I really liked the story and the characters,but the scenario had some flaws,as we couldve seen much intercation between the two main leads especially on the later episodes,the mother disapproval was a bit unecessary especially if we keep in mind that the chef helped them by hiring them in their time of need.Poong's wife diasappeared suddenly although she was the main reason behind the revenge,poong's disappointment should've been written more detailed,and also I wanted to see a happy ending for chill-sung with the veterinerian.
Over all I enjoyed the show and almost finished it in 1 day,i recommend it.
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ninnishka_alex15 July 2020
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AJ_McAninch21 September 2019I love the two male leads, most of the cast. The romance was lukewarm until the end when it was playful, but still not very believable. Jang Hyuk is already an established, great actor, but he wasn't used well. JunHo is even better in Rain or Shine and Confession; has a terrific future because he's super gifted. Enjoyed much of the series but found the writing erratic especially in the final episodes. Really tired of intrusive mother figures, and this one is a dolt. Good series, but not great.
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kinogems5 January 2022It was very entertaining for me in all aspects. Started it only for Junho but came to like all the characters. It has FOOD,so much of it that I couldn't give it any less than an 8. Loved the success story too.
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chilligrrl13 January 2020First off I have to admit I'm a serious fangirl of Junho, but even though I'm slightly biased, this was a very good show with lots of twists, turns, drama, laughter, food and just plain good fun. My only criticism is that they suddenly forgot the horse for about 10 episodes (seriously one of the best characters) and a few differing dishes would have been nice, but all in all it was a great show and i'll totally recommend it, even if you're not a JH fangirl like me.
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leahcubed15 April 2020Seo Poong (Lee Jun-Ho) worked hard to become a star chef and the hotel restaurant has raised the status of the entire hotel. He is on the verge of marrying the daughter of his deceased mentor not only because he loves her but to fulfill a promise to take care of her. He is also receiving recognition for his skill and anticioates a promotion. Little does he know that jealousy and greed have caused a turn of events where he loses all he holds dear. Seo-Poong swallows his pride and strikes up a deal with the former gangster loan shark who bought a restaurant to provide honest work for his friends who are also former gangsters. The restaurant owned by the former gang members failed in the shadow of the prestigious hotel restaurant. Now it looks like the star chef has vowed to turn the failed restaurant into a winning competitor to draw business and get his revenge on the hotel executives who back stabbed him. Doo Chi-Sung (Jang Hyuk) was a tough gangster but hides a kind and soft side along with a deep loyalty for those he considers friends. He agrees to help Seo Pong if he will turn the former gangsters into successful cooks. Training former gangsters with no respect for authority is a challenge Seo Poong may not be up to. Both men had chance encounters with Dan Sae-woo (Jung Ryeo-won) whose husband left her after her father suffered financial scandal and rJin. This down on her luck heiress keeps bumping into the men and tugging their heartstrings. Can this unlikely group make a successful go at the restaurant and will Seo Poong get his revenge? Which of the men will the damsel in distress choose?
I really liked this and am surprised this is not more prominent in searches of good Asian romantic comedies. I loved so many of the characters in this. The "thugs", in particular boss thug, Chi-sung, had great character depth. He was someone who became who he was in order to survive being orphaned at a young age. He seemed tough on the surface but, in reality, he had a warm heart and giving nature to all of those in his inner circle. Poong approached him early on to strike a deal to be able to get revenge on those that had stabbed him in the back. The love/hate relationship between Poong and Chi-sung was destined to be a great bromance. I really was not sure, until toward the end, who the lead lady would choose. Both seemed like they were great for her in their way. The story was interesting and compelling, it was well acted, the plot moved along at an appropriate pace, and it ended well. The only thing I did not like was there was some loose ends. There was an almost romance between Chi-sung and a woman he kept encountering that you never know what happens to. Chi-sung's mother - you do not know the outcome with her. You suspect that the two that end up together get married but do not know for sure. Still, it was not enough to totally detract from how good this story was. I was interested from beginning to end and was sad to have it end. I know when I get drama withdrawal that I really liked the series. And I felt that way with this one. -
geewhiz464 January 2023This is a David and Goliath battle between a talented chef who is sacked from a luxury hotel kitchen and starts up a small restaurant of his own with the help of a gangster.
