Actor Jang Geun-seok firmly anchored the center of "Discovering the dining table" with steady hosting skills and empathetic reactions.
On the first episode "A table that devotes time and care" of MBC's three-part Lunar New Year special "Discovering the dining table," which aired on the 10th, Jang Geun-seok departed for Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, with chef Yoon Nam-no, David Lee, Billy Tsuki and writer Kwak Jae-sik to seek the care and wisdom contained in the dining table.
"Discovering the dining table" is a K-food roadmentary that rediscovers the tastes and wisdom hidden in everyday dining tables and the value of food culture, and Korea's top chefs will reinterpret "K-food" and "Korean food culture" anew to present differentiated food content.
Jang Geun-seok, who has said he is usually interested in cooking, said, "I eat Korean food every day, but I haven't often had the chance to think deeply about where it came from and what processes it went through to be made. Through this opportunity, I want to rediscover the value of Korean food that I had forgotten," expressing his determination for the program.
On the day, to mark the first meeting of the "dining table family," Jang Geun-seok showed special affection by preparing a "welcome table" himself. Setting the table with tteokbokki, buljjal-myeon and local dish taepyeongcho purchased at the Yeongju market, he showed hosting skills that connected taste and stories, even explaining the origin of taepyeongcho. He particularly demonstrated his presence as a storytelling-style MC by expanding topics through talks using peppers and chili powder.
Then, in a meeting with an expert in traditional sauces, Jang Geun-seok enhanced information delivery by resolving curiosities about the gochujang production process and fermentation period through well-timed questions. Also, challenging himself to make meju for the first time in his life, he experienced firsthand crushing boiled soybeans and stepping on meju, marveling, "It was a process that took a long time and a lot of care," helping to deepen understanding of traditional food culture.
Later, Jang Geun-seok demonstrated his chops as a "home-cooked meal master" by making a radish leaf and cabbage doenjang soup using rice water in an outdoor kitchen. Naturally leading the atmosphere on site, he helped Tsuki with his japchae dish, radiating the warm chemistry of the "dining table family." In particular, the doenjang soup made by Jang Geun-seok drew rave reviews of "It's so delicious" from the cast, completing the cozy dining table atmosphere.
From the first broadcast, Jang Geun-seok raised the program's immersion with his fluent hosting, empathetic reactions and sincerity toward "K-food," increasing anticipation for future broadcasts.
The second episode of MBC's three-part Lunar New Year special "Discovering the dining table," which will offer even richer dining table stories along with Jang Geun-seok's activities, will air at 8:10 p.m. on the 17th.
Meanwhile, the band CHIMIRO, led by Jang Geun-seok, will meet fans starting with "2026 THE CHIMIRO IN SEOUL" on April 11, followed by performances in Osaka, Japan on the 16th and Tokyo on May 21.
[Photo] MBC "Discovering the dining table" capture
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