Key takeaways
- The series is written by Lee Kyung Hee, an acclaimed screenwriter known for crafting emotionally layered melodramas in works such as *Uncontrollably Fond* and *The Innocent Man*.
- Hani’s participation in “Love On The Menu” represents her most significant return to scripted television since EXID scaled back group activities and she transitioned to solo projects under Sublime Artist Agency.
- The series will stream on Viu, the confirmed international streaming partner, extending its reach beyond KBS2’s domestic broadcast audience.
- Viewers and industry observers should monitor the drama’s performance in the critical first two weeks of broadcast, as KBS2 weekend slots traditionally establish viewership patterns early.
Ha Seok-jin and EXID member Hani will reunite on screen as former lovers in the upcoming KBS2 weekend drama “Love On The Menu” (Korean title: *Sarang-i Onda*), set to premiere on July 25, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. KST. The 50-episode series marks a significant career milestone for Hani, who returns to scripted television after approximately three years away from acting to focus on solo projects. The drama explores themes of family healing and social class conflict through the lens of a romantic reunion eight years in the making.
A “Family Recipe Drama” Unites Two Broken Hearts
The production team has positioned “Love On The Menu” as a “family recipe drama about two people gathering the fragments of a broken family to serve the warmest meal of their lives.” This description, released alongside the first trailer on July 16, 2026, signals that the narrative transcends a conventional Romance storyline, instead weaving together culinary imagery with emotional restoration. The drama replaces the current weekend offering *Recipe for Love* in the KBS2 slot, continuing the network’s tradition of food-centered narratives with deeper emotional resonance.
Ha Seok-jin portrays Kim Moo Jin, the wealthy owner and head chef of a successful Italian restaurant who conceals his true identity as the restaurant owner’s son. Hani plays Han Gyu Rim, a bright-spirited employee at a side-dish shop who struggles to support her family. The pair’s characters share a painful history: they dated for one year before separating, and their reunion eight years later forms the emotional core of the series. The social status gap between Moo Jin’s privileged background and Gyu Rim’s working-class reality drives much of the central conflict.
A Powerhouse Creative Team Returns to Weekend Romance
The series is written by Lee Kyung Hee, an acclaimed screenwriter known for crafting emotionally layered melodramas in works such as *Uncontrollably Fond* and *The Innocent Man*. Director Hong Seok Goo, who helmed *Beauty and Mr. Romantic*, rounds out the creative leadership. This pairing signals that KBS2 expects sophisticated storytelling grounded in character development rather than surface-level Romance tropes. The production companies Monster Union and Contents J are handling production duties.
Lee Kyung Hee’s return to the KBS2 weekend drama format carries particular weight within the industry, as her previous work established her reputation for mining emotional depth from reunion narratives and class-based relationship tensions. The director’s experience in romantic comedies with dramatic undertones suggests the series will balance humor and heartbreak throughout its 50-episode run. This creative alignment indicates that producers are banking on both the writing and direction to elevate the material beyond standard K-Drama formula.
Supporting Cast Adds Depth to Family and Friendship Dynamics
The supporting cast lineup includes Park You Na as Gyu Rim’s sister Han Gyu Yeong, Bae Jung Nam as Gyu Rim’s friend Jo Heung Sik, Min Jin Woong as Moo Jin’s friend Park Jeong U, and Lee Ju Yeon as fashion designer Jang Seo Hyeon. Bae Jung Nam’s character has been highlighted for his Busan dialect and hidden emotional layers that extend beyond his cheerful public persona, suggesting the drama will develop secondary characters with complexity. These casting choices indicate that the narrative will explore how family and friendship networks either support or complicate the leads’ romantic reconnection.
The ensemble approach reflects a storytelling strategy common to successful KBS2 weekend dramas, where multiple relationship arcs intersect with the central romance. Park You Na’s role as Gyu Rim’s sister positions family obligation and loyalty as central themes, while the inclusion of both leads’ friend circles suggests potential love triangles or emotional complications that will sustain narrative tension across the 50-episode span. This multi-layered character ecosystem gives the production room to develop subplots that complement the reunion storyline.
Hani’s Acting Return After Three-Year Hiatus
Hani’s participation in “Love On The Menu” represents her most significant return to scripted television since EXID scaled back group activities and she transitioned to solo projects under Sublime Artist Agency. Her last major acting role came approximately three years ago, making this lead role in a weekend drama her most prominent television commitment in recent memory. The decision to cast her opposite Ha Seok-jin signals industry confidence in her ability to carry a lengthy drama format and anchor emotional scenes requiring dramatic range.
This casting marks a deliberate pivot toward acting as Hani’s primary career focus, departing from the group-centric model that defined her earlier years in entertainment. Her previous television work included roles in *The Sound of Your Heart* (2016) and *My Love From the Star* (2014), establishing a foundation for returning to dramatic work. The three-year gap between her last scripted role and this lead casting suggests that producers carefully selected this project as her re-entry point, banking on both her established fanbase and her proven ability to balance character work with the demands of a 50-episode production schedule.
International Distribution and Platform Strategy
The series will stream on Viu, the confirmed international streaming partner, extending its reach beyond KBS2’s domestic broadcast audience. This dual-platform strategy—simultaneous broadcast and streaming—reflects how major Korean networks now approach weekend dramas, recognizing that international audiences represent a significant portion of viewership. The 50-episode commitment ensures substantial content volume for the streaming platform, which has increasingly prioritized longer-form Korean dramas in its catalog.
The Viu distribution deal positions “Love On The Menu” for potential international success comparable to other KBS2 weekend dramas that have found audiences across Asia and beyond. Streaming availability removes geographical barriers that previously limited weekend drama viewership to domestic audiences, allowing the production to build momentum across multiple markets simultaneously. This approach also extends the drama’s commercial life beyond its broadcast window, generating sustained engagement through on-demand viewing patterns.
What Comes Next for “Love On The Menu”
Viewers and industry observers should monitor the drama’s performance in the critical first two weeks of broadcast, as KBS2 weekend slots traditionally establish viewership patterns early. The July 25, 2026 premiere date positions the series during summer television season, when competing programming may be lighter and audiences more receptive to extended melodrama viewing. Additional cast reveals, behind-the-scenes content, and fan responses during promotional activities will provide early signals about audience reception.
“Love On The Menu” arrives as a significant moment for both Ha Seok-jin’s continued leading-man status and Hani’s acting career renaissance. The production’s combination of acclaimed writing, experienced direction, a charismatic lead pairing, and international distribution infrastructure creates conditions for the drama to become a standout entry in the 2026 K-Drama landscape. The July 25 premiere will determine whether the series lives up to the considerable expectations its creative team and casting have generated.
