Seo Bun-rye, the only master of cheonggukjang in Korea who created the 10 billion won annual sales legend, will appear on 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighbor Millionaire'.
On the program airing at 9:55 p.m. on the 18th, EBS 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighbor Millionaire' (hereinafter 'Neighbor Millionaire') will reveal the turbulent life story of Seo Bun-rye, the only cheonggukjang master in Korea and Food Master No. 62. Seo Bun-rye used 24 tons of soybeans a year just to make cheonggukjang, and achieved the astounding result of 10 billion won in annual sales from a single jang (fermentation vessel). The rollercoaster story she had to go through to reach her current position is expected to deliver a deep resonance. The dramatic journey of rising again after falling from the peak of success to the bottom, and the life lessons she gained at the end of it, will provide a powerful emotional impact.
In this episode, Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won visit Seo Bun-rye's farm in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. Faced with the overwhelming scenery of a 30,000-pyeong site and some 3,000 jangdoks (fermentation crocks) densely lined up, Seo Jang-hoon marvels, "This is like a park, not a house," and Jang Ye-won also cannot stop saying, "It seems to be the largest of the millionaires' houses I've been to." But moments later, Seo Jang-hoon immediately switches to 'worker mode' at the master's scolding, "If you're going to eat, you have to work!" The fundamental life of all jang begins with tasks such as sorting soybeans, and grueling labor continues up to putting seasoned cheonggukjang into a mortar and grinding it, as they set out to "earn their keep." The sight of a sullen Seo Jang-hoon, who says, "the most work we've ever done in 'Neighbor Millionaire'," adds to the amusement.
The philosophy and secret recipes behind master Seo Bun-rye's traditional jang flavor are also revealed in detail. Every process of boiling soybeans, making meju and fermenting it, and painstakingly completing the jang over a long period is vividly presented. In particular, the secret to Seo Bun-rye's signature cheonggukjang that has absolutely no odor will be unveiled, raising expectations. Seo Jang-hoon expresses his surprise, "When you make cheonggukjang, many people avoid it because of the smell, but there is no smell at all." Then, Seo Bun-rye's personally cooked cheonggukjang stew's deep and rich flavors trigger an outpouring of genuine reactions from Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won. Ultimately, to a sincere remark from Seo Jang-hoon, Seo Bun-rye says, "I feel like I'm going to cry," and becomes moved to tears. What was the sincerity from Seo Jang-hoon that made even the artisan with 40 years of experience shed tears? Its identity will be revealed on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 9:55 p.m. on EBS 'Seo Jang-hoon's Neighbor Millionaire'.
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