This is a review article written after watching the broadcast.
On You Quiz on the Block, Lim Seong-geun revealed the reason he started cooking and confessed that Hansik Daecheop 3 was more difficult.
On the 14th episode of tvN variety show You Quiz on the Block, Culinary Class Wars 2 contestant Im Seong-keun, who has been wildly popular as the 'arrogant sauce lord,' appeared and shared behind-the-scenes stories.
Im Seong-keun ranked in the top seven on Culinary Class Wars 2 and showcased exceptional wit and charm. He topped the buzz index in the non-drama category for two consecutive weeks.
When asked about being recruited for Culinary Class Wars 2, Im Seong-keun said, "I was approached for season 1 too. I had done a survival program, so I thought I should go on season 3. That would make it more complete," adding, "I told the producers I'd go if it was season 2. They actually recruited me for season 2, and I said, 'I'll go if it's season 3,' and they scolded me," revealing the behind-the-scenes story of appearing on season 2 as a White Spoon.
Then Yu Jae-seok mentioned the scene on Culinary Class Wars 2 where five dishes were made over 180 minutes. Im Seong-keun recalled the time he lifted a huge beef rib and said with a laugh, "I thought I was going to die. The broadcasting station guys hung it on the second floor so we could just put it below," grumbling.
Although he showcased many dishes at the time, Im Seong-keun was regrettably eliminated. About that he said, "I'm not regretful," but added, "There is one thing I do regret. I should have done two more things. I wanted to do a bit more to introduce more Korean food overseas. I should have done two more things. That's what I regret."
Im Seong-keun said he started cooking after running away from home twice, worked in restaurants, and found his aptitude there, drawing attention. He said, "I was washing dishes for three to five years, but I became head chef in three years. That was when I was 19."
He said he was ambitious and recalled, "Dishwashers have to trim vegetables. They give you a rough knife, and I would get carried away and cut spoiled radishes and collect them all. Then I'd come out at dawn and get the best knife—the head chef's knife, I guess. I kept cutting and getting cut," adding, "There is no exact recipe, but you must have your own tricks."
He also said that when there was a popular restaurant, he got a job there and learned recipes and how to manage ingredients by doing the work himself. Later, despite 24 years of experience, he studied late and obtained the cooking technician certification he wanted as well as a food technology certificate, which surprised many.
Meanwhile, Yu Jae-seok asked, "Between Hansik Daecheop 3 and Culinary Class Wars 2, which was more difficult?" Im Seong-keun replied directly, "If I compare the two, the difficulty of Hansik Daecheop 3 is three times as high. The missions are more challenging. You also have to have a greater variety of dishes."
He said Culinary Class Wars was easier compared with Hansik Daecheop. Im Seong-keun said, "So there was no nervousness," and recalled about Hansik Daecheop 3, "I'm usually not easily nervous, but the back of the shop caught fire toward the end of the broadcast. It was the night before the contest, and I had prepared all the ingredients, but they were burning. I was more worried about tomorrow's contest than the shop."
Ultimately, Im Seong-keun went out at dawn to get ingredients again and, after many trials and tribulations, attended the contest, but he was at risk of elimination due to the aftereffects of the previous day's fire. However, he quickly overcame the crisis and won Hansik Daecheop 3.
Finally, Im Seong-keun expressed his affection for Korean food, saying, "I actually hope people understand that our Korean cuisine is also diverse. We eat stews every day so they seem mundane, but to foreigners they are peculiar dishes. I hope this opportunity helps introduce Korean food."
[Photo] You Quiz on the Block broadcast screen capture
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