“Culinary Class Wars” ranked in the top 10 in 28 countries, including Korea, and held the #1 spot in Netflix’s Global TOP 10 TV (Non-English) category for two consecutive weeks after its release on Sep 17th.
However, in China, where Netflix is not available, there have been absurd claims spreading on various social media platforms, such as “Korea is stealing Chinese food” and “We must stop Korea from stealing our food”.
One specific point of contention is a dish called “Basi” made by a Korean chef in the show. Some Chinese social media users are sharing posts and videos claiming that “Koreans will soon say this is a Korean dish“.
There has even been criticism aimed at judge Baek Jong-won, with some calling him a “great thief”.
Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University commented, “Netflix is not even available in China, yet they illegally watch it and make such outrageous claims. This is truly a case of blaming the victim.”
Professor Seo further emphasized, “China needs to stop its bad habit of trying to appropriate Korean culture, including kimchi, samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) and dolsot bibimbap (Hot Stone Pot Bibimbap). China must learn to respect the cultures of other countries first.”
Source: Daum
