"Those Who Couldn’t Even Dare to Invite"…Netflix 'Culinary Class Wars 2', The Class Has Changed

Kim Eun-ji, the producer of the Netflix original show 〈Culinary Class Wars: Cooking Class Wars 2〉, stated at a press conference held at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Hotel in Seoul on the 17th that the success of season 1 gave courage to both the production team and the cast.

⬦ "Inviting Hudeokjuk and Monk Seonjae… We Couldn't Even Imagine It in Season 1"

Producer Kim Eun-ji said, "〈Culinary Class Wars〉 season 1 gave us all courage," adding, "Many who declined to participate at that time volunteered for season 2, and the production team was able to courageously propose to Chef Hudeokjuk and Monk Seonjae, whom we couldn't even dare to suggest during season 1."

〈Culinary Class Wars〉 is a survival program where a total of 100 chefs, including 80 'black spoon' hidden masters and 20 star chefs known as 'white spoons', compete in cooking battles. Last year, season 1 became the first Korean entertainment show to achieve global number one for three consecutive weeks in the Netflix non-English show category, and it was evaluated as the most successful Netflix original entertainment show of that year.

⬦ Is a Season 1 Participant a White Spoon?… Upgraded Fun with the 'Hidden White Spoon' System

In season 2, which has released up to episode 3 as of the 16th, while maintaining the existing format of the competition between black spoons and white spoons and blind competitions, a new 'hidden white spoon' system has been introduced. This system depicts two participants from season 1 re-challenging in the competition.

Co-director Kim Hak-min stated, "The previous season received so much love that the pressure was immense," adding, "While we should avoid change for the sake of change, I thought we needed to show something new in season 2 to find another kind of fun. The breakthrough is the 'hidden white spoon' system."

Season 2 features a glamorous lineup that surpasses season 1, including Michelin 2-star Chef Lee Jun, Michelin 1-star chefs Son Jong-won and Hudeokjuk, who has 57 years of experience, and Monk Seonjae, a master of temple cuisine.

Monk Seonjae stated, "I believe that all aspects of daily life are practice. After much contemplation, I participated and met 99 practitioners here," adding, "I participated in the competition with respect for their lives and skills."

Chef Hudeokjuk remarked, "57 years is a long time, but the skills of cooking have no end to learning," and added, "I can still compete with the young ones, and it is a great happiness that I can pass on what I know to my juniors."

The production team identified Chef Son Jong-won as the most difficult participant to invite. Producer Kim Eun-ji recalled, "Chef Son Jong-won completely declined, but I couldn't forget it even weeks later," and added, "I thought, let's suggest it one more time as if I were crazy, and I am so grateful that he joined us."

Chef Son Jong-won stated, "Since my main job is the most important, the time I can dedicate to my establishment is also important," and added, "I was moved by the production team's repeated invitations and decided to take on the challenge."

The press conference was also attended by black spoon chefs who passed the first competition, including 'Yoon Joo-mo the Brewer', 'Chinese Witch', 'Baby Beast', and 'French Papa'.

French Papa, who was recognized as a hidden talent among the white spoon chefs on the show, shared, "I was actually wondering if I could continue cooking and if I was really a chef, but 'Culinary Class Wars' was a great comfort," and added, "During the competition, I realized that I still love cooking."

Yoon Joo-mo the Brewer, who received the first passing score from judge Ahn Seong-jae, expressed, "I was so moved because I never expected to survive," and added, "Just being able to cook with chefs who have lived fiercely is so heartwarming."

⬦ "I Endured for 9 Months"… Breaking Through the Baek Jong-won Controversy

However, there were several twists and turns before season 2 was released. Judge Baek Jong-won was embroiled in controversies over origin labeling and agricultural law violations. Baek took responsibility for various controversies and temporarily suspended his broadcasting activities from May, but returned to the screen last month with the MBC show 〈Chef of Antarctica〉.

Even after filming was completed, Netflix was contemplating whether to release the show, but decided to go ahead with the program in September, stating, "We will leave it to the viewers' judgment."

Producer Kim Eun-ji expressed, "I wanted to boast about season 2 so much, but I had to endure for over 9 months," adding, "I am so glad that I can finally boast about it now."

The production team took a cautious stance regarding the potential replacement of judges for season 3. Co-director Kim Hak-min stated, "We are taking the viewers' various feedback very seriously and cautiously," but added, "Since we just released season 2, we are in a situation where we do not know whether season 3 will be produced. We are listening carefully to the responses, so we will keep the feedback in mind and prepare for the next step."