Eccentric! Chef Moon, is an Unexpected Gem

#ERIC #MOONSEUNGMO #GOWONHEE #CHEFMOON #YOOYOOJIN #YOOBYEOLNACHEFMOON #Shinhwa

(CURRENTLY AIRING)

I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much, nor had I paid much attention to this one. The title picture doesn't do this drama justice. (And yes, I totally judge a book by it's cover.)

Looking for a show to fill time as I physically distance along with the rest of the world, I thought I would give it a chance. From the title picture and synopsis, I expected a bland, overly sappy romance.

Within minutes of starting the first episode, I was delighted to find that the scope of the story was grander than I'd anticipated. The acting and directing much better and the storyline more intriguing than I'd even hoped.

The first episode brings our male and female leads to Australia where they have their 'meet-cute.' It gives them a bit of history for their second meeting back in Korea, where both have suffered some very large blows since leaving Australia. Read the full synopsis below.

SYNOPSIS (WARNING: SPOILERS!!)

Moon Seung-Mo (Eric) is a chef who has spent much of his career in the spotlight. Traveling the globe, introducing Hansik (traditional Korean cuisine) to foodies of all nationalities. He makes a quick stop to visit his parents at their own Hansik restaurant before leaving for Australia. They are taking care of a young girl, who they were told is Chef Moon's daughter, although he strongly denies it.

We meet Yoo Yoo-Jin (Go Won-Hee) when she arrives on Australia's Gold Coast for a fashion show. An eccentric designer, Yoo Jin, has kept her identity secret, hiding behind the name Yoo Bella and literally appearing only in shadows.

Yoo-Jin and Seung-Mo meet on the street just before Yoo-Jin passes out (She at that point suffers from anorexia) and is taken to hospital. Having no idea of her identity, Seung-Mo's friend searches her bag and determines, based on its contents and her lack of phone or ID, that she must be homeless.

In the middle of a dinner service at his friend's restaurant, Seung-Mo receives a call about the sudden deaths of his parents by fire. Not knowing what else to do, he moves to Seoha Village with his alleged daughter and friend. His peaceful daily life suddenly changes there with the sudden appearance of none other than Yoo-Jin

The world-renowned fashion designer ends up in a car accident shortly after her return to Korea and ends up losing her memory completely. Her amnesia does not do away with her eccentricities and the "homeless woman from Australia," picks up the nickname “Yoobyeolna” -"What an eccentric".