Movie Digest
Paik’s spirit is all about food and good company. Chef Paik Jong Won and one of his oldest friends, can smell the sizzling meat on the grill and let their noses lead the way. Paik and his friend meet rapper Jay Park and Loco there at the restaurant and sit down to have a few drinks and break bread with them. Chef Paik emphasizes the importance of good company and drinks. He quips that more important than pairing the right drink with the food is the company you surround yourself with while eating. This docu-series features multiple celebrities from all walks of life in conversation with chef Paik and his friend. This reality show within the span of six episodes delves into Korean delicacies and liquors.
The Feel Good Part
Conversations keep flowing so easily between the chef and the celebrities as they go hopping around the city to taste Korean delights. The food was the showstopper of this reality tv. Even though this is reality tv, the conversations were easier to get immersed in as a viewer and did not feel scripted at all. Jay Park and Loco were the first celebrities in the episodes followed by other big names in the Korean acting industry like Kim Hee-ae, volleyball heartthrob and Tv network producer- Kim Yeon koung, and Nam Yung Suk. The series was presented in a very homely and comforting manner, it did not glamourize anything but rather felt like the viewers were part of this journey along with the celebs involved. The chef knew his alcohol and how to keep the conversations flowing easily with everyone.
The Disappointing Factor
This is a reality tv that aims to highlight the Korean culture through the gastronomic journey Chef takes along with some celebs. The show does not feel scripted at all. So, there is no disappointing factor in this show, except for some shots of liquor cans that could have been edited out entirely
In-Depth Analysis
This show gained popularity due to how engrossed popular media is with Kpop music and fans have now ranged from delving not only into music but also other areas of Korean culture namely food, sports, actors, clothing, and skincare. The series already had a lot of popularity due to its focus on Korean food and stars like jay park and loco. Netflix did something different from the usual reality tv shows and this one was quite successful given how many people are interested in Korean culture due to the influence of kpop artists. The first episode with Loco and Jay Park having Samgyeopsal and grilled pork along with Soju really set the tone for the series and the chef kept the conversation going along by sharing stories- anecdotes etc. the setting is very casual, this is something we would do with our friends and family but now we get to see our favourite celebs do it, go on a gastronomic journey to small business and encourage the cultural value of Korean food. Paik Jong Won has accomplished a lot in his career as a chef and has 24 restaurant franchises. This was his first Netflix show but the not first time the chef has been in front of the camera for reality tv. He has previously hosted and been a judge on a variety of cooking shows and is a resident name in the country. What is refreshing about this series is that it aimed to show the cultural and traditional food of Korea and at the same time cast these actors on this gastronomic journey, who fit very easily with the setting and provided a very casual vibe to the whole thing. The conversations with these famous faces allowed Paik and the viewers some deep insight into the lives of the people cast. It’s the first reality tv show Netflix has done that showcases the Korean culture through food.
Star Power
Baek Jong Won, Jay Park, Loco, Kim Hee Ae, Han Jimin, Na Young Seok, and Kim Yeon Koung.
Overall Opinion
The series follows a very similar tone for all of its six episodes. If you are a fan of Korean food and cultural dishes then this might be the show for you. The chef goes into deep detail about all the food we see them consume along with liquor and conversations afloat. The celebs cast also shares stories that are very deep and at the same for the viewers, this is a learning experience to understand more about Korean food and delicacies.