He eventually meets and becomes involved with the FL who is in reduced circumstances due to her wealthy father being framed.
He employs her - and soon is asked for work by three people whom he does not know are part of her family. He gives them all jobs and a right ungrateful bunch they are. They are very willing to betray him and leave him stranded despite him giving them work when they needed it. I find this aspect of the story very distasteful - I had no liking or sympathy for the three concerned after that.
Of course we have the interfering and dominant mother - this is a constant occurrence in Kdramas - and it is well past its sell-by date.
There is the usual love triangle as the gangster who gave the ML his chance to set up another business - is also in love with the FL.
For her part she got on my nerves with her constant chirpy grin and ridiculous appearance with a fencing mask and a horse.
It wasn't funny in the least - neither were the talking horse scenes.
There were so many cooking scenes it looked like a documentary at some points - just pure filler - forgive the pun.
That poor little kitten - forever licking concrete which somebody had smeared some fish oil on by the looks of it. So cruel.
I liked the two ML's - but the rest of them were pretty forgettable except the guy with the grey hair.
It was too long - and suffered seriously from a lack of originality and fresh ideas. There are only so many times you can use love triangles - parental interference - enforced separation - and deliberate misunderstandings to drive a plot forward.
It's worth watching with a finger on the ff button for the endless cookery scenes. -
rguddu_india15 May 2021Story: An uptight young cook displaced from his hotel job by the conspiring CEO, sets a new restaurant. A cheerful young girl whose family is suddenly penniless, works at his restaurant along with her family. The restaurant's good hearted owner who was a gangster in the past, flirts her and later helps the duo.
Some animal cutting/boiling scenes for the kitchen which may be disturbing to some.
Lovely Chinese-kind-of flute music throughout.
Genre: food, divorce, love triangle, revenge, contest/game, sneaky romance, love without breakup, happy ending, remarriage.
Watch for the girl...so beautiful and a delight to watch. The guy is good at the start and fell short of being handsome towards the end. The second guy is good and his mannerisms are memorable.
Some silly ideas towards the end episodes like a contest deciding the owner of the hotel, silly hand fights, family's opposition without much conviction, but tolerable. The lead couple's clean open conveying of love for each other, that remained pure and unhindered till the end was exactly the type that pleases me, so a big thumbs up from me. The girl's maturity in dealing with harsh behaviour at work and family friction- rare to see in kdrama.
It had my interest right from the start and i finished it nonstop and I will definitely watch it again. A 7+/-1 from me. -
alaningle713 April 2021An outstanding chef who is about to be married unfairly loses his job at a top hotel and falls in with a gangster who runs a wok restaurant opposite the hotel. They both have links with a rich young lady who too is about to be married and their separate lives will soon come together. A well acted drama with both the leads portraying a romance blossoming and plenty of wok cooking action.
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jaclyn_cyf25 January 2021Enjoyable even though the script doesn't have depth and sometimes doesn't make much sense. However just watch and be entertained and don't think too much. Then you will enjoy it as the cute lead actor and actress will make you smile and laugh and even teary eyed with their antics.
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ushagowri-6073612 October 2021For one, the situational humor was fun. Second no overacting esp by the heroine. Third great actors. Fourth not tacky . Yet many underated it.
Watch it for the actors . For some fun.food techniques. -
sonia-951117 January 2022I really enjoyed this show. It's sometimes a bit convoluted and I think the plot could have done with some more work but wow, Lee Jun Ho is fabulous in this!! He really immerses himself in his roles!! Loved his work as a Chef!! It is wonderful to see all the wok ways!! Inspiring actually! It's enjoyable to watch and worth it!!
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hanalisss19 August 2023Serves up a delectable blend of romance, comedy, and mouthwatering food. Its charming storyline and endearing characters create an irresistible package that kept me thoroughly entertained. The dynamic between the main characters is brimming with chemistry, making their journey from rivalry to romance utterly captivating.
