In 'The manager's ears are donkey ears,' Lee Sun-sil sparks a controversy over vinegar in Pyongyang naengmyeon.
KBS2 'The manager's ears are donkey ears' (directed by Ahn Sang-eun, hereafter 'Donkey Ears') is a voluntary role-reversal and self-reflection program for Korea's bosses to create workplaces worth working for, and it recorded a peak rating of 6.3% in the last episode, continuing its streak as the No. 1 entertainment program in the same time slot for 168 consecutive weeks. (Nielsen Korea)
In the 326th episode of 'Donkey Ears,' airing on the 5th, culinary researcher Lee Hye-jung begins an inspection of Lee Sun-sil's naengmyeon restaurant. The inspection is to select a winter menu in preparation for the coming winter. Accordingly, Lee Sun-sil and the head chef each put forward 'spicy soybean curd stew with dried radish greens' and 'spicy pollack rice cake dumpling soup' as main menus and compete in a winter menu showdown.
Especially, culinary researcher Lee Hye-jung reveals she has been close friends with Lee Sun-sil for more than 10 years, drawing attention. Proving their long friendship, Lee Hye-jung volunteers to taste the naengmyeon for Lee Sun-sil.
Known for her biting remarks, Lee Hye-jung takes a bite of the mul-naengmyeon at the restaurant Lee Sun-sil opened and says "It's delicious," prompting Lee Sun-sil's cheers. But immediately after briskly sipping the broth, Lee Hye-jung expresses concern, asking, "Why does it taste sour?" and makes everyone tense. Lee Sun-sil, as if nothing is wrong, surprises Lee Hye-jung by saying, "I put vinegar in it." Lee Hye-jung's expression hardens at once as she says in puzzlement, "I've never heard of putting vinegar in it," and scolds, "Why would the owner put vinegar as she pleases?" calling it "Lee Sun-sil's showing off."
While Lee Sun-sil was checking ingredients in the morning, she said, "You must put vinegar in Pyongyang naengmyeon," and replaced all of the existing broths. The head chef, however, is flustered and says, "In my 30 years of making naengmyeon, I've never put vinegar in the broth even once."
Which recipe is correct — the Pyongyang naengmyeon broth with vinegar made by North Korea-born food entrepreneur Lee Sun-sil or the vinegar-free Pyongyang naengmyeon of the head chef with 30 years of Korean naengmyeon experience — will be revealed in this week's broadcast of 'Donkey Ears.'
KBS2 'The manager's ears are donkey ears' airs every Sunday at 4:40 p.m. / elnino8919Wosen.co.kr
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