"The standard for tasting seems to be clear." 'Culinary Class Wars: Culinary Class Wars 2' was first released, and Paik Jong-won, CEO of Theborn Korea Inc., once again drew attention.
On the 16th, the Netflix original entertainment show 'Culinary Class Wars: Culinary Class Wars 2 (abbreviated Culinary Class Wars2)' premiered. With episodes 1 through 3 unveiled, the more glamorous casting, set design and "hidden rule" captured viewers from the start.
A situation in which only two judges had to evaluate a total of 100 outstanding chefs. In the 'Culinary Class Wars' series, where public voting is impossible except in certain rounds, the judges' authority was unusually strong. Michelin three-star chef Anh Sung-jae and Paik Jong-won, CEO of Theborn Korea Inc., the 'godfather of the restaurant industry,' had to satisfy, in turn, the white-spoon and black-spoon chefs.
Coincidentally, criticism toward CEO Paik Jong-won had formed before the release of 'Culinary Class Wars2.' It was the aftermath of allegations of false origin labeling for products sold by Theborn Korea Inc. In relation to violations of the food labeling and advertising law, Paik Jong-won himself was ultimately cleared of charges, and the corporation and two employees were forwarded to prosecutors without detention. Amid this, the 'Culinary Class Wars2' side ran Paik Jong-won's footage unabashedly, confronting the issue head-on.
Even during filming of 'Culinary Class Wars2,' controversies over Theborn Korea Inc. had already been raised. As if to end those concerns, CEO Paik Jong-won confidently carried out judging. The chefs' respect for him remained. When he, wearing gloves, took a big bite of a large handmade burger as the chef suggested, there was even an exclamation that "this gives vicarious satisfaction." At the sudden burst of applause, Paik Jong-won awkwardly asked, "Why are you clapping?"
The judging criteria became even stricter. Even a restaurant owner or someone who could instantly set a Korean table with skill could not easily pass. Among 80 black-spoon contestants, many were put on hold, and fewer than 10 people passed outright. Chefs Choi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yoon, who re-challenged as "hidden white-spoon" contestants after season 1, could only advance if they received unanimous approval from both Paik Jong-won and Anh Sung-jae from round 1, and Michelin one-star chef Kim Do-yoon was eliminated.
In the end, chefs' acknowledgments poured out: "I want someone who knows popular food well to evaluate me once," "The standard for tasting is clear," and "It's impressive that he tastes until the end." Facing critical eyes toward the program, the 'Culinary Class Wars2' production team appeared to answer with the broadcast. It was the reason the production team aired the program despite Paik Jong-won's personal decision to suspend broadcasting and focus on business.
[Photo] Provided by Netflix, OSEN DB.
[OSEN]