The drama's unique setting, a struggling restaurant, provides a refreshing backdrop for the unfolding love story. The comedic moments are well-timed, injecting levity into the narrative without overshadowing the emotional beats. The culinary theme adds an extra layer of enjoyment, as the characters' passion for cooking and the mouthwatering dishes they create become a feast for the senses.
This was a heartwarming journey that celebrates the power of resilience, friendship, and love. The stellar performances, witty dialogue, and delectable food scenes make it a standout in the world of kdramas. Whether you're a foodie, a romance enthusiast, or simply looking for an engaging and uplifting watch, this series offers a truly satisfying experience that will leave you hungry for more. -
PennyReviews30 July 2018Wok of love had only one thing going for it : food. That's it. The love story was boring, as the two characters had no chemistry and not reason to be together. The love triangle tried to spicen thing up a little, but in the end, it was a failure as well. I'm only rating this one with 3,5 stars out of 10 because of the performances that were nice and decent and because at some point, the revenge story was entertaining. Other than that, this one is a boring drama easily dropped. It didn't bring something new or at least manage to entertain as a whole. And it is a shame, because the premises of the story were promising.
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grantham-151255 February 2024Since I enjoy cooking, especially Chinese cooking, I was tempted to watch this and gave it a go. It tells the story of an ambitious young chef who has built up the reputation of a posh hotel's kitchen to an award winning standard and has gained a Michelin Star in the process. All is not well, however and he is ousted from his prestigious job by the unscrupulous management. He vows to take revenge and starts a small Chinese restaurant directly opposite the hotel with the aim of drawing their customers away. He is helped in this by a gangster and his henchmen, who at the beginning were annoying and unlikeable. Stick with it though - they improve. The cast are great and work well together, but the star of the show is Jung Ryeo-Won who is an absolute delight to watch as the love interest for the young chef. She is seriously cute and has a terrific flair for comedy too. Watch out too for Jang Hyuk as the gangster boss who is much deeper than he at first appears. Lee Jun-Ho plays the young chef and there is great chemistry between him and Jung Ryeo-Won. It is fascinating to watch a busy Chinese kitchen at work and to watch some of the dishes prepared. Well worth a watch in my opinion.
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frida-halltorp13 January 2023I really like the chemistry between the lead characters. If you want romance I can fully recommend it. They built it up nicely and it feels very credible.
However, there are obvious misses and lazy screenwriting and it is really a shame. Some characters just disappear like they were never in the show and the last episodes are a bit too cringe to watch. The mother is just insanely annoying and I can't understand how no one can say anything.
But the story is fun to start with and only in Korea you can make it work between a chef, a rich business daughter and a gangster.
So, most of all, I really liked the couple and their acting, the show got me inspired and I enjoyed the bromance so that's why it got an 8. -
Love. Love was the main ingredient in this beautiful dish of a tv show. The interwoven individual stories of the three main protagonists make you want the best for the characters. There is ample comedy, romance, thrill by the gangster, camaraderie, cuteness all around, naïveté and a lot of pure acting that makes you want to see how it ends. Since the show revolves around a restaurant, you will see beautiful dishes being made and served, which was a pleasant sight for me as an avid watcher of cooking shows. Overall it is a cute love story with unpredictable nuances and situations.
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fake_moviestar11 February 2021This show had a number of great characters that are all well developed. Poong is a great main character played by the fabulous Lee Jun-Ho. He is a super talented actor, and while this role was a lot less heavy than the others I have seen him in, he brings his all to the table and it shows in his very well-rounded character. His chemistry with the FL was amazing, they had such a great journey of awkward to flirty to outright affectionate. It was a very organic and natural relationship that was enjoyable to see develop. Sae Woo was a lovely and likeable FL and I enjoyed watching her and Poong overcome the garbage previous relationships they were in.
