King of Baking, Kim Takgu

King of Baking, Kim Takgu
Promotional poster for King of Baking, Kim Takgu
Also known as	Bread, Love and Dreams The Baker King
Genre	Romance Slice of life story Melodrama
Written by	Kang Eun-kyung
Directed by	Lee Jung-sub
Starring	Yoon Shi-yoon Eugene Joo Won Lee Young-ah
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language(s)	Korean
No. of episodes	30
Production
Location(s)	South Korea
Running time	60 minutes Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:00 (KST)
Production company(s)	Samhwa Networks
Release
Original network	Korean Broadcasting System
Original release	9 June (2010-06-09) – 16 September 2010 (2010-09-16)
Chronology
Preceded by	Cinderella's Sister
Followed by	The Fugitive: Plan B
Related shows	Baker King
External links
Website

King of Baking, Kim Takgu (Hangul: 제빵왕 김탁구; Hanja: 製빵王 金卓求; RR: Jeppangwang Gim Takgu, also known as Bread, Love and Dreams), is a 2010 South Korean television drama starring Yoon Shi-yoon, Eugene, Joo Won and Lee Young-ah. It tells the story of how a determined young baker overcomes many trials towards his goal of becoming the best baker in Korea. This story takes place in the 1970s to 1990s, starting after his conception and finishing when he reaches his mid-20s. It aired on KBS2 from June 9 to September 16, 2010 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:00 for 30 episodes. The series is considered the breakout role of lead actor Yoon Shi-yoon catapulting him to immense popularity as well as receiving much praise for his sincere acting.

The series was one of the most watched shows in South Korea in 2010, with a final episode viewership rating of 50.9% becoming the 25th highest rated drama of all time.

Kim Takgu is the eldest son of Gu Il Jong, the chairman of Geosung Foods Enterprise, and Kim Misun, his mistress. The Chairman’s wife, Insok, is furious with her husband and shuns Takgu. When his mother is kidnapped, Takgu runs away from home and spends the next 12 years looking for her. In his journey, he enters a baking school owned by Pal Bong who is a legend in the baking industry. Coincidentally, he was also Takgu's father's teacher. In said school, Takgu also finds Jo Jingu, the man who kidnapped his mother. Jo Jingu tells Takgu that she accidentally fell off a cliff. Takgu decides to stay at the bakery and learn the art of making bread, like his father did before him. Majun, Takgu’s half-brother, is also at the school, hoping to learn about baking to win his father’s approval and take over the family business. He lives under an assumed name and never reveals his true identity. Majun still nurses a hatred for Takgu from their childhood. It is later revealed that Takgu’s mom is not dead and that she is looking for him. The Chairman, who also spent the past 14 years looking for Takgu, eventually finds out that he is at the bakery and is furious at Majun for not telling him. The Chairman wants Takgu, his eldest son, to take over the family business instead of Majun. Rejected, Majun plots to steal Takgu’s childhood friend, Shin Yukyeong, and embarrass his family in the process. Takgu eventually finds his mother, but Insok and her lover( the Chairman’s assistant), Han, plot to rob Takgu of his inheritance to let Majun take the Chairman’s position. When the Chairman finds out, Han attempts to murder Takgu, but Takgu is saved by Jo Jingu. Meanwhile, Majun’s plan to embarrass his family works, but it doesn’t give him the satisfaction he expects. He reaches a truce with Takgu and the two agree to let their older sister, Gu Jakyung, run the company. The show ends with Takgu continuing to work at the bakery with his girlfriend, Yang Misun, while Majun decides to travel around the world with his new bride, Shin Yukyeong. Manager Han is imprisoned and the Chairman is happy that at last, his loved ones found happiness.