EXID alumnus actress Ahn Heeyeon (Hanni) announced her return through Love On The Menu. After overcoming personal life issues and appearing before the public for the first time in three years, attention is focused on whether she can offer consolation and hope to the public.
On the 22nd at The Saint Wedding in Sindorim, Guro-gu, Seoul, a production presentation was held for KBS2's new weekend drama Love On The Menu. Director Hong Seok-gu, actors Ha Seok-jin, Ahn Heeyeon (Hanni), Park Yuna, Bae Jung-nam, Kwon Hae-hyo, Yoon Yoo-sun, Ryu Seung-soo and Jin Kyung attended the event and spoke.
Love On The Menu is a family recipe drama about two men and women who gather the fragments of a broken family to prepare the warmest table in life. Director Hong Seok-gu greeted the audience, saying, "It is a drama about two people who loved and parted meeting again and how they come to love each other again, and through that process the broken family comes together again and the family is reestablished. I think it is a cheerful, bright and hopeful drama. I ask for your much interest."
Ha Seok-jin plays Kim Moo-jin, the owner-chef of an Italian restaurant. He introduced the character, saying, "Moo-jin grew up in a good environment, but while pursuing what he loves and the person he loves he encounters a rough road, yet he thinks his path is right and is a straightforward character who goes straight ahead." He added, "I think this is the first time I am doing a work with such a long breath. Recent works were completed and then went through postproduction for a while and were released months later, if not years later at the longest, but we are filming and broadcasting at the same time, so there is an excitement and a slight trembling I feel for the first time in a while," expressing his feelings.
He said, "After the broadcast airs, I feel the atmosphere where reactions can be conveyed to the set for the first time in a while. With this week's immediate broadcast and outdoor filming the next day, I am focused on adjusting the balance of receiving and releasing energy over a long period of time. It is thrilling and interesting. It is a long breath, and a senior told me one should go through a KBS drama at least once, so I am grateful to be able to show my face for an extended time and I approach it with that gratitude," he said.
Ahn Heeyeon returned to acting for the first time in three years through the role of side-dish shop employee Han Gyu-rim. In particular, Ahn Heeyeon announced her marriage to psychiatrist Yang Jae-woong in 2024, but suffered a blow when a patient death occurred at Yang Jae-woong's hospital. The attending physician and other hospital staff were indicted on charges including professional negligence resulting in death and violations of the Act on the Improvement of Mental Health and the Support for Welfare Services for Mental Patients, and Yang Jae-woong's hospital proceeded with closure. Ahn Heeyeon's marriage to Yang Jae-woong was postponed indefinitely, and Ahn Heeyeon, who was affected by the fallout, halted her acting activities for a time.
Amid this, when asked about the burden of returning with Love On The Menu, Ahn Heeyeon said, "I feel sorry for causing concern to many people because of personal matters. In fact, it is embarrassing to talk about my personal story in this setting. Many people worked hard with all their hearts on this project, and my greatest wish is that their efforts are not harmed. Therefore, I ask for generous understanding for parts where it is difficult to give a detailed answer." She added, "Of course it was very burdensome. But that is something I must bear, so I am doing my best and staying strong. I am grateful to be able to meet many people through a weekend drama. Through the character Gyu-rim, I want to give many people consolation, hope and love."
He said, "Gyu-rim has many similarities to me but also many differences, so I worked hard to understand her better by learning to cook and seeking various experiences. I think I have become fairly close to Gyu-rim and can understand her more." Director Hong Seok-gu also praised her, saying, "When I first met her I already felt Han Gyu-rim. I felt like I had met Han Gyu-rim, and through various shoots I kept confirming that my first impression was not wrong."
Also, Ha Seok-jin, who shares a romantic storyline with Ahn Heeyeon, said, "I am doing romance in a drama that puts romance at the forefront for the first time in a while. There have been various external stories about actress Ahn Heeyeon, but I think those things give her the strength to have time to concentrate and condense her energy in this work. I did not know how many years she had not done a drama, but if a veteran actor who has received such an opportunity in the field after a long time, I thought they would have energy they want to recharge and release, and I approached the role with that in mind, and on set I am surprised and receiving energy well. I consider it a stroke of luck. We are not such a smooth couple on set. We do not start off all lovey-dovey. There are scenes where one advances in flashback sequences, but I look forward to how they will become closer and how much hotter the romance will be. Their chemistry so far has been great, and I am grateful to my co-star Ahn Heeyeon as we film," he offered in encouragement and support.
In response, Ahn Heeyeon said, "Before filming I wanted to get closer to oppa, so we went hiking. We had many deep conversations, got to know each other naturally and grew closer so we could start strongly. During filming, because it is my first work in a long time, there were many unknowns and shortcomings, but whenever that happened oppa would watch like a tsundere and help me little by little, so I relied on him a lot and I am grateful. Because of that feeling I think it shows well on screen, so I am relieved," expressing her gratitude.
Park Yoo-na plays Han Gyu-young, Gyu-rim's younger sister born the following year and a dermatology paid doctor. She described the character's charm, saying, "Gyu-young is self-centered, ambitious and confident, but deep inside she is warm and thinking of her family. Han Gyu-young fights with everyone. I thought she could be hated a lot. I tried to make her a character who can be disliked but also understood, and there are slight comedic parts with senior Jeong-nam. I tried to add an irresistible cuteness so people cannot hate her."
