“Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 reignited public curiosity in aggressive cooking exhibits in Korea — not just by crowning a winner, however by spotlighting cooks whose personalities, philosophies and life tales resonated with viewers.
The season featured an unusually numerous lineup, starting from veteran cooks with a long time of expertise to late bloomers who discovered their calling after a number of profession detours, in addition to a Buddhist nun dedicated to temple delicacies.
Whereas the competitors was a battle of abilities, many viewers discovered themselves drawn to the contestants’ humor, confidence, vulnerability and willingness to problem conference. Social media buzz, viral memes and spirited on-line debates adopted every episode, turning the cooks into cultural speaking factors.
Chef Lim Seong-geun / Captured from Netflix
Lim Seong-geun
Though he didn’t take residence the highest prize, chef Lim Seong-geun left maybe the strongest impression on viewers.
Cooking for greater than 4 a long time, Lim is each a veteran chef and a content material creator, and beforehand gained “Korean Meals Battle” Season 3.
Audiences had been drawn to his sharp humorousness, frequent bluffs, outspoken remarks and passionate perspective all through the competitors. His exaggerated boasts shortly was memes, together with one dubbing him “Omanjwa,” that means “the person who could make 50,000 totally different sauces,” which circulated broadly on social media.
An lively YouTuber, Lim mentioned his channel has seen a dramatic surge in subscribers because the present aired.
Lim is about to seem later this week on “You Quiz on the Block,” the favored discuss present hosted by comic Yoo Jae-suk, the place he’s anticipated to share behind-the-scenes tales from the present in addition to particulars about his private life.
Ven. Seonjae speaks about “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 throughout a press convention in Seoul, Dec. 17. Yonhap
Ven. Seonjae
Ven. Seonjae, a Buddhist nun and temple meals skilled, additionally turned a speaking level due to her uncommon background.
In a latest interview, Seonjae mentioned individuals round her had discouraged her from becoming a member of the present.
“Folks suggested me to not settle for the invitation as a result of it could be shameful for a temple meals grasp to be eradicated,” she mentioned. “However I wasn’t inquisitive about successful. I wished to spark dialogue about Korean delicacies, temple meals and the way cooks ought to method cooking.”
Chef Choi Kang-rok / Captured from Netflix
Choi Kang-rok
Many viewers had been already accustomed to winner Choi Kang-rok, who competed within the first season in 2024. What renewed public curiosity, nonetheless, was his unconventional life path.
The 47-year-old chef reportedly as soon as dreamed of changing into a drummer and didn’t start his skilled cooking profession till his 20s. He studied Spanish in school and labored part-time at a sushi restaurant to save cash for a drum set. His life took a flip after studying the Japanese manga sequence “Shota no Sushi.”
Choi later moved to Japan to review on the famend Tsuji Culinary Institute. After returning to Korea, he unsuccessfully ran a takeout Korean meals restaurant. To repay his money owed, he joined a buying and selling firm, and whereas working there, competed in “Grasp Chef Korea” Season 2 in 2013 — finally successful the competitors.
Chef Lee Ha-sung / Captured from Netflix
Lee Ha-sung
Runner-up Lee Ha-sung, often called “Culinary Monster” on the present, additionally sparked debate amongst viewers for his assured — typically polarizing — perspective.
His creativity and technical abilities impressed many, and he steadily expressed delight in his dishes, saying they deserved to win. Nevertheless, not all viewers responded positively. One Naver blogger wrote, “I do know you’re assured, however your tone and perspective, which really feel unusually condescending, don’t come throughout properly.”
Regardless of the criticism, Lee’s profession displays his persistence. He labored his means up in the USA and mentioned he plans to open his personal restaurant in New York Metropolis later this 12 months.
Chef Hou Deok-juk speaks about “Culinary Class Wars” Season 2 throughout a press convention in Seoul, Dec. 17, 2025. Yonhap
Hou Deok-juk
In the meantime, Hou Deok-juk, 76-year-old govt chef of the Michelin-starred Haobin at Ambassador Seoul Pullman resort, impressed viewers along with his age-defying competitiveness, humility and management. Following the present’s conclusion, Hou opened his personal Instagram account, drawing admiration from followers impressed by his continued ardour for cooking.