As for the legendary Jang Hyuk, as in everything, he is a scene stealer. Jang Hyuk just has this certain "je ne sais quoi" factor that makes him utterly magnetizing. Two gripes I had with how his character was written - why the love triangle? It was unnecessary and didn't even help move the plot along, or even create drama, it just sort of existed. And second, why portray him as a chef in the posters?? Just weird.
The plot was actually really interesting and held my attention every episode. Was this a hang by the seat of your pants type of show? No, but you definitely feel invested in what will happen to our main characters. I felt like the restaurant business was portrayed fairly realistically, to the point where I was getting flashback's to the stress of being a waitress. I enjoyed the cooking scenes a lot, they were beautifully filmed and always made me hungry.
Now for what I disliked - the second half of the show is immensely better than the first. For the first half the writing and tone are all over the place for many episodes, with some weird quirky scenes with a horse who is in love with the FL? I feel like they tried really hard to make the FL into some weird, eccentric girl, but then about halfway they decided okay now she's just cute and normal. I really hated how this tone carried into some of the more serious scenes of the show, making them feel cheap and tacky instead of poignant. And lastly, the FL's mother is absolutely intolerable. Particularly in the second half of the show. I am shuddering just thinking about her annoying facial expressions and whiny tone.
Overall this was a decent watch, but I wouldn't re-watch and I don't know if I would recommend it, because you have to get through a LOT of episodes before this felt worthwhile. -
rahayuabubakar25 February 2019Chef Poong most annoying main character. I hate drama with too much screaming. This drama may not suitable for individuals with depression. The chef screaming and emotions might trigger negativity. However, i love the heroin poker face character. She is beautiful and very soothing smile.
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If this comedy romance series had been just 12 hours instead of 19 it would have been good. There are too many unnecessary and repetitive scenes and plot lines that make it feel dragged out. The first few episodes are confusing. Hard to figure out the relationship between the characters. Could have been clearer. It's basically a cooking competition between 2 restaurants. The triangle isn't really a triangle. The 2 leads are both married to bad people and get divorced.
The stars are all appealing although Lee Junho as the hot tempered chef shouts too much. Jang Hyuk plays a cool gangster. Jung Ryeo Won is bubbly but smiles too much. A bit tiresome. Lee Mi Sook plays a dual role as 2 mothers. She alternates between looking glam rich woman and a beggar quite convincingly. The gangster fights are exciting. The cooking technique looks polished. The mother opposition part seems so tacked on and annoying. The last third of the show could have been condensed into one or two episodes. -
I wanted to love this drama so much. The chemistry and love and understanding between the leads was exceptional, ost and bgm was nice, the brotherhood between the two male leads was lovely, all cooking and food scenes were very well done.
So many good things about the show, then why 4/10 ? Because the annoying parts are so annoying that they overshadow all the good stuff about this.
Been through 100's of shows and kdramas, and I don't remember when was the last time I was so literally pissed off by lousy writing and characters. This was the most shallow, cheap and ridiculous FL leads family in a kdrama. Hands down, nothing comes close to this. They were more evil than the actual antagonists of the show. ML gives work to 3 of her family members when they needed most, he trusts them blindly, but they lie to him throughout the show, not once they're sorry or guilty towards him, and above all they keep ridiculing him at every chance they get, they are ready to betray him at any moment, if it wasn't for the FL and constant begging and pleading of the ML, they would've faster than the particles in LHC. Everytime FL mom came on screen I wanted the earth to crack upon and swallow her. That Aunt was dating literally a thug but had the balls to ridicule ML for dating FL and not being good enough for her. I get these overbearing parents trope kdramas, but here the writer took it way too far, way too much that it can't be ignored.
The writing was so poor with these characters and sub plot. And the writers completely forgot the ex wife of ML, like not even a mention after the initial first few episodes. It's an issue because she was one of the core reason for everything that happened to ML and the main revenge plot of the show. But writers just forgot her completely.
It would have been a great show, an easy 8+. But the lousy writing ruined it. The lead pair did such amazing job and carried the show throughout. I almost gave up this show several times, but somehow managed to pull through just to see the leads ending happily.