Bae Jung-nam, who plays Jo Heung-sik, Gyu-rim's male friend, said, "Jo Heung-sik helps his widowed mother who runs a side-dish shop and is unemployed. He is a sturdy, down-to-earth and loyal character. He is honest, easygoing and not pretentious. He cannot tolerate injustice. In that respect viewers will find it satisfying. They will feel a sense of revenge and such. He has that simple-hearted image. His usual manner comes through, making it comfortable to act."
Kwon Hae-hyo, who plays Jang Hoon-tae, Yoon-hee (played by Yoon Yoo-sun)'s remarried husband and the president of a fashion company, described his character: "He runs a fashion company and carries early wounds from the past; as the father of one child he forms a new family and becomes entangled in complicated family relations, but he tries to protect his family." He added, "It seems quite different from my usual self. There will be similar aspects. In a long-breath drama, actors do not decide and create everything beforehand; as you work, the piece lives and moves like a living thing, following its flow and creating momentum. My character and all relationships are completed the moment they reach viewers, so I too look forward to the first broadcast and expect to be stimulated while watching it."
Meanwhile, Ryu Seung-soo, who plays Han Seok-jung, Yoon-hee's ex-husband and the irresponsible father of the Han family, confessed, "This character is so changeable and complex that I must continue to study him even now. One thing for sure is that if the drama is loved by many viewers, I think I will receive a lot of criticism." He said, "Every scene is difficult and memorable. Every scene with senior Yoon Yoo-sun and Jin Kyung is not easy and is all challenging. There is an ex-husband and a current husband for Yoon-hee, but the sure thing is the current husband is much richer. I am very poor and shameless character. I aim for a big hit. As an actor, I really want this role. In a way it feels like a buffet gathering all character types. In this situation I cannot be shameless, but doing this role made me feel I can be shameless even in this situation, which gives a sense of catharsis," he said, arousing curiosity.
Yoon Yoo-sun, who plays Go Yoon-hee, the birth mother of Gyu-rim, Gyu-young and Gyu-o, said, "This role has the most pain and many things to be thankful for in the drama. Among the roles I have taken, it seems I play the mother of the most children. Having many children means having many opportunities to express emotions, so I was given a role that can express various emotions." She spoke about Ryu Seung-soo's role Han Seok-jung, saying, "I find him so disgusting. I hate him to death. Because he hurt me so much, no matter what Seung-soo does this time it will not look good. He caused such deep wounds. On the other hand, senior Hae-hyo is very cool in real life, playing guitar and enjoying culture. In the drama he is endlessly embracing and loving, so I completely empathize and now want to love oppa Hae-hyo. I want to give (Ryu Seung-soo) a huge smack on the back," she said, bringing laughter.
Jin Kyung, who plays Hong Ok-seon, Moo-jin's mother and the owner of Dongyun Group, said, "She is a straight-forward character who passed on Kim Moo-jin's direct style personality. She is like a woman who built a company. I think I will be criticized early on too," and expressed concern. She praised Ryu Seung-soo, saying, "I think I met a life role; it fits perfectly. I feel like I am flying. I have long loved Ryu Seung-soo's comic acting. I thought he was very good at funny roles, but he kept playing villains. This time his comic side is fully displayed. Personally he is the mascot of our drama. I think of him as a flower," she admired.
Director Hong Seok-gu spoke about Love On The Menu, saying, "As many of you know, writer Lee Kyung-hee is a writer who has created many excellent works. Personally I was excited and anticipated working on a weekend drama with the writer. Reading the script I felt she writes very attractive characters. There are abundant lines that even I find impressive in the script, so I thought it would be fun to direct. I felt we could make an attractive drama. The message of this drama is about love and family. Many weekend dramas unfold stories about family and love, but especially this drama tries to probe and reveal that a bit more deeply, so I thought it is a serious drama making that effort," he appealed.
When asked about target ratings, he said, "Specific figures are difficult," but added, "I hope it does better than the drama I made before. I think it scored in the 20s percent before, so I hope it does better than that," revealing cautious hopes. Bae Jung-nam then declared, "I want 25%," drawing attention.
When asked about points that could raise ratings, director Hong Seok-gu said, "Among the dramas I made, this one had the best public reaction. There was no one inside who said it was not fun. I indirectly experienced that I made it enjoyably with the actors." He continued, "When I think about what makes a drama spectacular, it seems to be the emotional changes of characters. It is sufficiently spectacular. Watching the editing, the emotional changes, situational changes and events mesh tightly, so I dare say viewers will find it enjoyable." He expressed confidence. Kwon Hae-hyo emphasized, "To me, the highlight video came out a bit mild. I think there are some things hidden," he said.
Finally, director Hong Seok-gu encouraged viewing, saying, "Although the status and role of weekend dramas are fading, personally I hope Love On The Menu will become a good drama that raises the value and power of weekend dramas again. I ask for much interest." Especially Ahn Heeyeon added, "Reading the script gave me much comfort. I am so happy to be able to deliver a warm story together. I expect many people will receive the comfort I received. I will film hard from now on and ask for much love and interest," she added.
Meanwhile, Love On The Menu will premiere on the 25th at 8 p.m.
[photo] OSEN reporter Park Joonhyung
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