Yoo Su-bin Shines in ‘Your Flavor’ as the Chaotic Yet Lovable Heir of a Gukbap Restaurant

Yoo Su-bin is winning hearts and stealing the spotlight in the Genie TV original drama Your Flavor, airing on ENA. Portraying Shin Choon-seung, the reckless heir of a traditional gukbap (rice soup) restaurant, Yoo captures the essence of a man seemingly immature on the surface, yet filled with emotional depth and a yearning for self-identity.

In the early episodes, Shin Choon-seung is all about childish antics—reporting rival restaurant Jeongje for building violations out of jealousy, blocking their entrance with a sports car, and even sticking his tongue out at his former top employee Jin Myeong-suk (played by Kim Shin-rok) and chef Han Beom-woo (played by Kang Ha-neul). But beneath the pranks and brash behavior lies a character desperate for purpose and acknowledgment.

“I had dreams too. There were so many things I wanted to do,” Choon-seung cries in an emotional breakdown that reveals his pain of being misunderstood and overlooked. “I wasn’t born just to inherit a gukbap shop.” This scene not only touches viewers deeply but also marks a turning point in his journey of personal growth.

Encouraged by those around him—including the disciplined but caring Beom-woo, the warm-hearted waitress Mo Yeon-joo (played by Go Min-si), and the newly amicable Jin Myeong-suk—Choon-seung begins to open up emotionally. His line, “Eating together makes us a family,” and calling Myeong-suk “Seongnim” are proof of his transformation from immature heir to a leader with empathy and depth.

Taking his evolution further, Choon-seung enters a food truck competition with a 10 million won prize, showcasing his self-developed non-alcoholic makgeolli. His pure joy at Jin Myeong-suk’s praise that it’s “worth selling” highlights his desire not just for success, but for validation and connection.

Yoo Su-bin’s nuanced performance makes Shin Choon-seung an unforgettable character. Through subtle shifts and emotional intensity, he illustrates the rising arc of a young man learning what it means to lead, love, and live with purpose. ‘Your Flavor’ continues to enrich its audience every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM on ENA.