MBC's Chuseok special nationwide No. 1 opens the Chuseok holiday festivities tonight (3rd) at 8:10 p.m.
Under the bold concept of the country's first "local specialties Champions League," Hongseong in South Chungcheong, Anseong in Gyeonggi and Jeju black cattle compete in a single match, facing off for national pride over the title of Korea's best hanwoo.
In the first broadcast, farmers from the national hanwoo top three regions bring rare hanwoo cuts they prepared themselves to the stage. Seven gourmet judges (Professor Moon Jeong-hoon, Chef Lee Won-il, culinary researcher Hong Shin-ae, creator Mimiminu, announcer Jeong Young-han, singer Kim Tae-yeon, broadcaster Patricia) and a 100-member judging panel taste on the spot and vote to determine the single "nationwide No. 1."
It is truly a "war of taste." Park Na-rae, who visited Hongseong, after tasting barbecue on a giant grill, raised the mood instantly with a bombshell declaration, "If this hanwoo isn't No. 1, I'll bet my entire fortune." Mun Se-yoon, who visited Anseong, tasted a full course from hanwoo soup to yukhoe to grilled dishes and turned the venue into laughter with the legendary line, "Everyone, we're eating hanwoo with the broadcaster's money!"
Kim Dae-ho personally visited the grazing grounds of Jeju black cattle and, while enjoying a full course at a campsite, expressed sincere admiration, saying, "The black cattle meat tastes like milk and cheese." Mun Se-yoon retorted, "If that's the case, just drink milk!", provoking uproarious laughter all the way to the studio.
A debate over how to grill meat broke out in the studio. Culinary researcher Hong Shin-ae argued, "You should flip the meat often. Flipping it only twice is dangerous," but Professor Moon Jeong-hoon took the opposite view, saying, "You should never flip it until the surface turns brown." Chef Lee Won-il, caught in the middle, was embarrassed and ultimately revealed his own "secret meat philosophy," raising the tension.
Nationwide No. 1 is not just an eating show; it adds weight to the program by showing the region's history and pride contained in hanwoo. It is expected to provide an opportunity to see "why this hanwoo has to be No. 1" firsthand.
Where will the choice of the 100 go? Among the traditional hanwoo of Hongseong in South Chungcheong, the authentic gourmet tradition of Anseong in Gyeonggi and the revival story of Jeju black cattle, only one will sit on the "nationwide No. 1" throne. Meanwhile, MBC's Chuseok special nationwide No. 1 will capture viewers' taste and attention simultaneously tonight (3rd) at 8:10 p.m.<
[Photo] OSEN DB, MBC
[OSEN]