Ha Seok Jin Faces Family Resistance Over Hani in KBS Love on the Menu

KBS 2TV’s new romance drama Love on the Menu confronts a crucial test of its central relationship in Episode 3, as Ha Seok Jin’s character faces an unexpected family rebellion against his romance with EXID’s Hani. Rather than conflict between the leads themselves, the obstacle emerges from his mother’s firm opposition and an unexplained decision that shocks his entire family. Premiering on August 1 at 8 p.m. KST, Episode 3 captures the mounting emotional stakes as both leads navigate separate crises simultaneously.

The Premise of Rekindled Love

Love on the Menu centers on two former lovers reconnecting after eight years of separation. Kim Moo Jin, portrayed by Ha Seok Jin, and Han Gyu Rim, portrayed by EXID’s Hani, carry the weight of a painful breakup that fractured not only their relationship but the family structures surrounding them. The drama’s narrative explores how they work to rebuild connection and create warmth together, both romantically and as participants in each other’s healing family dynamics. Airing on KBS 2TV, the series grounds itself in emotional maturity and the possibility of second chances. The eight-year temporal gap serves as a crucial narrative device—long enough that both characters have evolved, yet recent enough that their feelings for one another have not entirely dissipated.

Ha Seok Jin’s Romantic Pursuit and Its Family Consequences

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From Rejection to Romance

Ha Seok Jin’s character embodies a particular romantic determination that unfolds across the series’ opening episodes. In early scenes, Kim Moo Jin confessed to his mother, Hong Ok Sun (played by Jin Kyung), that despite initial rejection from Han Gyu Rim, he possessed absolutely no intention of abandoning his romantic pursuit. He would not accept defeat. His persistence proved effective. Through consistent displays of genuine sincerity, Kim Moo Jin successfully transformed one-sided affection into mutual feeling. Han Gyu Rim accepted his romantic overture, and they officially became a couple. Yet this victory carried an immediate complication: his mother’s disapproval, previously expressed as a facial reaction, now threatened to become active opposition.

Hong Ok Sun’s Firm Opposition

Jin Kyung’s portrayal of Hong Ok Sun represents a particular maternal stance that emerges from something deeper than casual disapproval. When she first learned of her son’s romantic determination, she could not conceal her disapproving expression—a reaction that foreshadowed more serious resistance to come. In Episode 3, the tension escalates into direct confrontation. Newly released stills capture Kim Moo Jin and Hong Ok Sun locked in unwavering stares, neither showing any inclination to yield. His gaze reveals determination to hold firm. Her gaze returns his intensity with equal resolve. The visual composition emphasizes an emotional impasse: two people rooted in opposing positions, neither willing to compromise.

A Surprising Decision Shakes the Household

What transforms this parent-child tension into genuine crisis is Kim Moo Jin’s unexpected decision. The specifics remain undisclosed in promotional materials, but its impact registers across the entire family. Hong Ok Sun appears visibly shaken, as if unable to accept or process the reality before her. Her reaction goes beyond disappointment—it suggests something fundamental about the decision strikes at core family assumptions.

Multiple Crises Converge on the Couple

The Sister Joins the Resistance

Ha Seok Jin’s older sister, Kim Yoon Jin (portrayed by Mi Ram), becomes actively entangled in the fallout. Rather than remaining neutral, she appears deeply anxious, visibly attempting to dissuade her brother from his chosen path. Her concern transcends casual disapproval; it suggests a sense of familial urgency and awareness of serious consequences. The sister’s intervention broadens the family conflict beyond a simple mother-son disagreement. This becomes a household fracturing around a singular decision, with multiple family members feeling compelled to resist Kim Moo Jin’s choice.

Han Gyu Rim Faces Her Own Problem

While promotional focus centers on Kim Moo Jin’s family turmoil, EXID’s Hani’s character encounters a separate complication. Han Gyu Rim receives a phone call that visibly darkens her expression, suggesting bad news or an unexpected problem. The timing of her crisis—coinciding with Kim Moo Jin’s family escalation—raises critical questions: Will these two challenges collide? Will she face additional pressure precisely when the relationship needs to weather its first storm? The specifics of Han Gyu Rim’s situation remain undisclosed, but the implication is clear. The couple’s newly solidified romantic connection now faces simultaneous external stressors from multiple directions. Just as they have begun building shared happiness, forces are introducing complications that will test both their individual resilience and their capacity to support one another.

Episode 3’s Premiere and What Lies Ahead

Love on the Menu Episode 3 airs on August 1 at 8 p.m. KST on KBS 2TV. The episode marks the series’ transition from romantic setup into genuine crisis—a moment where both the strength of Ha Seok Jin and EXID’s Hani’s newly formed relationship and the resilience of Kim Moo Jin’s family bonds face their first real test. International viewers can access the drama on Viki with English subtitles. Those wanting to review Episodes 1 and 2 before Episode 3’s premiere can do so on the platform, ensuring full context for the emotional escalation ahead.