MaryMeKpop

I REALLY like this drama. Like, like it like it. Like a lot. Although I’ve seen a few dramas since “Melo Movie”, I’ve honestly been sort of in a slump and waiting for that one drama to finally get me over the hump. And I think “Tastefully Yours” might just be the drama that does that.

Episodes 3 and 4 gave us plenty more: we got one more addition to the team as well as plenty of more adorable and hilarious interactions between Yeon-joo and Beom-woo. The thing that I love the most about this drama is the found family/teamwork trope and it’s a trope/theme that I eat up most of the time! It’s just so good and heartwarming and I love watching the characters bond over time. “Tastefully Yours” executes this trope in a way that is natural, seamless, funny, and sweet. In episode 3, we saw our Jungjae team welcome a new member named Shin Chun-seung. He originally started off as an enemy and rival but eventually got adopted into the team because of an incident (that wasn’t his fault) which eventually became an opportunity for him to connect and spend more time with them. And eventually, that connection with the trio grew stronger and he somehow found his way into the group. Their teamwork proved to be great and compatible when they entered a food truck competition in episode 4 where each member played a crucial role in the success of the competition. Although they didn’t win the competition because the score was rigged and came in second place, their success was a testament to their hard work, teamwork, and dedication.

I didn’t know a whole lot about the drama going into it so I wasn’t expecting Chun-seung to be a member of the team and I thought he was going to simply stay as the enemy/rival of our trio. It was why I was content to see him join because I actually thought his story was pretty interesting. I liked his vulnerability and honesty when he cried to the trio about his struggles and how he once had dreams when he was a little kid but had to throw that all away because of his dad. Up until that point, it seemed like he was just this silly troublemaker and rebel but it turned out that he actually had a backstory and that there was more to him. Something else that I really liked was the way that our trio opened up to him. When Chun-seung was falsely accused of starting the fire that destroyed Yeon-joo’s restaurant, she gave him three days to make up for his actions. When Chun-seung cried about the reality of his current situation, Beom-woo welcomed him by teaching him how to fix the bathroom wall even if Beom-woo didn’t have to. Beom-woo’s fierce and haughty so he showed Chun-seung some of that tough love in that moment but it was still love that he showed and it was his way of welcoming Chun-seung into their group (also I loved their little teamwork at the end of episode 4 when they rushed to complete the application to enter the competition. The “Look! It’s BTS!” joke was so funny and great!).

The drama also elevated the romance between Beom-woo and Yeon-joo and I couldn’t help but smile and squeal at how rapidly Beom-woo was falling for Yeon-joo. Don’t get me wrong – Yeon-joo also developed feelings for him but Beom-woo was the type who just couldn’t help it. He smiled when he looked at her, he got all shy and nervous around her, and he thought about her often. The scene that stole my heart and attention was at the end of episode 4 when Beom-woo was talking to Chef Young-hye. And for a second, he glanced over at Yeon-joo playing ddakji with a group of little kids before going back to talk to Young-hye and when he stared at Yeon-joo, he had this small grin on his face. Oh my goodness, I smiled like a fool watching this scene and just loved absolutely everything about it. Even though he kept on denying it, Beom-woo couldn’t pretend anymore and he confessed to Yeon-joo at the end of episode 4 (and even kissed her as well!). I thought things were moving a little too fast until I remembered that this drama was only 10 episodes long, hence, the faster pacing (what’s with dramas that I enjoy being only 10 episodes long? First “Melo Movie” and then now this drama. How sad!).

There was another sub-plot that the drama introduced in episode 3 which was about the stranger who started the fire that destroyed Yeon-joo’s restaurant. I’m really hoping this isn’t a case of “Crash Course in Romance” where the general vibe is bright, upbeat, colorful, and positive and then it suddenly gives you whiplash with the whole mystery/thriller aspect of the show. I loved “Crash Course in Romance” because it did everything so well except for the random mystery/thriller sub-plot so I’m reallyyyyy hoping “Tastefully Yours” doesn’t go this route. I hope Beom-woo was correct in that it was his brother who was behind the incident because I don’t know how I’ll feel about an entirely new character or even an existing character who hasn’t played that big of a role just yet being the person behind it. I don’t think this sub-plot is really needed and I’m not entirely sure why it became a thing. I just hope there’s some intention or plan behind the introduction of the fire sub-plot and that it wraps up sooner than later so that it doesn’t become too distracting and random. I’m not so sure where the drama plans on going with this, which is what makes me nervous.

All in all, this week’s episodes of “Tastefully Yours” was well done. I’m glad that I now have a reason to look forward to Mondays and Tuesdays because this drama was everything that I wanted it to be and more. Here’s to hoping it doesn’t stray too far away from its charm and brilliancy by throwing in this random mystery/thriller sub-plot. You don’t need to go there or do that, “Tastefully Yours.” You’re already wonderful just the way you are!