Rekindled Sparks and Broken Tables: Why 'Love on the Menu' is 2026’s Most Anticipated Family Romance

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KBS2’s upcoming weekend drama, Love on the Menu, is set to deliver an emotionally charged romance centered on regret, family sacrifices, and second chances. Scheduled to premiere on July 25, 2026, this slice-of-life romantic comedy features the highly anticipated pairing of veteran actor Ha Seok-jin and Ahn Hee-yeon (Hani of EXID). Blending the warmth of a neighborhood culinary setting with deeply rooted family burdens, the show explores how two former lovers try to heal old scars eight years after a devastating breakup.

Drama Background

Love on the Menu steps into a popular Korean drama tradition: combining food, family dynamics, and romantic angst. Produced by KBS2, a network celebrated for its engaging weekend family series, this production aims to balance a mature, realistic romance with a comforting, lighthearted tone.

The narrative utilizes the contrast of the food industry to highlight class divisions. It moves between a high-end Italian restaurant and a local, traditional side-dish (banchan) shop. This backdrop acts as a metaphorical "dinner table" where fractured families slowly gather to piece their lives back together.

Synopsis of Love On The Menu

The story follows Kim Mu-jin, a wealthy man from a flawless chaebol background who once threw everything away for his first love, Han Kyu-rim. Kyu-rim returned his affection but was weighed down by severe financial hardships and family duties. Unwilling to pull him down into her chaotic reality, she pushed him away.

Devastated and heartbroken, Mu-jin suddenly disappeared to Italy without a trace to rebuild his life and train as a professional chef.

Eight years later, Mu-jin returns to South Korea to open a premier Italian restaurant. By a twist of fate, his new venue sits in the exact same neighborhood where Kyu-rim operates a modest side-dish shop. Forced to face each other daily, the former couple must confront years of built-up longing, misunderstandings, and hidden guilt.

Cast and Characters

The series boasts a talented ensemble cast that brings depth to both the romantic and familial elements of the storyline:

• Kim Mu-jin (played by Ha Seok-jin): A passionate chef with a wealthy background. He hides his privileged identity while running his restaurant. He moves between a prickly, defensive exterior and a tender, deeply wounded heart.
• Han Kyu-rim (played by Ahn Hee-yeon / Hani): A pragmatic and fiercely protective woman. She manages a local side-dish shop to provide for her family, frequently entangling herself in the neighborhood's daily dramas.
• Han Gyu-young (played by Park You-na): Kyu-rim's younger sister. She is a sharp, ambitious realist who works tirelessly to graduate from a top-tier medical school and secure a lucrative career as a dermatologist.
• Bae Jung-nam: Portrays a dedicated son and Kyu-rim’s reliable neighborhood confidant. He adds a signature comic relief and emotional grounding to the side-dish shop circle.

Release Schedule and Rating

• Premiere Date : July 25, 2026
• Broadcast Network : KBS2
• Airtime : Saturdays and Sundays at 8:00 PM KST
• Genre : Family, Romance, Comedy, Slice-of-Life
• Age Rating : 15+ (Anticipated, due to mature romantic themes and family conflicts)

Pre-Broadcast Review & Expectations

Early glimpses from the script reading and official teaser posters indicate that Love on the Menu is steering away from over-the-top melodrama. Instead, it leans toward a comforting, character-driven journey.

The Verdict: What to Look Forward To

• Tangible On-Screen Chemistry: Early promotional cuts feature clever visual framing, using blurred backdrops to underscore the couple's emotional isolation. This design creates immediate anticipation for Ha Seok-jin and Hani's collaborative performance.
• Socioeconomic Role Reversal: Seeing Ha Seok-jin play an elite chef pretending to be an everyday merchant—contrasted against Hani’s gritty, street-smart survivalist—adds an entertaining dynamic to their interactions.
• A Solid Supporting Ensemble: Characters like Park You-na's pragmatic medical student guarantee that subplots involving sibling rivalries and career anxieties will feel genuinely relatable.

Teaser Trailer Overview

KBS has officially rolled out the first teaser trailer for Love on the Menu. The short video highlights the sharp contrast between the past and present.

The clip opens with a tense interaction between the leads, where Kyu-rim tells Mu-jin to "consider this a blessing from God and run away quickly." Mu-jin stands his ground firmly, looking straight at her to deliver the trailer's standout line: "No. I won't run away." This brief exchange sets up a narrative centered on accountability and a determination to make things right.

For continuous production updates, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes clips, keep an eye on official entertainment platforms like Soompi.