7 K-Drama Kitchens That Look As Hot As The Oppas That Cook In Them

And may we add… they embody the perfect combination of looks and function

Daniela Astolfi

November 18, 2021, 05:10 PM

The kitchen is where some of the most delicious action takes place in K-Dramas. In some, food definitely takes a central role. Not to be delegated to second lead is its preparation and the space where it all happens. As characters in dramas prepare breakfast, lunch or dinner and the occasional post hang-over lunch for their partner, we get to see facets of their personalities revealed, and pieces of the plot unfolding. The backdrop to all these, the kitchen, is informed by these characters’ aesthetic: traditional or modern, reflective of the protagonist's social class and status. With our oppas busy in this space, the kitchen sizzles even more. In case you need some convincing:

Take inspiration from some of our favorite scenes that take place in K-Drama kitchen sets:

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By Metro.StyleSeptember 24 2023, 7:25 AM

Captain Ri’s Rustic Kitchen And Se-ri’s Postmodern Kitchen, Crash Landing On You

In the famous drama Crash Landing On You (Netflix, 2020), Captain Ri's (Hyun Bin) kitchen in North Korea is a very simple and traditional setting with cups, ceramics and 1960s-inspired chandeliers. It is, however, a basic kitchen with a counter, but the it benefits from a lot of natural light. It is also kitted out with the just the right gadgets and appliances to aid the Captain in his cooking.

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Captain Ri’s Rustic Kitchen And Se-ri’s Postmodern Kitchen, Crash Landing On You

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Captain Ri’s Rustic Kitchen And Se-ri’s Postmodern Kitchen, Crash Landing On You

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Se-ri's Kitchen, Crash Landing On You

Captain Ri also felt at home in Seri's kitchen in South Korea, in spite that is a modern kitchen with a beautiful dark blue color combined with a white worktop. The large masonry and steel counter is dedicated to breakfast with cups and a coffee machine. Completing this immaculate kitchen is the shelf next to the fridge with cups, crystal glasses and designer objects.

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Captain Ri’s Rustic Kitchen And Se-ri’s Postmodern Kitchen, Crash Landing On You

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Captain Ri’s Rustic Kitchen And Se-ri’s Postmodern Kitchen, Crash Landing On You

Photo Credit: Netflix

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A Kitchen For A Pro, The King Eternal Monarch

In the drama The King Eternal Monarch (Netflix 2020), which tells the love story between two parallel worlds, King Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) prepares rice for Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun) in the royal kitchen. This kitchen is very spacious and professional in style, with wood and steel as the predominant textures, matched by the concrete effect of some of the doors. The oven is very large and positioned high up (a solution which makes it easier to put food into the oven), the pans are hung on the wall near the hob and there is also a wine fridge. The kitchen has several counters for food preparation with all the necessary knives, ladles, salt and pepper mills and much more. Another special feature of this kitchen is the large black marble table with white veins that adds a touch of elegance to a kitchen that would otherwise look too industrial.

Photo Credit: Netflix

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A Kitchen For A Pro, The King Eternal Monarch

Photo Credit: Netflix

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A Kitchen For A Pro, The King Eternal Monarch

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Modern Vintage, Goblin

In the famous drama Goblin (tvN, 2016), the kitchen in Kim Shin's (Gong Yoo) vintage-style house has no cabinets and is all laid out on one level. The kitchen is modern in style with groove handles, steel countertops and white glazed tiles, fitting well with the home’s vintage decor. Above the top there are various appliances (toaster, coffee machine, kettle) in vintage style. The counters sport a stainless steel finish. Another very useful element in the kitchen is the small black grid shelf used to place recipe books, pens and notes, lit by a vintage lamp. A decorative touch is given by the presence of a lantern with candles which could be used to absorb and cover up kitchen odors.

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Modern Vintage, Goblin

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Modern Vintage, Goblin

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Modern Vintage, Goblin

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Modern Vintage, Goblin

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Modern Vintage, Goblin

Photo Credit: Netflix

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The Asian Modern Kitchen, Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Hometown cha cha cha (Netflix, 2021) tells the story of dentist Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), who decides to move from Seoul to the fictional village of Gongjin and open her own clinic together with her childhood friend Pyo Mi-seon (Gong Min-jeung). In the change between the habits of the big city and those of the village, she is helped by Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho), a handyman known in the village as Chief Hong and a friend to all the local tradesmen. Chief Hong's kitchen is basic with all the spaces well used. The long counter under the small window is made of wood, with no handles and a white top, hob and sink in an industrial design style. The extendable table, similar to the one in the drama, is made of untreated wood and can be found at Ikea, such as the Norden model, or can be made from an old work table purchased at a flea market. The chairs are inspired by model number 18 by the designer Michael Thonet (famous Austro-Hungarian cabinetmaker) in wood, and fit well into a predominantly wooden interior and a beach house. Between the kitchen and the living room there is a dividing shelf with the protagonist's collection of liqueurs, and on the opposite wall there is a wooden bookcase which gives a modern touch to the living room, with its horizontal arrangement of books.

Photo Credit: Netflix

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The Asian Modern Kitchen, Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Photo Credit: Netflix

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The Asian Modern Kitchen, Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Photo Credit: Netflix

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The Asian Modern Kitchen, Hometown Cha Cha Cha

Photo Credit: Netflix

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Basic Retro Kitchen, Suspicious Partner

In the drama Suspicious Partner (SBS, 2017), which tells the story of two lawyers, Noh Ji-wook (Ji Chang-wook) and Eun Bong-hee (Nam Ji-hyun), who try to unmask a serial killer, the kitchen of the home-office where the two lawyers live and work is modern and linear. The niches at the side of the window for placing small objects and cups are a unique, functional touch. The metal wine rack on the side of the kitchen is useful, an excellent solution for wine lovers who want to dedicate a piece of furniture just for them. The kitchen is dark blue with an oak top and very basic. Light is provided by the window and modern metal chandeliers.

Photo Credit: SBS

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The Fully Stocked Kitchen, Dali and Cocky Prince

The drama Dali and Cocky Prince (KBS, 2021) tells the turbulent story of an art- and philosophy-loving Kim Dali (Park Gyu-young) and the rich and ignorant Jin Moo-hak (Kim Min-jae) as they meet and fulfill their responsibility for their choices and find happiness. The kitchen that appears in the first episode is equipped with all the built-in appliances that occupy a wall dedicated to them with an oven, microwave, coffee machine, wine fridge and refrigerator. The counter in the centre of the room and the one on the wall are dedicated to food preparation, with everything you need with containers and dispensers organized and within easy reach. The kitchen cabinetry is modern white with groove handles and a steel top, the sink is located in the central counter, for easy cleaning and food preparation. The stove has a large white hood that blends completely into the decor (a great solution for those who love minimalist style). The folding door is useful for dividing the living room from the kitchen. The color palette is predominantly in shades of beige, a neutral color that is well suited to an environment such as the kitchen and living room.

Photo Credit: KBS

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