Heo's Diner stars Xiumin, Choo So-jung, Lee Se-on, and Lee Soo-min shared heartfelt thoughts on the series' conclusion.
The drama 'Heo's Diner,' which first premiered on March 24, 2025, and was directed by Oh Hwan-min and Kim Kyung-eun, and written by Sung So-hyun, captured the thrilling story of the real-life figure Heo Gyun. It engaged viewers for five weeks, leaving a strong impression in the home theater, as actors Xiumin (playing Heo Gyun), Choo So-jung (playing Bong Eun-sil), Lee Se-on (playing Lee I-cham/Lee Hyuk), and Lee Soo-min (playing Mae-chang/Jeong Mi-sol) bid their final goodbyes today (24th).
Xiumin, who skillfully portrayed Heo Gyun's story traversing the Joseon era and modern times, noted, "While the show was airing, many memories from the shoot came back to me, and I felt once again that those moments were happy. I believe this project has taught me the most during my growth as an actor, and I will never forget it. I'm truly thankful to the viewers and hope you enjoyed it. Happiness is self-made." His witty response, using Heo Gyun's line "Happiness is self-made!", left a lasting impression.
Xiumin recalled a memorable scene from his character Heo Gyun, stating, "In the last episode, when a character who seemed to be a college student instead of Heo Gyun appeared, I was unexpectedly touched." He also highlighted a memorable quote from Heo Gyun, saying, "I never forget what I've seen once!"
Choo So-jung, who made a significant impact portraying the daughter Bong Eun-sil in a diner without a sign, shared, "For Eun-sil, the space 'Heo's Diner' feels like a place where I've stayed the most completely. While I feel quite regretful about this, I'm also excited for a new beginning, as I have grown stronger. I gained courage and happiness by being able to live as Eun-sil."
Choo So-jung expressed, "It has been a long time since I participated in a long-form project as an actor, and it was a significant challenge for me, serving as my daily motivation. Starting my 30s with 'Heo's Diner' made it particularly splendid, and I think it will be a work that stays fondly in my memory. I believe that if I have just one precious ally, I can get back up again. I'm grateful to all the people who have supported Eun-sil until now."
On the other hand, Lee Se-on showcased strikingly contrasting dual sides of his character, who resorted to any means necessary to attain fame and wealth. He remarked, "When a project wraps up, there's always a mix of joy and regret. This precious project came to me like a ray of light during a time filled with many worries about acting. It gave me the strength and courage to climb one more step without stopping. I will come back as a more developed Lee Se-on. I always wish you health and happiness."
Lee Se-on identified the most memorable scene as the one in episode 5, where Lee Hyuk arrives at the diner, gathers investors and reporters, and humiliates Mi-sol. He explained, "It wasn't easy to deliver such long lines in one breath, and I believe it was the moment where Lee Hyuk's evilness was truly showcased."
Finally, Lee Soo-min transformed into two characters—Joseon-era artist Mae-chang and modern CF star Jeong Mi-sol—revealing a captivating charm. She recounted a memorable scene, saying, "When Mae-chang first appeared on horseback, I was confident because I had experienced horse riding in Jeju. However, I remember trembling while filming at the thought of having to act on top of that."
Lee Soo-min stated, "'Heo's Diner' is a meaningful project that fell to me like a refreshing rain, as I was thirsty for new acting experiences. I'm sad that it's over, but I am grateful to everyone who loved it and will strive to return with even better works. Thank you sincerely for watching over Mae-chang and Mi-sol until the end."
'Heo's Diner' showcased the sensational direction of director Oh Hwan-min and the passionate performances of the lead actors, as well as a variety of delicious foods, creating a tasteful drama. 'Heo's Diner' was co-planned by Wainot Media, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, and Corpus Japan, and produced by The Great Show. All episodes can be found on Netflix, Wavve, Watcha, and Tving.
[Photo] Provided by Wainot Media, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, and Corpus Japan.
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