Actor Cha Seung-won says 'Bonjour Bakery' was his most challenging, rewarding show

▲ Actor Cha Seung-won attends the media conference for Coupang Play's Kdrama series "Bonjour Bakery" held in Seoul on May 6, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

SEOUL, May 6 (Yonhap) -- Actor Cha Seung-won said Wednesday that starring in the upcoming variety show "Bonjour Bakery" was both the most difficult and fulfilling experience of his entertainment career.

Speaking at a press conference in central Seoul, Cha described the program as “the most surprising” among his variety show appearances.

“You might wonder how we managed to pull it off,” he said. “By the end, I felt it was truly meaningful to be part of such a program.”

Cha, who earned nicknames like “Cha housekeeper” from "Three Meals a Day" and “Cha chef” from "Spanish Inn," takes on a new role as a dessert artisan, or “Cha-tissier,” in the show. Although he has demonstrated cooking skills in various programs, this marks his first challenge in baking.

“Baking is often described as a science, requiring precision,” he said. “I wasn’t confident at first because I’m not used to exact cooking. But the process itself was incredibly enjoyable, and overcoming each hurdle gave me a strong sense of accomplishment.”

▲ The main cast of for Coupang Play's Kdrama series "Bonjour Bakery" attend the show's media conference held in Seoul on May 6, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

Set to premiere at 4 p.m. Thursday, "Bonjour Bakery" is a baking-themed variety show set in a rural bakery in Gochang, North Jeolla Province. The program revolves around Korea’s first “senior dessert cafe,” where only visitors aged 65 or older and their companions are allowed.

The show features elderly guests alongside cast members including Kim Hee-ae, Kim Seon-ho and Lee Ki-taek, sharing moments of comfort and warmth.

Cha and Lee form the kitchen team, creating desserts using local specialties such as green barley and black raspberry, while Kim Hee-ae and Kim Seon-ho handle beverages and customer service.

The program was inspired by writer Kim Ran-ju’s personal experience. She recalled a moment when her father, who had been battling illness, enjoyed cake at a coffee shop on his way home, which led her to conceptualize the “senior dessert cafe.”

Kim Hee-ae said the show aims to bring joy to elderly people who may have limited access to such experiences.

“There are so many delicious foods in Korea now, but they are often enjoyed mainly by younger people, especially in cities,” she said. “We wanted to offer something sweet and comforting to older generations.”

The cast members said they were drawn to the show’s purpose of delivering happiness to seniors.

Kim Seon-ho said he found the experience healing as well, while Lee Ki-taek added that it made him reflect more warmly on his own family and those around him.

All four cast members pointed to the final event in the show as a particularly emotional highlight.

“It became a truly unforgettable memory,” Kim Hee-ae said.

Lee Ki-taek said he was so moved that he had to step away from the cameras to compose himself, adding that the moment remains vivid in his memory.

The show follows a growing trend of region-friendly variety programs aimed at revitalizing local communities, such as "After School Teacher Taeri" and "Bogum Magical."

Writer Kim expressed hope that the filming location could become a tourist attraction.

“Gochang has great food and many attractions,” she said. “We hope to find ways to connect the filming site with local tourism in cooperation with regional authorities.”

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