BLISS RATING: ★★★★+
“When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.” – William Shakespeare
I must confess that I thought this series was going to be another one of the run-of-the-mill cooking BL series. But I was very wrong. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised as to how much they were able to accomplish in so short a time that so many other standard BLs take six or seven episodes to agonizingly develop which is a sense of a relationship. Oops, they did that here as well, BUT we knew already from the beginning what the outcome would be. We discerned that the ‘shipping’ was destined from their first eye contact. While we sensed its inevitability, the journey is what made it feel so right. I merely came along for the ride!
It is a story about a Korean restaurant called the Tasty Florida. The origin of its name is so heartwarming and endearing, although it has a sad genesis. Yet, its concept represents an incredible journey of hope for four young men not only for success, and happiness, but for the fruition of what they truly love to do. This series is way more meaningful than it is given credit for. While it appears to be a superficial story of a love connection, underlying the story, there is a metaphor for living.
It is a story of Sao Hae Won (Cha Woo Min). He is leaving home for the first time and his residency is a in a boarding house room located on a steep hill. As he is admiring the view, his suitcase rolls down hill and is caught by Baek Eun Gyu (Kim Yoo Hwan). Hae Won literally bumps into Eun Gyu and there is an instant connection. While all of this is predictable, there is something about these two that made it way more magical and it becomes so evident that no matter what happens, they will be together. Additionally, there was never a sense that drama would occur to get there; only a set of speed bumps that hinders them from both realizing their connection at the same synchronized time.
Eun Gyu is a complex individual whose priority is not his own happiness. He is a bit distant, reserved, and withdrawn. He is a troubled individual especially after his mother died. He feels alone because his father left the family to move to Florida and disappeared from the family. Eun Gyu likes to drown his depression and feelings of inadequacies in a bottle.
One day, he stumbles back to his old room which happens to now be occupied by Hae Won. There is an instant connection between the two and a natural chemistry. This is the opening salvo which allowed the gates around their barrier walls from feelings to open and allow the other one in. Sometimes it is fully opened while at other times it closes again. Many times, it might be opened but there are guards around to deny entry.
Hae Won manages to get a job at the Tasty Florida because the other co-owner has an interest in him as well. His name is Cha Ji Soo (Moon Kang Hyuk). He and Eun Gyu have been friends for a long time and in essence they are like brothers as Eun Gyu lives with his family. Ji Soo is more outgoing and as he says, ‘goes after what he wants’. He is obviously attracted to Hae Won.
At first, I thought it was an attraction simply based on a physical level but as the story progresses, I believe he had stronger feelings for Hae Won than perhaps he even realized. He becomes jealous and possessive when he realizes that Eun Gyu likes Hae Won as well. Deep down, however, Ji Soo senses that Hae Won loves Eun Gyu as well. In a particularly poignant moment after a physical altercation between Eun Gyu and Ji Soo over Hae Won, Ji Soo astutely tells Eun Gyu, “You always let me have my way and could never say when you wanted something.” He yet again reminds him that he always goes after what he wants.
At that point, Eun Gyu realizes what he must do, and he runs to Hae Won. So does Ji Soo but suddenly stops. He knows that is not right. That is a selfish act, and he realizes that to maintain their ongoing friendship/brotherhood they have had for over 15 years, then he must do what is right. He does not say this; we just feel it. He lets Eun Gyu advance, knowing also that Hae Won would never choose him anyway.
At the Tasty Florida, there are two other integral employees that have made this place their home. They are Han Jin (Zeze Choi) and Joo Seo Hyeok (Yoo Seung Jun). They provide a complimentary balance to this ensemble of characters, and you get a sense that this is what it is supposed to be. These four are Tasty Florida and Tasty Florida is these four. Without this certain set of combinations, it would not work. This restaurant is sheer perfection. On top of a rooftop, with four (now five) of the most stunningly handsome men that God could have possibly created. Plus, good food. Perfection! Everything seemed to have worked in this series.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. the series? Cha Woo Min as Sao Hae Won did. Not just because of his good looks of which he has an abundance of, but because of his ability to play this character as shy but self-assured and wanting and willing to take risks with a sense of ease. He knew almost from the beginning that Eun Gyu would be his. His steady handedness helps Eun Gyu to realize that. Sure, his characterization is underplayed but to have done otherwise would have spoiled the story. None of these individuals have particularly powerful personalities and so the story is about four (really five) incredibly handsome young men with a dream, and an innocence about them, but a commitment and willingness to work hard at achieving what they want. None of them wanting to upstage the others and Hae Won is cognizant of that. This whole series has a soft undertone to its character developments and Cha Woo Min brings his character along for the ride. When he tells Eun Gyu to take the time to go find his father in Florida, it is such a wonderful example of trust, security, and a complete commitment to their relationship. Hae Won also realizes that without knowing about his father, Eun Gyu will never be whole. He portrayed that with such a sense of assuredness and command, that he made this character so believable and in a very real sense incredibly desirable.
For sure, this series is not perfect. It has some editing issues. While this same story has been done in different versions, this feels different. Maybe because of its lightness. While there is only one ‘ship’ here, it is also a story about the restaurant as well, which happens to be inhabited by five individuals who want to make it work and succeed. Not based only on good looks (which they know they have) but on its own reputation and good food. For me, this series made me feel good. It is entertaining and fun. I would like to see all of the rest of these breath-takingly beautiful young men find their own soulmates in future episodes, gay or straight. All of it is just so cute to watch! It just made me smile!
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