▲This photo, provided by Watcha, shows drama, 'Recipe for Farewell'  (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) 

 

▲This photo, provided by Watcha, shows director Lee Ho-jae. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲This photo, provided by Watcha, shows drama, 'Recipe for Farewell'  (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) 

 

▲This photo, provided by Watcha, shows drama, 'Recipe for Farewell'  (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) 

 

 

SEOUL, December 8 (Yonhap) -- #1. No sugar and soy sauce added. That's the only way. I used to wear disposable gloves in the beginning, but now I don't wash my hand and mix the food with my bare hand. Vegetables should taste like its homemade. (Bean spouts and spinach).

#2. A little bit of sesame oil is a must while while cooking glass noodles as it might stick to each other. If it seems like its still sticking, immediately put in the other ingredients and mix it well. Why doesn't it look visually appealing? Oh. I forgot the red chili. Spices are perfect to conclude with. (No salt Japchae with red chilli).

Food made by a beginner with a somewhat special recipe. The food cooked without using salt, soy sauce and is a meal a husband made with so much effort for his wife who has cancer.

Watcha's original drama "Recipe for Farewell" adapted from Kang Chang-rae authors essay based on a true story unfolds stories like unsalted food in a calm way. Two episodes have been being released every week starting from December 1.

It deals with the process of Chang-wook (Han Seok-gyu), a husband, who has prioritized work over his family, step by step learning to cook after being asked to take care of her by her wife, Dajeong (Kim Seo-hyung), who was sentenced to terminal cancer.

Director Lee Ho-jae, who was in charge of screenwriting and directing, introduced the drama in a video interview on December 7, saying, "The food is the main character of the story."

He said, "If you follow the characters of the piece with patients with terminal illness, it will naturally flow in to a new way," "Rather than following the character, we tried to specifically work on it while approaching the mood of each of the foods, and how the characters act following the mood of the food."

"We tried to refrain the concept as a sad sitcom and to show scenes showing the character in pain as much as possible," he said. "It is not a common day for cancer patients to eat." He said, "I put the appearance of pain between the lines, and I focused on the days when the characters were not in pain."

Bean sprouts get scattered on the floor as the bag tears, and the scene where Da-jung acts like her mouth is on fire after eating the japchae with three red chills makes the audience smile and makes a calm atmosphere.

Director Lee said that he worked on the script and directed it, and paid attention not to deviate much from the original. That's why Kang, the original author who he met at this year's Busan International Film Festival, where the drama was invited, seemed satisfied with the final work.

He said, "I tried not to heroize someone by adding condiments to the story, or make someone pitiful," adding, "So I think the original writer didn't feel embarrassed."

The drama has a total of 12 episodes, and each episode lasts 30 minutes. One or two dishes such as vegetables, japchae, omelet, and pork noodles are introduced at each episode.

Director Lee said, "I analyzed that I won't be able to hold the audience for an hour because the drama doesn't contain one large main plot," adding, "The first thing I proposed to the production company was that one episode should be made into a 30-minute one."

"I worked while thinking that I'm working on 12 short films," he said. "There should be connectivity throughout the episodes that makes the audience look forward to the next story, but I produced while considering the completeness of each episode."

The story is simple, but Chang-wook's unpracticed cooking skills in the play, and the sight of Dajeong and the two sons sitting at the table facing each other and eating a bland dish gives a touching feeling.

Director Lee cautiously said, "When writer Kang's wife asked to take care of her, there should have been a feeling underlying, 'Will this person be able to make a proper meal after I die?' and 'How will the two (husband and son) get along without me?'"

He continued, "The food might have symbolized the wife getting taken care of, but in a way, it seemed to also show how she is growing her husband and a son," he said. "In that sense, I think our drama will remind us once again of the concept of 'eating together'."

"The drama does not have much curve and complication but it calmly talks. It might seem boring to some people but sometimes these voices make people more deeply immerse in the drama. The audience will be able to watch this drama in a comfortable state without being anxious what would happen next. It is a sad story, but it is hear warming inside."



(This article is translated from Korean to English by Dowon Kim.)



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