Introverted chef Choi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yun-style variety show "Sikspoiler" arrives for viewers today (21).
On the 17th, a press conference for SBS's new variety show "Choi Kang-rok's Road: Sikspoiler" was held at a cafe in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. The conference was attended by chefs Choi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yun, singer Defconn, and producers Son Jeong-min and Ha Jeong-seok, who discussed the program.
"Choi Kang-rok's Road: Sikspoiler" is a new-concept gourmet variety show in which true food lovers roam every corner of the country, proclaim themselves "taste spoilers (sikspoiler)" based on their experiences and detailed cooking secrets, and expose hidden secrets of flavor.
On the day, producer Son Jeong-min said the reason for casting Choi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yun as the representative chefs of "Sikspoiler" was, "They are introverts who, without doing anything, have an attractiveness that draws people in, and it started from the initial desire to see more. When I met them, they were not endlessly shy or taciturn. They express strong opinions, and when they open up verbally it became charming, so we wanted to concretize that surprising charm. We needed someone like Defconn to draw out hidden charms, so he is an important driving force," he said.
On the difference between previous gourmet programs and "Sikspoiler," chef Choi Kang-rok said, "If there are 100 chefs, I think there are 100 different colors. There is now too much information. Even for swordsmanship there is now an enormous amount of good information you can acquire," and added, "But now two more colors are added, and while it may be the same, we can now speak in a slightly different language."
Chef Choi Kang-rok added, "I also think it changes slightly depending on the direction the MC leads it; there were very pointed questions, and other questions arose from the chefs' own experiences, so they answered those as well."
Recalling when he was asked to be the host alongside the two chefs, Defconn said, "First of all I'm very grateful, but many schedules are coming in. In your 30s you want to do everything. Because I can't, I even have to set aside time for exercise and manage my schedule," recalling that he had hesitated despite the offer.
He continued, "A writer who worked on 'I Live Alone' contacted me and said they wanted to do something with chefs Choi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yun. The running time is 80 minutes but there's no way to fill it with just the two of them. What should we do?" and added, "I'm not in a physical condition to do outdoor activities. That might have been possible for me in my 30s, but now it's difficult. I thought it was such a good idea that I wanted to back out, but this program might open a new stage for introverts. The chefs' stories were resonant. I felt I could tell their stories on behalf of viewers and learn their know-how about food and ingredients, so I decided to participate."
In particular, "Sikspoiler" will follow the successful conclusion of "Whenever there's a break," and is scheduled to meet viewers on Tuesday nights. Expectations are growing for Defconn to take over the baton from Yu Jae-seok. In response, Defconn said, "I didn't know (if I would take the baton), I was not aware," adding, "So taking over the baton is a bit of a burden for me."
He added, "Senior Jae-seok is the number one senior I always respect. But I hope that people who enjoyed SBS variety shows on Tuesdays will watch this without feeling burdened. The two have more responsibility than I do, so I hope their chemistry is well received."
Defconn described the chemistry between chefs Choi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yun: "As you can see from the teaser, they feel like a very affectionate elderly couple. There is also a deep bro-mance sentiment. You can see their desire for broadcasting, but it's not a business or commercial look; they just seem to enjoy the show. I'm in the position of observing the two, and it's truly beautiful to see people like this."
However, chef Choi Kang-rok said he faced a falling-out crisis with chef Kim Do-yun during filming. He said, "I think we might cut ties after this is all over. There were clashes. About food knowledge or experience..." and added, "If saying 'that's right' when discussing something counts as being in sync, I think I used the opposite rhythm. After filming I called and told him not to actually cut ties, I think. Is that also rhythm?" he asked, drawing laughter.
But chef Kim Do-yun drew a line regarding Choi Kang-rok's remark about cutting ties, saying, "I only acted that way during filming; otherwise I never thought about it. The idea of cutting ties came up, but I never once considered it."
Reflecting on filming with the two chefs, Defconn said, "I'm not someone who knows a lot about cooking nor a cooking show host, so I don't really know, but the two are as charming as participants on 'I'm SOLO.'" He added, "Chef Choi Kang-rok is like Young-cheol, and chef Kim Do-yun is like Ok-soon. Kim Do-yun is an onion, but like a rainbow-colored onion; I was amazed on set. There are such rare people. If you watch, you'll probably smile."
Defconn said, "There is the pleasure of getting to know the two, and you can also enjoy tasting people. Variety shows about close friends traveling together are fun, but this seems to have a different temperament from those programs. If you watch, you may feel a different vibe."
Meanwhile, SBS's new variety show "Sikspoiler" will air Tuesday, the 21st, at 9 p.m.
[Photo] SBS
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