Ha Seok-jin and Hani’s Sweetest Moments: Love Blooms in “Love On The Menu”

Ha Seok-jin and Hani will reunite on screen for the first time in their careers when KBS2 premieres *Love on the Menu* on July 25, 2026, at 8:00 PM KST as a weekend family Romance drama. The production marks a significant milestone for both actors, bringing together a perfectionist head chef and his first love eight years after a painful breakup that fractured their lives. Director Hong Seok Goo and writer Lee Kyung Hee have crafted an emotionally layered narrative that explores themes of healing, family repair, and the redemptive power of reconnection.

A Reunion Story Eight Years in the Making

Ha Seok-jin portrays Kim Moo Jin, the prickly and emotionally guarded head chef of an Italian restaurant who has remained devotedly attached to his first love despite their separation. Hani, known for her music career with EXID, takes on her first major leading role in a romantic family drama as Han Gyu Rim, the woman who unexpectedly ended their relationship and resurfaces eight years later. The chemistry between the two leads forms the emotional backbone of the drama, as their characters navigate unresolved wounds and discover unexpected new directions for their lives.

In interviews, Ha Seok-jin highlighted the special appeal of working with Hani, emphasizing the story’s emotional depth and complex family themes that drew him to the project. Hani herself expressed vulnerability about the role, noting her desire to “lean on” Ha Seok-jin amid the troubled family dynamics her character faces. This dynamic between the two leads promises to deliver the intimate, emotionally resonant moments audiences have come to expect from KBS2’s weekend lineup.

Building a World of Fractured Families and Hidden Truths

The supporting cast of *Love on the Menu* extends the drama’s thematic focus on family conflict and emotional complexity. Park Yoo Na plays Han Gyu Young, Han Gyu Rim’s younger sister, while Bae Jung Nam takes on the role of Jo Heung Sik, a longtime male best friend whose presence adds another layer of tension to the reunion narrative. Additional cast members Jin Kyung and Ryu Seung Soo round out an ensemble designed to introduce intricate family dynamics that complicate the central Romance.

Director Hong Seok Goo, recognized for his emotionally driven family dramas, collaborates with writer Lee Kyung Hee, whose previous credits include popular romantic family series. Together, they have positioned *Love on the Menu* within KBS2’s proven formula for weekend dramas that balance intimate character work with broader family narratives. The production company’s commitment to this ensemble approach signals that the drama will not simply tell a love story, but will explore how reconnection between two people can ripple outward to affect siblings, friends, and extended family networks.

Marketing Momentum and Audience Anticipation

KBS unveiled its first trailer and character posters for *Love on the Menu* ahead of the July 25 premiere, offering audiences a visual and narrative preview of the tangled emotional landscape the drama will explore. The teaser content emphasizes the bittersweet tone of two ex-lovers rediscovering each other amid misunderstandings, family secrets, and the scars of their past separation. Character posters depicting Ha Seok-jin and Hani visually underscore their emotional separation and the hopeful promise of eventual reunion.

The marketing strategy reflects KBS2’s confidence in the project’s appeal to the network’s core weekend audience, which has consistently supported family-centered romantic dramas. The emphasis on emotional vulnerability and healing in promotional materials signals that *Love on the Menu* will prioritize character depth over plot mechanics, inviting viewers to invest in the psychological and emotional journeys of its principals.

Ha Seok-jin and Hani’s Career Trajectories Converge

For Ha Seok-jin, *Love on the Menu* represents another opportunity to showcase his range in romantic family dramas, a genre where he has built considerable credibility. For Hani, the role marks a pivotal moment in her transition from music entertainment to dramatic acting, positioning her as a serious contender in the television acting landscape. The pairing of these two actors—each at distinct points in their respective careers—creates an intergenerational appeal that broadens the drama’s potential audience reach.

Hani’s casting as a female lead in a major KBS2 weekend drama signals the network’s willingness to invest in former idol actors making the transition to serious dramatic roles. Ha Seok-jin’s participation alongside her suggests industry confidence that the two can anchor an emotionally demanding narrative across multiple episodes. This collaboration may establish a template for future projects pairing established dramatic actors with rising talents from the music industry.

The Weekend Drama Landscape and *Love on the Menu’s* Position

KBS2’s weekend drama slot has long served as a proving ground for emotionally resonant family narratives that attract multi-generational audiences. *Love on the Menu* enters this competitive space with a premise—two former lovers reuniting after years of separation—that taps into the nostalgia and bittersweet longing that characterizes the network’s most successful recent projects. The drama’s focus on family repair and emotional healing aligns with KBS2’s demonstrated audience preferences for stories that balance romance with broader social and familial concerns.

The July 25 premiere date positions *Love on the Menu* at a strategic moment in the Korean television calendar, when summer viewership patterns favor weekend dramas that offer escapism and emotional catharsis. The drama’s multi-episode format allows for sustained character development and the gradual unraveling of the mysteries that initially separated Ha Seok-jin and Hani’s characters.

What Lies Ahead for the Reunion Story

As *Love on the Menu* approaches its July 25 premiere, industry observers will monitor how audiences respond to Ha Seok-jin and Hani’s on-screen chemistry and whether the supporting ensemble successfully enriches the central narrative. The drama’s early weeks will prove crucial in establishing whether the eight-year separation between the leads can sustain narrative tension across a full season while allowing space for romantic rekindling and family reconciliation.

The success of *Love on the Menu* will likely influence casting decisions in the K-Drama industry regarding idol-to-actor transitions and may establish new benchmarks for how established dramatic actors can effectively mentor or partner with newer talents. Ha Seok-jin and Hani’s sweetest moments—whether those emerge as glances across a restaurant kitchen, conversations heavy with unspoken history, or quiet scenes of mutual understanding—will ultimately determine whether *Love on the Menu* joins the ranks of KBS2’s most memorable weekend dramas.