Netflix’s latest Korean reality series, Culinary Class Wars, has dominated the Global Top 10 TV (non-English) rankings for three successive weeks. This show outperformed the newly launched K-drama Gyeongseong Creature, featuring prominent stars like Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee. The skyrocketing success of this cooking competition underscores the significant influence of Korean reality television on a global scale.
The show presents a fresh twist by pitting cooks from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in culinary contests. Participants crafted innovative dishes that not only showcased their cooking skills but also conveyed their personal stories and inspirations. Over 12 episodes, 80 chefs referred to as “Black Spoons”faced off against 20 elite “White Spoon”chefs.
This extensive involvement made Culinary Class Wars Netflix’s most-viewed non-English series worldwide, gaining traction in regions like North America, Europe, and Asia, with over 4.9 million views recorded between September 23 and 29, 2024.
Edward Lee, a finalist, captured hearts with his journey of reconnecting with his Korean heritage
The show garnered praise from critics for its inventive approach, merging the culinary arts with emotionally charged personal stories. Notably, Korean-American chef Edward Lee rediscovered his original Korean name, Lee Kyun, during his experience on the show.
A seasoned culinary talent, having conquered Iron Chef America and catered for President Joe Biden at the 2023 White House dinner, Lee delivered a poignant letter in Korean while presenting his final dish in the grand finale, leaving both the audience and judges deeply moved. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity the show provided in helping him connect with his Korean roots.
Social media buzzed with discussions about skill, resilience, and the emotional narratives behind the dishes. Viewers appreciated the way the program humanized top chefs, resonating with their experiences. The audience passionately shared their thoughts on favored contestants, standout dishes, and the show’s profound themes, reflecting a global appreciation on various social platforms.
In addition to featuring a top-notch panel of celebrity judges such as Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae, the competition included Michelin-starred chefs like Fabrizio Ferrari and Joseph Lidgerwood as contenders among the “White Spoons.”
The “White Spoon”chefs’ lineup featured 20 culinary powerhouses, including Choi Hyun-seok, Edward Lee, seasoned chef Lu Chinglai, Hwang Jin-seon, Kim Seung-min, Lee Young-suk, Jang Ho-joon, Jung Ji-sun, Kim Do-yun, Nam Jeong-seok, Seonkyoung Longest, Oh Se-deuk, and Park Joon-woo.
Out of the original 80 Black Spoon chefs, only 20 advanced to the second round. The eight semi-finalists included renowned chefs like Triple Star (Scott Kang), Napoli Matfia (Kwon Sung-jun), Cooking Maniac (Yoon Nam-no), and Auntie Omakase #1 (Lee Mi-ryeong).
The culinary challenges ranged from direct cooking duels to team competitions preparing 100 dishes, and successfully running lucrative food stalls for famous mukbang influencers. Ultimately, Kwon Sung-jun, known as Napoli Matfia, emerged as the season 1 champion of Culinary Class Wars.
All episodes of Culinary Class Wars are currently available for streaming on Netflix.
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