# Heo's Diner (허식당)
**Heo's Diner** (허식당; also romanized as *Heoshikdang* and also known as *Heo's Restaurant*) is a 2025 South Korean time-slip fantasy romantic comedy television series in which [Heo Gyun](https://www.edgepedia.org/heo-gyun), a Joseon-era scholar and food writer, is transported 400 years into the future and ends up running a restaurant in modern Seoul.[1](https://www.asiahistoricaldrama.com/index.php/component/content/article/heos-diner?Itemid=101&catid=13%3Adramas) It was written by Sung So-hyun, co-directed by Oh Hwan-min and Kim Kyeong-eun, and stars [Xiumin](https://www.edgepedia.org/xiumin), Chu So-jung, Lee Sae-on, and Lee Soo-min.[1](https://www.asiahistoricaldrama.com/index.php/component/content/article/heos-diner?Itemid=101&catid=13%3Adramas)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | 10 episodes of about 50 minutes, released March 24 to April 22, 2025, Mondays and Tuesdays at 17:00[2](https://asianwiki.com/Heo%27s_Diner) |
| Platforms | Netflix (Korea) and Wavve, with broadcast on MBN Plus[1](https://www.asiahistoricaldrama.com/index.php/component/content/article/heos-diner?Itemid=101&catid=13%3Adramas) • [3](https://v.daum.net/v/PtNsZFBWO3?f=p) |
| Source material | Web novel *Heoshikdang* by Jeon Sun-Young, published via Kakao[2](https://asianwiki.com/Heo%27s_Diner) |
| Main cast | Xiumin as Heo Gyun; Chu So-jung (Exy of WJSN) as Bong Eun-sil; Lee Sae-on and Lee Soo-min each in dual Joseon/modern roles[4](https://www.soompi.com/article/1723818wpp/exos-xiumin-and-wjsns-exys-upcoming-rom-com-heos-diner-announces-premiere-date) |
| Production | Co-planned by Why Not Media, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, and Corpus Japan; produced by The Great Show[5](https://v.daum.net/v/20250218142037226?s=print_news) |
| Audience ratings | IMDb 6.4/10; Rakuten Viki 8.8/10 from about 7,700 user ratings[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36302714) • [7](https://www.viki.com/tv/40899c-heos-diner?locale=en) |
## Spoilers
### Premise and plot
The story begins in the Joseon Dynasty, where Heo Gyun is recognized as a genius with exceptional writing skill and aesthetic sense, and is described as the first food columnist of the era.[2](https://asianwiki.com/Heo%27s_Diner) A progressive thinker who dreamed of a society without the status system, he was a problematic figure in his time, and his ideas led to his exile.[8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-RNvxQfGgU) In the drama's opening, he petitions the king to lift the social stigma against illegitimate sons, which earns the resentment of the nobleman Lee Yi-cheom, who plays a key role in having him exiled.[9](https://www.thereviewgeek.com/heosdiner-s1e1review/)
When assassins come for Heo Gyun, he flees and is transported 400 years through time, arriving in present-day Seoul.[2](https://asianwiki.com/Heo%27s_Diner) Starving, he is found in front of a small restaurant by Bong Eun-sil, the strong-willed daughter of the family that runs it; because of her mother's situation, the two begin running the restaurant together.[2](https://asianwiki.com/Heo%27s_Diner) • [4](https://www.soompi.com/article/1723818wpp/exos-xiumin-and-wjsns-exys-upcoming-rom-com-heos-diner-announces-premiere-date) Believing that 21st-century Seoul, with no class discrimination, is the authentic "Yuldo-guk" of his dreams, Heo Gyun begins his chaotic adaptation to modern life.[10](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/83085/heos-diner/episodeguide) After an accident, he becomes the restaurant's chef and tries to discover his would-be killer.[8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-RNvxQfGgU)
