Actor Ahn Heeyeon delivered a thrilling catharsis to home viewers with a coming-of-age story about finding herself amid trials.
In the recent episode of KBS 2TV weekend drama Love On The Menu (directed by Hong Seok-gu / written by Lee Kyung-hee), episodes 11 and 12 depicted Han Gyurim (played by Ahn Heeyeon) finally putting down the burden of sacrifice and resolutely setting out to find herself amid unending incidents and accidents.
That day the household situation surrounding Han Gyurim was chaotic. Her father Han Seok-jung (played by Ryu Seung-soo) caused a commotion when he was taken away on charges of dine-and-dash, and her younger brothers Han Gyuo (played by Bae Yoon-gyu) and Han Gyuseo (played by Park Su-o) headed to the police station after a scuffle. Still, the family's childish attitude of dumping accident cleanup on the eldest daughter left Han Gyurim extremely exhausted.
In the end, Han Gyurim's patience reached its limit. Realizing she had lived having lost her mother, her baby, love and even herself, Han Gyurim made a refreshing bombshell declaration in front of the family, saying, "I resign as the eldest daughter of this house." She told them to find housing on their own within three months, and her decision of "each to survive on their own" delivered explosive satisfaction to viewers.
The presence of helpers cheering for Han Gyurim also shone through. The warm support from Jo Heung-sik (played by Bae Jung-nam) and her younger brother Han Gyuseo, as well as the tender maternal love of her mother Ko Yun-hee (played by Yoon Yoo-sun), who went to confront the person who bullied her biological daughter and carried out a small revenge, amplified the emotion.
Buoyed by the independent K-eldest daughter's standing on her own, Love On The Menu recorded a national household rating of 17.0% (Nielsen Korea), breaking its own record once again and adding sail to its rising ratings.
It remains to be seen what proactive moves Han Gyurim, who has thrown away the title of K-eldest daughter, will show going forward.<
[Photo] Love On The Menu broadcast capture
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