With many young Koreans trying to find their place within Korean society, the fiery TV show Culinary Class Wars has taken Korea and Netflix by storm! Is this show more than entertainment? We find out!
Young Koreans have been having a hard time as of late, competing for jobs, body image and their place within Korean society. The Netflix show Culinary Class Wars is no different, as it showcases contestants from various backgrounds and beliefs all competing for the same end goal, and it has no signs of slowing down.
In fact, the shows popularity has transcended borders, with the Netflix show ranking as the most-watched non-English series globally for two consecutive weeks since its release on Sept. 17th! It has gained particular traction in Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with growing numbers coming from the UK and the US.
So what is the concept of the show?
100 renowned chefs and undiscovered talents go head to head in a culinary battle, and the winner will take home a whopping 300 million won (KRW) which is 222,000 USD! The show is judged by the esteemed Paik Jong Won and Chef Anh Sung Jae, which both look for the ultimate yet creative dishes from the contestants.
Captivated viewers have taken to social media to express their view and predictions on the show, and stating that this show REALLY IS worth your time!
How are the contestants divided?
Although the show is titled Culinary Class Wars it is not about rich versus poor contestants. In fact, the 'unknown' chefs are the black spoons and they are given nicknames during the show instead of using their actual names. That said, some of the black spoons are well-known and therefore recognized by others from other cooking competitions, but this show is anyone's game.
There also white spoons, which have gained fame and worldwide acclaim or they are already established chefs in the industry. The divide of black and white spoons is a more fair way to divide the contestants into groups.
So what has happened in the show so far?
So far in this dramatic series, it has been compared at times to have the same tension as
Squid Game due to the shifting-alliances instability to its cooking-competition format, but this isn’t a series interested in theory or chance. Culinary Class Wars is about individual glory, and its political framing is merely a grabby front. And yet, It’s a blast because what Culinary Class Wars actually pulls off is the total shake-up of a stale genre of TV cooking shows.
Black and White spoons have gone head to head on a number of challenges, and by doing so they have made viewers mouths water at home.
During much of the first half hour of the first few episodes, no cooking occurs; the 80 chefs file in and chat with each other, then the 20 White Spoon chefs are individually introduced, then all the rules are laid out. It’s all done in an over-the-top manner like it’s a sporting event, but it made us antsy to actually see the Black Spoon group cooking.
After that, though, the show proceeds like an extra-large Quickfire Challenge. The producers do a good job of highlighting certain chefs as the judges eliminate them or move them on to the final 20 Black Spoon contestants. But, given the fact that this is only half of the 80 that will be winnowed down to 20, we’re wondering how monotonous finding the 20 Black Spoons that will go up against the White Spoons is going to get.
The show has been since dwindled down to the final eight contestants, so it really is anyone's game. Who has the best culinary skills?
Fans of the show have also taken to Reddit, to express their opinion of the show. Let's check one of them out.
Culinary Class Wars has even led some fans in the US to crave Korean food, and rightly so. @eatingwithkirby and @elysiumkoreanbistro recently collaborated on this Instagram reel, showcasing some delicious Korean food. Let's check it out!
This is why Culinary Class Wars stands out!
Overall, this show has been a standout competition due to it's unique blend of talent and cultural diversity which has kept the chefs and judges on their feet throughout the competition. The show has been a HOT topic in Korea as it showcases competition and food which are two things that Koreans love.
Have you tuned in to watch this juicy show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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