The antagonist thread runs through the modern era as well: Lee Yi-cheom's modern counterpart is Lee Hyuk, a star chef who runs a high-end restaurant across the street from Eun-sil's diner and grows furious when he learns of her partnership with Heo Gyun.[9](https://www.thereviewgeek.com/heosdiner-s1e1review/) • [11](https://www.soompi.com/article/1735537wpp/xiumin-carefully-observes-stand-in-owner-chu-so-jungs-mood-in-heos-diner) In the finale, Heo Gyun reveals all of Lee Hyuk's misdeeds and accepts his fate of returning to Joseon.[10](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/83085/heos-diner/episodeguide)
### Cast and characters
**Xiumin** (Kim Min-seok of EXO) plays Heo Gyun, described in promotional material as a self-proclaimed genius with brilliant writing skill and outstanding aesthetic sense.[5](https://v.daum.net/v/20250218142037226?s=print_news) The role marked his first attempt at a historical (sageuk) drama.[3](https://v.daum.net/v/PtNsZFBWO3?f=p)
**Chu So-jung**, known as Exy of WJSN, plays Bong Eun-sil, who is strong-willed and outspoken and cannot tolerate injustice; she first meets Heo Gyun when he appears at the restaurant dressed like a homeless man.[4](https://www.soompi.com/article/1723818wpp/exos-xiumin-and-wjsns-exys-upcoming-rom-com-heos-diner-announces-premiere-date)
Two supporting actors carry dual roles across the two eras. In a dual role, Lee Sae-on portrays Lee Yi-cheom, an unscrupulous man determined to get whatever he desires, as well as Lee Hyuk, who at a young age became the youngest person to hold the Korean Master Chef title. Taking on the double role of Lee Soo-min is Mae-chang, a strikingly beautiful woman who has the flair of a first-rate entertainer, along with Jung Mi-sol, once a child actor who later rose to fame in Korean commercials.[4](https://www.soompi.com/article/1723818wpp/exos-xiumin-and-wjsns-exys-upcoming-rom-com-heos-diner-announces-premiere-date) The supporting cast includes Kim Hee-jung as Eun-sil's mother, [Oh Ji-ho](https://www.edgepedia.org/oh-ji-ho) as an assassin and Detective Kang, Woo Hyun as No-ong, and Choi Won-myeong as King Gwanghae.[1](https://www.asiahistoricaldrama.com/index.php/component/content/article/heos-diner?Itemid=101&catid=13%3Adramas)
## Production and release
The series is based on the web novel *Heoshikdang* by Jeon Sun-Young, published via Kakao.[2](https://asianwiki.com/Heo%27s_Diner) The novel was also adapted as a webtoon, serialized simultaneously on KakaoPage, Naver Series, Lezhin, and Bomtoon, where it recorded average ratings of 9.7 or higher.[12](https://updohairstyle.tistory.com/entry/%ED%97%88%EC%8B%9D%EB%8B%B9-%EB%93%9C%EB%9D%BC%EB%A7%88-%EC%A0%95%EB%B3%B4-%EB%93%B1%EC%9E%A5%EC%9D%B8%EB%AC%BC-%EC%9B%90%EC%9E%91-%EC%9B%B9%ED%88%B0-ott-%EB%B0%9C%EC%97%B0%EA%B8%B0-%EB%B0%8F-%EC%A4%84%EA%B1%B0%EB%A6%AC)
Why Not Media announced the production with the four leads in January 2024, and the drama was co-planned by Why Not Media, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, and Corpus Japan, with The Great Show producing.[13](https://www.etnews.com/20240129000050) • [5](https://v.daum.net/v/20250218142037226?s=print_news) The premiere date of March 24, 2025 was announced on February 18 of that year, with new episodes released Mondays and Tuesdays at 5 p.m. KST on Netflix, followed later by Wavve.[4](https://www.soompi.com/article/1723818wpp/exos-xiumin-and-wjsns-exys-upcoming-rom-com-heos-diner-announces-premiere-date) • [5](https://v.daum.net/v/20250218142037226?s=print_news) The cable channel MBN Plus also broadcast the series, premiering it on March 24 at 9 p.m.[3](https://v.daum.net/v/PtNsZFBWO3?f=p) The final episode aired on April 22, 2025.[10](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/83085/heos-diner/episodeguide)
## Reception
Audience scores differed by platform. IMDb users gave the series 6.4 out of 10, while Rakuten Viki users rated it 8.8 out of 10 from about 7,700 ratings.[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36302714) • [7](https://www.viki.com/tv/40899c-heos-diner?locale=en) AsianWiki's user rating stood at 87/100 from 116 votes.[2](https://asianwiki.com/Heo%27s_Diner)
