Pasta

Finishing ‘Pasta’ I realized it has a lot common with ‘Coffee Prince’. More than the actor Lee Sun kyun.

‘Pasta’ is a 2010 South Korean drama. It centers around an Italian restaurant,the La Sfera. The Chef Totti leaves for Italy & a new chef is recruited. Choi Hyun wook. He has studied in Italy & has a good name.

He fires all the women chefs from the kitchen. Seo Yoo kyung is also fired several times but she keeps on getting re-hired by the Chef. She wins a blind taste contest & gets a permanent place in the kitchen.

The owner Kim San has been watching Seo & admiring her for last three years. But he conceals his identity. He is the mysterious Mr Cactus, leaving cactus photographs on her locker door.

Being rich & reasonable doesn’t help. She is smitten by the Chef. ‘Yes, Chef’ is her automatic response. She is able to convince her father, a noodle restaurant owner. Finally, she stays on. Gives up her dream to go to Italy.

‘Coffee Prince’ is a 2007 South Korean drama. Based on a novel of the same name by Lee Sun-mi, it aired 17 episodes as against 20 for ‘Pasta’. It is also known as ‘The first shop of Coffee Prince’.

Choi Han gyeol is the grandson of chairwoman Bang, who has a thriving coffee business. He takes over a rundown coffee shop, later named ‘Coffee Prince’ to show his capability. To attract female customers he hires only good looking male employees. Eun chan, desperate for money hides her gender to get a job at ‘Coffee Prince’.

Han gyeol falls for her & not knowing she is a girl, undergoes a huge emotional turmoil. His cousin, Han sung is there to help her. She is carrying trash & he lends a patient ear. He knows Han gyeol has not gotten over his first love, Han Yoo joo. But her talent compliments him. He tolerates all her tantrums.

Discovering Eun chan’s real identity, Han gyeol is esthetic. He sends her to learn & become a Barista. The end has her coming back successfully.

No wonder then ‘Coffee Prince’ was way ahead of it’s times. Iconic. It gives the same pleasure after watching it again. Magic of Gong Yoo. Maybe. Part of it!