A Surprise Exit from the Restaurant Scene
Actor Lee Jangwoo, best known for his roles in numerous K-dramas, has decided to close his Seoul-based curry restaurant less than a year after kicking things off. According to an official notice posted online, the store ceased operations on September 1st, thanking patrons with a short farewell message.
K-Drama Star Turned Culinary Entrepreneur
Back in December, Lee grabbed headlines when he unveiled his first curry eatery in Gildong, Gangdong-gu—a district in eastern Seoul. With previous ventures like udon and walnut pastry shops under his belt, fans were excited to see him stir up the food scene. But the buzz was short-lived.
Customer Criticism Took a Toll
Despite the initial hype, reviews from local foodies were less than savory. Comments poured in online, accusing the restaurant of small portions and inflated prices. Facing the heat, Lee ultimately decided to call it quits after just nine months in business.
Behind the Scenes: Burnout and Honesty
Lee got candid about the experience on the YouTube channel “Jung Joon-ha HaHa”, run by comedian Jung Joon-ha. “I realized I can’t go into the restaurant business thinking about massive profits,” Lee shared. “You have to focus on loyal customers—you can’t treat it like just another business.”
He also spilled the tea on the operational chaos: “We were boiling about 100 pig heads a day for the soup, but the problem was, the process was brutal. The system fell apart, quality dropped, and even I didn’t enjoy eating there anymore.”
Rebound and Resilience
Still, Lee didn’t go down without a fight. He revealed he’d tried rebooting the recipe and improving standards: “After we changed things, the quality started climbing again.” But perhaps the damage was already done.
A New Chapter: Marriage on the Horizon
While it’s the end of one venture, it’s the beginning of another journey for Lee. He’s set to tie the knot with actress Jo Hye-won on November 23rd. With wedding bells in the air, fans are hoping this next chapter will be smoother than his foray into food.
From Curry to Commitment
Lee Jangwoo’s restaurant closure may have disappointed fans, but his honesty and self-awareness show that not every celebrity venture is as easy as it looks. As one netizen joked, “Maybe curry wasn’t spicy enough for K-dramaland.”
Wedding plans, career moves, and life lessons—2024 is proving to be a transformative year for Lee. Will acting stay his true calling? Or will he return to cooking with a new strategy down the road?
