Kim Hak-min, left, and Kim Eun-ji, producers of Netflix cooking present “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2, attend a press convention on the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Sq. Seoul lodge in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
“Culinary Class Wars,” Netflix’s hit cooking competitors, returned Tuesday, with its producers stressing that the brand new run stays centered on the pure depth of cooking, regardless of ongoing scrutiny surrounding star decide Paik Jong-won.
“We put quite a lot of thought into the best way to put together for Season 2, particularly given the immense love the primary season obtained,” producer Kim Hak-min stated throughout a press convention in Seoul Wednesday.
“We concluded that altering for the sake of change might be toxic. As a substitute, we targeted on sustaining the weather folks cherished whereas refining the failings to create a extra polished program. In a means, staying true to the unique essence was a more durable path than whole transformation.”
Kim Eun-ji, one other producer, stated the constructive response to the present’s debut season gave the workforce braveness to ask culinary legends who as soon as appeared out of attain.
“The braveness we gained from Season 1 allowed us to strategy masters like Ven. Seonjae and chef Hu Deok-juk. We had been fearful it could be an rude request, however their swift acceptance shocked us. When the 100-chef lineup was finalized, I could not wait to point out it to the world,” she stated.
First launched in 2024, “Culinary Class Wars” grew to become a cultural phenomenon by pitting 80 “Black Spoon” underdog cooks in opposition to 20 “White Spoon” elite masters.
The second season dropped the primary three episodes on Tuesday, out of a complete of 12, with 38 cooks — 19 from every group — advancing to the subsequent spherical. Early episodes have instantly sparked intense curiosity from viewers.
A serious spotlight of the brand new run is the “Hidden White Spoon” rule, which introduced again Season 1 fan favorites Choi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yun. Producer Kim Hak-min defined they had been invited as a result of viewers actually wished to see them once more, whereas producer Kim Eun-ji added that their return was so secretive, even the cooks’ households did not know they had been on the present till it aired.
The press convention additionally addressed points surrounding competitors decide Paik, CEO of restaurant franchise operator Theborn Korea. The decide and his firm have lately confronted public backlash over varied franchise administration points and high quality management controversies.
Paik and one other decide, chef Anh Sung-jae of Mosu, didn’t attend the press occasion.
Relating to the destructive public sentiment, producer Kim Hak-min stated, “We take various suggestions from viewers very significantly and closely. Whereas it’s too early to debate Season 3, we’re retaining our eyes and ears open to public response as we put together our subsequent steps.”
From left, cooks Jung Ho-young, Ven. Seonjae, Son Jong-won and Hu Deok-juk pose throughout a press convention for Netflix cooking present “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 on the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Sq. Seoul lodge in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap
Held after the present’s premiere, the occasion introduced collectively White Spoon heavyweight cooks Jung Ho-young, Ven. Seonjae, Son Jong-won and Hu Deok-juk. Becoming a member of them had been 4 Black Spoon cooks, launched solely by their nicknames. Their backstories and identities will probably be revealed all through the competitors — or once they attain the ultimate spherical — including a layer of suspense to the present’s evolving narrative.
Ven. Seonjae, a grasp of temple delicacies, described her expertise as a non secular journey.
“On this present, I met 99 seen practitioners and a whole bunch of invisible ones. I hope viewers see how a lot effort these cooks put into their meals, as their cooking shapes our lives,” she stated.
The 57-year veteran of Chinese language delicacies, Hu Deok-juk, echoed this sentiment of humility.
“Even after 57 years, I really feel like I’m simply starting to be taught. My happiness comes from passing what I do know to the youthful era, who’re like grandchildren to me,” he stated.
A Black Spoon contestant nicknamed “French Papa” expressed his hope that viewers would take an curiosity within the private tales of all of the taking part cooks.
“On set, I used to be so busy with preparations that I could not actually see the White Spoon cooks. However watching the episodes yesterday and seeing so many individuals cheering for us and worrying about us offered nice consolation,” he stated. “Every of the 100 cooks has their very own distinctive story. If viewers deal with these tales, I consider the cooks will really feel actually supported.”
