Romance with thriller is a commonly attempted combination in the K-drama world. And when it is successful, makes for a delightful watch (who can ever forget Strong Woman Do Bong-soon?). Link: Eat, Love, Kill attempts something almost similar — a combination of romance, murders and, as a unique sprinkling, food! Starring Yeo Jin-goo and Moon Ga-young, this 16-episode drama can be a curious watch.
Plot Pot
Eun Gye-hoon (Yeo Jin-goo) is a talented sous chef whose downfall comes when he is suddenly subjected to unprecedented bursts of emotions that seem to be out of his control. While people around him think he is finally lost his mind, Gye-hoon is aware that this runs much deeper. A younger Gye-hoon had had a similar connection with his twin sister, who had gone missing almost two decades earlier. However, for all that was concerned, she had been considered dead ever since.
He soon moves back to his hometown and realises the ‘link’ he had felt was actually with Noh Da-hyun (Moon Ka-young) who too has recently moved back. Gye-hoon opens his restaurant opposite the family one run by Da-hyun, her mom and her grandma. Unfortunately, a third and rather unpleasant visitor also moves back, Lee Jin-geun (Shin Jae-hwi), who is determined to ‘win’ back Da-hyun who has thoroughly rejected his advances otherwise. And things start to go south soon after when Da-hyun commits murder, in self-defence, and the dead body ends up in a fridge initially thrown out but later retrieved by Gye-hoon’s restaurant.
Link has the makings of a thrilling but comedic plot, a dark comedy if you may. But it tries too hard and incorporates too many things at once in an effort to become unique but which ultimately leads to confused, if not tired, viewers. At the same time, however, it can be a mindless watch to relax when you are not up for something that is too hard on the mind.
Yeo Jin-goo who has long been praised for his impressive range of acting does not particularly shine in the role of the one-dimensional Gye-hoon but he is nevertheless quite a delight to watch owing much to the compassion he puts into his characters. Moon Ka-young plays the role of the wide-eyed darling Da-hyun perfectly and her ability to get into unprecedented crises evokes as much sympathy from the audience as much as it does from the more stoic Gye-hoon. The times when Da-hyun has a nightmare and Gye-hoon is ready to whip up delicious dishes for her also makes for precious moments.
Genre: Romance, thriller
Where to watch: Viki, Disney+ Hotstar
You Will Love it if You Love:
- Small-town settings
- Past meets present plotlines
- Romance but with thriller subplot
- Slow progress
The Telegraph rating: 3/5
OSTs we love
Your River In Me by O3ohn: The mellow tune of this song is the perfect fit to the slow but steadily blooming romance between Da-hyun and Gye-hoon.
Pit a Pat by Seungkwan: SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan presents his gorgeous vocals for this cute song that traces the emotions of the protagonists as they realise their feelings for each other even when they are literally tuned to each other.
Saying Hello by MINNIE: Joining the lineup of amazing OSTs from the drama is G-IDLE’s Minnie with this melodious song. Slow and tinkering, it is the perfectly soothing listen and compliments the small town-focused cinematography of the drama.
Characters We Treasure
Yeo Jin-goo as Eun Gye-hoon: Gye-hoon might come off as stoic (if not in his sudden bouts of felt emotions), but he has his own ways to express his love and care — food. We love how he is always ready to go all-out for things he believes in.
We also loved him in: Hotel Del Luna, Beyond Evil
Moon Ka-young as Noh Da-hyun: Da-hyun might seem clumsy but she is all adorable even while she makes mistakes. We would have, however, loved seeing her be more confident and assured in her actions although it is understandably difficult and traumatising to have people like Jin-geun in your life.
We also loved her in: Tempted, True Beauty
If You Love This Also Watch
Strong Woman Do Bong-soon
Big Mouth
Find Me In Your Memory
