On Oct 7th, at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo-dong, Seoul, the top 8 chefs from Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars” met with the press at a special event. The show has ranked in the top 10 in 28 countries, including Korea, and has been in Netflix’s Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) category for two consecutive weeks. With the final episode set to be released on Oct 8th, participants shared their honest reflections. Present were top contenders like Napoli Matfia, Cooking Maniac, Edward Lee, Auntie Omakase #1, Jang Ho-joon, Jung Ji-sun, Choi Hyun-seok, Triple Star and directors Kim Hak-min and Kim Eun-ji.
“’Culinary Class Wars’ is More Popular Than We Ever Imagined”
“Culinary Class Wars” has sparked various parodies due to its rising popularity. From scenes like judges Baek Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae conducting blind taste tests while wearing blindfolds, to Choi Hyun-seok borrowing green onions, many catchphrases and memes have emerged. The production team credited the show’s success to the chemistry between the cast and the judges. Director Kim Hak-min expressed “We didn’t expect this level of love” and noted that the feedback of people being unable to stop watching was particularly gratifying.
“The Black-and-White Balance Wasn’t Intentional…”
The production team clarified that the focus of the competition was always on taste, with themes like bringing out key ingredients, preparing large portions and creating food that’s worth the price. However, some viewers speculated that the number of “black spoon” and “white spoon” chefs was deliberately matched. Director Kim Hak-min admitted that this wasn’t intentional, as the team had hoped for varied outcomes.
“Glad to Have Participated… The Finale is the Most Fun”
The chefs present expressed gratitude for their involvement in the show. Veteran chefs like Jung Ji-sun and Choi Hyun-seok saw it as an opportunity to set an example and further their learning. Meanwhile, underdog chefs have gained newfound popularity, with increased reservations and photo requests. The cast unanimously agreed that appearing on “Culinary Class Wars” was a rewarding experience, with several participants expressing interest in returning for a potential second season.
Source: Daum
