"Recipe For Love" is heating up living rooms with the Gong family saga, which deepens with each episode.
Last weekend at 8 p.m., episodes 5 and 6 of KBS2 weekend drama "Recipe For Love" (writer Park Ji-sook, directors Han Jun-seo and Bae Eun-hye, produced by HB Entertainment) stimulated viewers' sympathy through the Gong family's diverse relationships. Here, we look at the Gong family's key relationships that deliver both pleasant laughter and weighty emotion at the same time.
▲ Yu Ho-jeong·Kim Mi-suk, an in-law relationship more special than blood
Han Seong-mi (Yu Ho-jeong) and Na Seon-hae (Kim Mi-suk) drew attention with an affectionate closeness like "a mother and daughter from her parental home," beyond a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. Na Seon-hae is the family's strong pillar who raised the grandchildren like her own children on behalf of the busy Han Seong-mi and single-handedly handled the large household. In particular, Na Seon-hae's sincere words, conveyed by sending seaweed soup to her daughter-in-law Han Seong-mi, who was spending her birthday alone in Seoul, saying "thank you for becoming my daughter," delivered deep emotion to viewers.
It was also mother-in-law Na Seon-hae who warmly comforted Han Seong-mi, who was hurt by her husband Gong Jeong-han's (Kim Seung-soo) declaration of divorce. The scene in which Han Seong-mi pours out her true feelings to the apologetic Na Seon-hae, saying, "You are my mother, so where would I go?", showed the pinnacle of their special mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship embracing each other and delivered a deep resonance.
▲ Jin Se Yun·Kim Sun-bin, 100% relatable realistic siblings
Gong Ju-a (Jin Se Yun) and Gong Woo-jae (Kim Sun-bin) displayed an unusually genuine sibling chemistry. The way Gong Ju-a barges into her younger brother's room without knocking and Gong Woo-jae confronts her was pure reality. But behind their noisy daily life hides each sibling's story of enduring pain in their own ways.
Gong Ju-a, despite graduating from medical school and obtaining her medical license, boldly chose to pursue her dream as a designer rather than follow the predetermined path. In contrast, Gong Woo-jae, who watched over her, resolved not to betray their mother's expectations and devoted himself to studying for the national medical exam, but he secretly endures by taking anxiety medication due to excessive exam stress. The exchange in which Gong Woo-jae says, "Noona must have no stress. You say everything you want and live that way," and Gong Ju-a retorts, "You must have nothing to get angry about. You're very understanding," showcases the realistic back-and-forth of siblings and adds vitality to the drama.
▲ Kim Seung-soo·Choi Dae-chul, the tearful struggle of the dumb and dumber brothers
Gong Jeong-han (Kim Seung-soo) and his reliable supporter and younger brother Gong Dae-han (Choi Dae-chul) play the so-called "dumb and dumber" brothers, responsible for the drama's energy. Gong Jeong-han secretly declared his candidacy for merchants' association president without his wife Han Seong-mi knowing, and Gong Dae-han enthusiastically takes photos, saying, "Popularity is your thing, hyung," showing perfect chemistry that provided pleasant laughter. In particular, their clumsy spy game—scribbling on Gong Jeong-han's campaign posters late at night and then trying to pin it on rival Yang Dong-ik (Kim Hyung-mook)—amplified the dramatic fun.
However, the marital relationships of these brothers took a new turn. Unlike Gong Jeong-han and Han Seong-mi, who show a husband-and-wife chemistry that swings between conflict and reconciliation, Gong Dae-han, who boasted newlywed-like harmony even five years into marriage, was cast under a dark shadow. A shocking incident occurred in which his wife Lee Hee-gyeong (Kim Bo-jung) had an affair and ran off with money. The unexpected tragedy that befell Gong Dae-han's story raises curiosity about what ripple effects it will bring to the Gong family going forward.
In this way, "Recipe For Love" delicately depicts the diverse facets of our family. Attention is focused on how the Gong family will overcome each of their crises and strengthen their bonds in future developments.
Meanwhile, episode 7 of KBS2 weekend drama "Recipe For Love" will air on the 21st at 8 p.m.
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