Critical responses were mixed. A Review Geek recap of the premiere found the setup for the time travel weak and the antagonist's motivations underdeveloped, while crediting Xiumin and Exy's performances with keeping the leads engaging.[9](https://www.thereviewgeek.com/heosdiner-s1e1review/) A later season review praised the inventive premise and the male lead but criticized the writing of the female lead and a rushed ending, recommending it to fans of time-slip and food-themed stories.[14](https://kdramareviews.net/heos-diner-2025-k-drama-review) After the conclusion, the four lead actors shared closing remarks thanking viewers.[15](https://www.soompi.com/article/1739433wpp/xiumin-chu-so-jung-lee-sae-on-and-lee-soo-min-bid-farewell-to-heos-diner-with-heartfelt-%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0-remarks)
## Namesake restaurant
A separate, unrelated business called 허식당 (Heo Sikdang) operates in Yeouido, Seoul, serving gamja-tang (pork bone and potato soup) and jeongol hot pot, with dinner courses of 40,000 to 60,000 won per person; it has no connection to the drama.[16](https://revitguide.com/stores/3019)
## References
1. [Heo's Diner, Asia Historical Drama](https://www.asiahistoricaldrama.com/index.php/component/content/article/heos-diner?Itemid=101&catid=13%3Adramas)
2. [Heo's Diner, AsianWiki](https://asianwiki.com/Heo%27s_Diner)
3. [엑소 시우민 첫 사극 도전…'허식당' 오늘 첫 방송, Xportsnews via Daum](https://v.daum.net/v/PtNsZFBWO3?f=p)
4. [EXO's Xiumin And WJSN's Chu So Jung's Upcoming Rom-Com "Heo's Diner" Announces Premiere Date, Soompi](https://www.soompi.com/article/1723818wpp/exos-xiumin-and-wjsns-exys-upcoming-rom-com-heos-diner-announces-premiere-date)
5. ["허식당" 시우민·추소정·이세온·이수민 출연…3월 24일 오픈, Xportsnews via Daum](https://v.daum.net/v/20250218142037226?s=print_news)
6. [Heo's Diner (TV Series 2025– ), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36302714)
7. [Heo's Diner, Rakuten Viki](https://www.viki.com/tv/40899c-heos-diner?locale=en)
8. [Heo's Diner (2025) Korean Drama Teaser, YouTube (KDTeaser tv)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-RNvxQfGgU)
9. [Heo's Diner – K-drama Episode 1 Recap & Review, The Review Geek](https://www.thereviewgeek.com/heosdiner-s1e1review/)
10. [Heo's Diner Episode Guide, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/83085/heos-diner/episodeguide)
11. [Xiumin Carefully Observes Stand-In Owner Chu So Jung's Mood In "Heo's Diner", Soompi](https://www.soompi.com/article/1735537wpp/xiumin-carefully-observes-stand-in-owner-chu-so-jungs-mood-in-heos-diner)
12. [허식당 드라마 정보 등장인물 원작 웹툰 ott 발연기 및 줄거리, 똑똑한 정보왕](https://updohairstyle.tistory.com/entry/%ED%97%88%EC%8B%9D%EB%8B%B9-%EB%93%9C%EB%9D%BC%EB%A7%88-%EC%A0%95%EB%B3%B4-%EB%93%B1%EC%9E%A5%EC%9D%B8%EB%AC%BC-%EC%9B%90%EC%9E%91-%EC%9B%B9%ED%88%B0-ott-%EB%B0%9C%EC%97%B0%EA%B8%B0-%EB%B0%8F-%EC%A4%84%EA%B1%B0%EB%A6%AC)
13. [시우민·추소정(엑시), 와이낫 '허식당' 출연확정…이세온·이수민 1인2역 연기, 전자신문](https://www.etnews.com/20240129000050)
14. [Heo's Diner (2025) K-Drama Review, Kdrama Reviews](https://kdramareviews.net/heos-diner-2025-k-drama-review)
15. [Xiumin, Chu So Jung, Lee Sae On, And Lee Soo Min Bid Farewell To "Heo's Diner", Soompi](https://www.soompi.com/article/1739433wpp/xiumin-chu-so-jung-lee-sae-on-and-lee-soo-min-bid-farewell-to-heos-diner-with-heartfelt-%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B0-remarks)
16. [허식당, 레빗가이드 (Revit Guide)](https://revitguide.com/stores/3019)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › International serial drama and telenovelas › East Asian drama series › Korean contemporary drama › Fantasy, supernatural, and science fiction series › Premiered 2023 to 2027*
*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license