tvN 'Chagane' ended on a satisfying note with an open ending toward a new business score.
On the 9th episode of tvN's real gangsta sitcom 'Chagane,' which aired on the 5th, the organization Chagane's final journey to Busan to develop a new kimchi business was depicted. The members' chemistry, which never let their guard down for a moment, and the selection of the winner of the kimchi survival gave unpredictable fun until the end.
As the members faced the last night of the Busan business trip, an unusual atmosphere was detected among them, drawing attention. The incident began with a room game. Divided into three teams—Cha Seung-won & Dannygu, Choo Sung Hoon & Tommy, and DinDin—yutnori proceeded, and conflicts were sparked when different "local rules" appeared in each region. Amid endless debates over rules, DinDin, who finished last, expressed dissatisfaction, saying "this is grounds for a civil lawsuit," and even a 'runaway incident' occurred with him leaving the lodging. Cha Seung-won, visibly sulking, tried to calm DinDin by giving him pocket money after he returned to the lodging, drawing laughs.
The second round of the room game continued with an alkkagi contest. The loser's penalty was to receive Choo Sung Hoon's low kick. Dannygu, the first victim, fell with an exaggerated reaction to a single low kick, and then DinDin also received a low-kick penalty from Tommy, provoking laughter. Then the 1-on-1 showdown of "soul enemies" between Cha Seung-won and DinDin was set, and Cha Seung-won also received a low kick, adding to the laughs.
The highlight of the Busan trip was the kimchi blind tasting event. As a gateway that could become a stepping stone toward a new business score, four types of kimchi competed at a steakhouse in Busan: Cha Seung-won's cool, refreshing Cha Seung-won-style kimchi; Choo Sung Hoon's fiery spicy kimchi; DinDin's unusual "Vancouver maple kimchi"; and an apple kkakdugi co-created by Tommy and Dannygu. The four kimchi varieties were placed in four-section bento boxes and served to customers, who then voted for the most delicious kimchi. For fairness, the kimchi were provided to customers labeled only as A·B·C·D.
Watching customers' reactions in real time from the control room, the members couldn't hide their tension at the unexpectedly divided tastes. A reversal also followed. Early on, Choo Sung Hoon's spicy kimchi showed strength, but DinDin's "Vancouver maple kimchi" gathered votes with its characteristic sweet flavor and succeeded in overturning the lead. The apple kkakdugi made by Tommy and Dannygu also drew unexpectedly favorable reviews. In the midterm tally, Choo Sung Hoon's kimchi was first, and Cha Seung-won ranked last, causing shock. Amid DinDin's teasing reactions, Choo Sung Hoon said, "We should change Chagane to Choo-gane," drawing laughter.
But the reversal did not end there. While the members finished the Busan trip and left for Seoul first, the later influx of votes from young customers overturned the atmosphere in an instant. Ultimately, the final first-place kimchi belonged to Cha Seung-won. Of 39 customers, Cha Seung-won received 15 votes and smiled, saying "truth cannot be ignored," as he regained his pride. There were also praises calling Cha Seung-won's kimchi "the taste of heaven."
At the end of the broadcast, the four Chagane kimchi varieties and the voting results were delivered to a partner company, hinting at the possibility of a future new business. The core item was Cha Seung-won's kimchi, and in fact the youngest members DinDin and Dannygu had secretly added more seasoning. Added to that was a "Chubasco" sauce made by adding Choo Sung Hoon's spicy flavor—whether 'Chagane' can make the one big score it dreamed of a reality was left as an open ending, leaving viewers with expectation and lingering aftertaste.
tvN 'Chagane' depicted the story of members aiming for one big life-changing score through a new business across journeys to Thailand, Japan and Busan, offering the genre fun of a "sitcom within noir." Led by 16-year friends Cha Seung-won and Choo Sung Hoon, the members' spicy chemistry stood out. Cha Seung-won shone with a cool charisma, a "crispy outside, tender inside" charm, delicate taste and a skilled touch; straight-forward action leader Choo Sung Hoon; Tommy, who added fun with a mysterious presence; DinDin, a reliable chief of staff with a "teasing DNA"; and Dannygu, who stole the elders' hearts with an innocent charm—the members' chemistry blended spicily and drew praise from viewers.
[photo] broadcast capture
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