Heo's Diner is showcasing a feast of dishes that look filling at just a glance.
Released on Jan. 24, the drama Heo's Diner (directed by Oh Hwan-min and Kim Kyung-eun; written by Seong So-hyun) unfolds the unpredictable modern life of Heo Gyun (played by Siwoo Min), who time-slips from the Joseon Dynasty to the present. After crash-landing in modernity, Heo Gyun meets Bong Eun-sil (played by Choo So-jung), the daughter of a rice bowl restaurant, and begins a restaurant partnership. The captivating stories interspersed with heartwarming rice bowl Korean dishes and exquisite fine dining cuisine provide viewers with delightful visual pleasure. We have explored the culinary and narrative connections tied to Heo's Diner.
▲ Steamed carp: Heo Gyun, from the Joseon Dynasty, extends a helping hand to a starving old man!
Heo Gyun, a transcendent genius who never forgets what he sees, possessed exceptional culinary skills. He distributed rice to those in need, showcasing his newfound passion for helping others. Along the way, he discovered a bullied old man (Woo Hyun) and served him steamed carp that he had prepared himself. However, the old man cryptically remarked to Heo Gyun, "You saved my life, but I will not express my gratitude," leaving a strong impact as he time-slipped him 400 years into the future just before his death.
▲ Gukbap: Eun-sil, moved by the gukbap of the innate culinary genius Heo Gyun!
Eun-sil found herself in a situation where she had to take responsibility for the rice bowl restaurant after her mother (Kim Hee-jung) was involved in an accident. Later, when Lee Hyuk (played by Lee Se-on) suggested selling the rice bowl restaurant, she felt momentarily swayed but realized she couldn't sell it freely. As the culinary novice Eun-sil stumbled in her decisions, Heo Gyun expelled her from the kitchen and showcased his cooking skills, perfecting the gukbap. Remembering her mother's cooking upon tasting Heo Gyun's food, Eun-sil decided to hire him as the head chef to run the restaurant. Thus, Heo Gyun took on the role of head chef at Heo's Diner, creating diverse dishes that delighted viewers and showcased the true essence of delicious Korean cuisine.
▲ Fine dining: Lee Hyuk's means to acquire wealth and honor as the youngest Korean cuisine master
Lee Hyuk, who valued wealth and fame, was a restaurant chef who had snagged the title of the youngest Korean cuisine master. However, he viewed the suddenly appeared Heo Gyun as an eyesore, and when people compared the 5,000 won rice bowl to his restaurant's dishes, he became anxious. Lee Hyuk enlisted CF star Jeong Mi-sol (played by Lee Su-min) to film a promotional video, and the beautifully presented fine dining course revealed in the process whetted appetites.
Meanwhile, as Lee Hyuk's plans began to unravel, he found himself in trouble and obstructed Heo Gyun and Eun-sil's management of Heo's Diner. Thus, with just a street separating the nameless rice bowl restaurant and the fine dining restaurant, the stage was set for a showdown between the first flavor columnist Heo Gyun of the Joseon period and fine dining restaurant chef Lee Hyuk, raising expectations for future developments.
Not only the actors giving commendable performances but also the food take the lead in the rich drama Heo's Diner. It was co-planned by Why Not Media and Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, and Corpus Japan, and produced by The Great Show. The seventh episode will be released on Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. on Netflix and Wavve, at 7 p.m. on Watcha and Tving, and at 9 p.m. on MBN+.
[OSEN]