Actor Bae Na-ra showcased a different charm in “Tastefully Yours.”
In the recently concluded Genie TV original “Tastefully Yours” (planned by KT Studio Genie, produced by Shortcake, created by Han Joon-hee, written by Jeong Su-yoon, directed by Park Dan-hee), which ended on the 10th, Bae Na-ra exuded strong charisma. Since his first appearance, he radiated a unique presence, heightening the tension each time he appeared in the drama until the end.
In the drama, Bae Na-ra perfectly transformed into Han Seon-woo, the older brother and rival of Han Bum-woo (played by Kang Ha-neul). When he faced his younger brother Han Bum-woo at a meal, he immediately suppressed him with a gaze and a single word that exuded dignity. After the power struggle began, he showed a calculating side, resorting to any means necessary to claim management rights. When he faced off with Jang Young-hye (played by Hong Hwa-yeon) over the position of the main chef at the restaurant, he initially displayed a nonchalant attitude but soon transformed coldly, showcasing the charm of a corporate executive by not being overwhelmed by his rival.
In the latter half of the drama, he displayed unexpected kindness, highlighting a contrasting charm. After exposing the real reason behind Han Bum-woo’s visit to Jeong-jae, he was visibly shaken upon seeing his wounded younger brother, and when told to organize the restaurant LaRochelle he operates, he showed concern for his employees. Moreover, he found Mo Yeon-joo (played by Go Minsi) to apologize for previous actions and held an open-hearted conversation with Han Bum-woo, showcasing his humanity and moving the audience’s hearts.
The drama “Tastefully Yours,” in which Bae Na-ra participated, gained recognition for both artistic quality and popularity, achieving a spot in the Netflix non-English TV series section’s TOP 10 for four consecutive weeks. Particularly in the first week of its release, it ranked second among global non-English series and fifth overall, rapidly capturing the attention of viewers worldwide. It topped the charts in 17 countries, including Korea, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, and ranked in the Netflix TOP 10 in 44 countries, including major Asian nations.
The accumulated viewing time reached about 28.2 million hours with approximately 18.7 million views, surpassing figures for popular works such as “Delivery Man,” “Mom’s Friend’s Son,” and “Mask Girl.” This remarkable global success achieved by “Tastefully Yours,” produced by ENA, has been credited to the strong presence demonstrated by Bae Na-ra, which played a decisive role in elevating the narrative and immersion of the work.
Bae Na-ra expressed his feelings through his agency YY Entertainment, saying, “I am already saddened that the drama has ended. Through this project, I was able to work with wonderful fellow actors and staff, and I have learned a lot in various ways. I thank everyone who created meaningful moments, and I will strive to be an actor who puts forth my best in every moment while creating works. I ask for your continued interest.”
With the conclusion of “Tastefully Yours,” Bae Na-ra has announced plans to appear successively in SBS’s “Would You Merry Me” and Netflix’s “The Wonderfulls,” continuing his active career. Attention is drawn to Bae Na-ra’s path as he leaves a deep impression with his uniquely crafted characters in each of his projects.
Meanwhile, since debuting in the 2013 musical “Promise,” Bae Na-ra has gradually built his filmography through various works, including the Netflix original series “D.P. Season 2” and “Weak Hero Class 2.”
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