Netflix cooking show-producers
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| ▲ Producer Kim Hak-min is shown in this photo provided by Netflix on Oct. 15, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ A still from "Culinary Class Wars" is shown in this photo provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Scriptwriter Mo Eun-seol is shown in this photo provided by Netflix on Oct. 15, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Producer Kim Eun-ji is shown in this photo provided by Netflix on Oct. 15, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Netflix cooking show-producers
'Culinary Class Wars' creators address concerns about class divide, tease Season 2 plans
By Woo Jae-yeon
SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- The divide between established chefs and lesser-known underdogs resonated well with audiences, despite initial concerns about stirring up issues of class division, the producers and a writer of Netflix's hit cooking competition show, "Culinary Class Wars," said Tuesday.
"Honestly, I was initially concerned about the concept," co-producer Kim Eun-ji said during an interview with local reporters in Seoul.
"With the 'White Spoon' elite chefs receiving a free pass in the first round, I thought there might be complaints about the fairness of the competition," she said. "But the audience seemed to view it as fair, recognizing and respecting the achievements those chefs had already earned."
"Culinary Class Wars" is Netflix's first Korean original cooking competition show, which pits elite chefs (White Spoons) against lesser-known underdogs (Black Spoons) in intense culinary battles to determine the country's top cook.
Since its debut on Sept. 17, the show has topped Netflix's non-English series chart for three consecutive weeks, drawing millions of views worldwide. Its fierce competition has drawn comparisons to the intensity of another Korean hit show, "Physical 100," while sparking international interest in the diversity of talented Korean chefs and their dishes.
Earlier in the day, Netflix confirmed the production of Season 2, aiming for a release in the latter half of next year.
Another producer Kim Hak-min said no specific details have been decided for the second season yet, but they are in positive discussions with the two judges -- renowned restaurateur and TV personality Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae, the country's only Michelin 3-star chef, about returning to the show. He also stressed the production team is closely monitoring viewers' feedback to create an even more engaging experience for Season 2.
"We're starting from a blank slate," Kim Hak-min said, expressing his excitement about the quick announcement of Season 2. Reflecting on his comments from the press conference held last month before the show's launch, he said, "When I was asked what I hoped this show would be remembered for, I answered, I hoped the most common response would be 'make Season 2 quickly.'"
Scriptwriter Mo Eun-seol expressed her hope to cast British celebrity chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay for the second season.
"It's still just a wish," she said. "But one thing I can say for certain is that we will do our best to bring in outstanding chefs for the second season, as many hesitated to join Season 1, unsure of what the program was truly about."
One of the most intense competitions occurred in the semi-final, where eight chefs faced off to create a unique tofu-based dish (known as "dubu" in Korean) within 30 minutes. The challenge continued in an elimination format until only one chef remained.
Paik suggested dubu as the main ingredient for the round, highlighting its central role in many Korean dishes despite its mild flavor.
"With the show aimed at a global audience, he recommended dubu for its strong connection to Korean cuisine, as well as its seemingly bland -- but intriguing and technically challenging -- nature," producer Kim Eun-ji said.
On the success of Season 1, producer Kim Hak-min stressed the show aimed to offer more than just a culinary battle.
"I stopped watching cooking competition shows well before we started filming," he said.
"I wanted to create something original, rather than drawing inspiration from existing shows. We tried to go beyond the mere competition, and to focus on presenting each participant's story in a compelling manner."
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