"This is awkward"
MBN K-bakery survival show "Cheonha Jebbang" sees Kwon Seong-jun reconvene in a dizzying reunion with Nam Jeong-seok and Ahn Byung-tae—both from Culinary Class Wars—in roles reversed.
Cheonha Jebbang, which premiered on Feb. 1, is the country's first "K-bakery survival" to select the world's best pastry chef, driving the craze for "K-bread," which has become a trend beyond mere food. From episode 1 it not only ranked first among general and cable entertainment shows in the same time slot, but reviews of challengers' bakeries flooded social media after people visited them in person, and tips for beating the one- to two-hour wait at Im Dong-seok's "Fermentation Ping" bakery after appearing in episode 1 circulated, drawing intense attention.
In episode 2, airing today, Kwon Seong-jun will once again meet Nam Jeong-seok and Ahn Byung-tae—who joined him on Culinary Class Wars—not as fellow contestants but as judges, expressing unusual emotions. Kwon Seong-jun, who occupied a higher rank as a White Spoon on Culinary Class Wars, shows his burden at having to judge Nam Jeong-seok, who ranked above him, and Ahn Byung-tae, who had been placed in the "hold" rank, saying, "This is awkward." Nam Jeong-seok and Ahn Byung-tae also convey private thoughts such as "It feels too cruel," casting a subtle atmosphere as the three, now reversed in status, draw attention.
Also, a donut that prompted rave praise—"This is tastier than Nord Donut"—appears and draws attention. MC Lee Da-hee cheers and takes a certification photo, saying "It's so cute" at the donut's adorable visual. But the protagonist, "the queen of donuts" Jane Young, smiles briefly before saying, "I shouldn't talk about family...," and bursts into tears as she speaks about her son with autism. All the judges are moved to tears in an instant, putting the spotlight on Jane Young's judging result.
Moreover, a showdown over the basic but nation-shaking "salt bread" unfolds. In a do-or-die contest with flour, butter and salt as the three main ingredients, two bakers representing Seongsu and Yongsan fiercely compete with their specialties. Son Seong-pil, the Seongsu-dong veteran nicknamed "Seongsu-dong success story" with annual sales of 2 billion won, and Kim Jeong-eun of Yongsan's top five salt bread shops "Salt Bread Top Tier" each make their salt breads using differentiated methods—Son with hand-made salted butter and Kim using tangzhong, where the dough flour is cooked. Amid this, judge Kim Na-rae's sharp remark, "I don't know why salt bread became a trend," created a sense of foreboding. Though the two smile throughout the work while being conscious of each other, anticipation rises over who will claim the salt bread throne.
Meanwhile, episode 2 of Cheonha Jebbang raises tension with an unprecedented "withdrawal remark" in survival show history. One contestant, whose dazzling technique had drawn admiration, gradually darkened in expression during the work, then slammed down a knife and explosively asked, "Is there a withdrawal?" heightening the sense of crisis. Curiosity grows over whether the show will see its first withdrawal in an unpredictable development.
The producers said, "Since the first broadcast of Cheonha Jebbang, a syndrome-level craze has been detected everywhere. We are gaining strength from moments that confirm the power of K-bakery," and added, "Episode 2 will reveal a world of diverse breads and desserts that will dazzle the eyes, even tighter relationships and hidden stories. Please look forward to it."
Meanwhile, MBN's Cheonha Jebbang episode 2 will air tonight, Feb. 8, at 9:40 p.m.
[Photo] MBN's Cheonha Jebbang
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