Lee Kwang-soo and D.O. achieved 100% satisfaction from the first day of opening their in-house restaurant.

In the first episode of tvN‘s ‘Beanies Grow, Rice Grows’ (abbreviated as ‘KongkongBapBap’) that aired on the 9th, Lee Kwang-soo and D.O. challenged themselves running an in-house restaurant for the first time, showing off their delightful chemistry and delicious dishes.

The viewership ratings for the first episode were an average of 4.6% in the metropolitan area and a peak of 5.7%, and an average of 4.1% and a peak of 4.8% nationwide. The viewership ratings for tvN’s target demographic of men and women in their 20s and 40s were an average of 2.6% and a peak of 3.5% in the metropolitan area and an average of 2.6% and a peak of 3.2% nationwide. (Nielsen Korea, based on paid platform)

Lee Kwang-soo and Do Kyung-soo, who were writing a contract ahead of the opening of their first in-house restaurant that day, were flustered when they saw an unexpected condition in the contract. In addition to being an actual contract with legal effect, it had a special clause stating, ‘While operating the in-house restaurant for 3 days, 200 people must eat and all 140 kg of potatoes must be consumed.’.

The two people, who suddenly felt the responsibility of having to feed around 70 people, started selecting a menu using potatoes. Especially in the process of naming the dishes, Lee Kwang Soo and Do Kyung Soo‘s humor exploded, making everyone burst into laughter with witty names like ‘Tenderloin Truffle Curry Filling Your Mouth with Potatoes’, ‘Do Kyung Soo’s Mother‘s Special Secret Spinach Stir-Fry’.

Lee Kwang Soo and Do Kyung Soo then headed to the mart, and while buying tenderloin to go with the curry, they had a heated debate over how much meat they thought should fill one’s mouth, making everyone laugh. Their shaky starts made us anticipate that running the cafeteria wouldn‘t be smooth. Among them, Lee Kwang Soo, who is known as a “cook idiot,” made Do Kyung Soo burst into laughter by buying sirloin to use in his curry.


All-rounder Chief Do Kyung Soo, who immediately got down to preparing the meal, quickly used up the ingredients and easily cooked large portions, drawing admiration. However, as this was his first time running a restaurant, mistakes were made, and an unexpected situation occurred where even the ultra-luxurious curry, which was the main menu, was burned, making the viewers tense.

Even CEO Lee Kwang Soo was in hell preparing the ingredients under Chief Do Kyung Soo’s instructions. When the production crew asked him questions about Do Kyung Soo’s dazzling cooking skills, Lee Kwang Soo playfully challenged him, saying, “Don’t you have any questions for me?” Lee Kwang Soo’s appearance, emphasizing that he was also diligently preparing the ingredients as if he were standing up to Do Kyung Soo, caused an outburst of laughter.

After many twists and turns, the two finished preparing lunch and began opening the restaurant after displaying example plates in the showcase. Do Kyung Soo served the curry, and Lee Kwang Soo took suggestions from the employees who visited the cafeteria and observed their reactions, successfully completing their first lunch business.

The employees who used the cafeteria left positive comments such as, “I always wish there was an in-house cafeteria,” and “This is in the top 3 curry I‘ve ever had.” Lee Kwang Soo and Do Kyung Soo also expressed their delight at the reviews from employees that exceeded their expectations, such as, “It’s delicious,” and “I‘ll go eat it again tomorrow.” Accordingly, the two are looking forward to the next story of operating a restaurant in the company, to see what creative recipes and unique names of dishes they will present.

Reporter Hong Se-young, Donga.com, projecthong@donga.com