MBN 'The world's baking' judge Kwon Seong-jun, Kim Na-rae ignite a peculiar psychological battle ahead of the Italy vs. France baker showdown, known as the Korea-Japan equivalent in the baking world.
MBN variety program K-Bakery Survival 'The world's baking' has not only ranked No. 1 in its time slot among general programming-cable variety shows for two consecutive episodes according to Nielsen Korea, but has also stirred discussion with its overwhelming presence sweeping domestic and international OTTs. In addition, in the non-drama TV-OTT search response for the first week of Feb. released by Good Data Corporation, which analyzes K-content competitiveness, it jumped an astonishing 13 places from the previous week to rank fourth, and in non-drama cast search keywords Kim Na-rae ranked first and Im Dong-seok ranked sixth, proving the heated buzz.
In the third episode airing today, among the judges, Italy-trained Kwon Seong-jun and the head patissier of a five-star hotel in France, Kim Na-rae, reveal the competitive fire that ignited before the 'Italy vs. France showdown.' In an earlier episode the two drew attention with candid remarks about Italian and French breads and desserts, and while watching the work of the French challenger 'French rookie' Clément Boche and the Italian challenger 'three-star baker' Alessio Galli, they exchanged quick, teasing comments such as "It feels a bit buttery" and "Are Italians oily?" upping the tension. With Kwon Seong-jun and Kim Na-rae on high alert, attention is focused on which of the Italian and French challengers—each claiming to be from the birthplace of baking—will advance to round two.
Meanwhile, in episode three the list of 31 survivors from round one, who proved themselves with a 'signature bread,' is revealed for the first time. But the survivors are shocked when, immediately after entering round two, the rankings from first to 31st are announced, exclaiming, "Isn't this a public execution?" and "Are they preserving ranks?" One contestant, upon learning that they barely made round two in last place, 31st, said, "It actually made me more determined," showing a fierce resolve. Curiosity mounts about who the contestant that passed round one in 31st place is.
Above all, in round two the contestants who passed round one are split into eight teams to compete in a team battle. When the rule that all members of the team finishing in last place, eighth, will be automatically eliminated was revealed, contestants were shaken, saying, "That's cruel" and "Does this make sense?" On top of that, contestants show unease at the unexpected appearance of top-tier avengers and missions beyond imagination. All eyes are on what results the round-two contestants, who have begun an unseen war, will achieve.
The production team said, "Episode three, airing today, contains the end of round one, which many viewers showed great interest in, and the beginning of round two, which lets viewers glimpse another side of the challengers," adding, "Following episodes one and two, new surprising stories and twists will unfold. We ask for your interest."
Meanwhile, MBN 'The world's baking' is the country's first 'K-Bakery Survival' to select the world's best pastry and bakery chef, leading the craze of 'K-bread,' which has become a trend beyond mere food. Episode three airs today at 9:40 p.m.
[Photo] 'The world's baking'
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