Hani will further enrich the poignant story of Kim Moo Jin and Han Gyu Rim, two people who have each endured long periods of loneliness.” They also noted, “Please show great interest in and support for the family story they will portray, as well as how the loneliness hidden behind the blur gradually transforms into warm comfort.”
The series is written by Lee Kyung-hee, known for I’m Sorry, I Love You (2004) and Uncontrollably Fond (2016), and directed by Hong Seok-gu, who helmed Beauty and Mr. Romantic (2024). The production companies behind the project include Monster Union and Contents G.
“Love on the Menu” premieres on July 25, 2026, at 8 p.m. KST on KBS2 and will air every Saturday and Sunday. It consists of 50 episodes.
Also Read: Hwang In Youp and Hyeri’s New K-Drama ‘Dream to You’ Reveals Romantic Posters Ahead of July Premiere
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