"I prepared before 'Black and White Chef Lisa'..." Ahn Hyo-seop vs. Jang Yul, facing off as chefs [Final Table] [Comprehensive Report]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Final Table" presents a fresh drama that blends the entertainment elements of "Black and White Chef Lisa."

The production press conference for JTBC's weekend drama "Final Table" (screenplay and directed by Kim Do-hoon) was held on the 22nd at Seoul Link Hall, The Link Hotel, Gyeongin-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul. Director Kim Do-hoon, Ahn Hyo-seop, Hong Hwa-yeon, Jang Yul, and Jung Yu-jin attended.

"Final Table" is a drama depicting the spectacular food and remarkable stories of Korean chefs gathered from around the world for "The Table: K Chef 2026," a competition to select the best Korean chef.

In the drama, Ahn Hyo-seop plays Kang Han, a chef trying to save the restaurant Familia, which is on the verge of closing down, while Hong Hwa-yeon plays Choi Song-i, the owner of Familia. Jang Yul plays Cha Woo-jin, a strict and meticulous star chef, and Jung Yu-jin takes on the role of Seong Jeong-won, the CP (Chief Producer) who selects contestants for "The Table: K Chef 2026."

Regarding the directing process of "Final Table," Director Kim Do-hoon stated, "I have wanted to tell the stories of chefs for a long time. They carry many stories. Rather than elaborate and abundant dishes, I hope viewers will appreciate the humble and heartfelt meals prepared with care." The director added with a smile, "The actors practiced so hard that we eventually didn't need stand-in chefs."

The director said, "I had previously prepared a drama centered on cooking, but it did not work out due to timing. I personally had a lot of interest in cooking and thought about making a cooking drama during the pandemic."

He continued, "I didn't intend to write a full script; I only planned to write a synopsis. While working with a webtoon artist, I realized this was not a story that could be produced by studying for a short time. The production company needed to finalize casting, so they asked me to write just the first episode. I wrote it in one week, and then they asked for another. After that, the production company requested four episodes for casting purposes, and eventually asked me to write the rest."

He said, "I like cooking themes, so I have watched many domestic and overseas works. I wanted the way missions are given and the essence of the cooking to be different. Because the variety show format and drama format meet within the story, some viewers might find it confusing. It might feel tedious to some, but fresh to others."

Ahn Hyo-seop introduced his character Kang Han in "Final Table" by saying, "His personal history is strictly shrouded in mystery. When he briefly stops by Korea, he visits a restaurant called Familia, where he has memories with his father, and ends up participating in the cooking competition."

Ahn Hyo-seop said, "While playing a professional role, I thought I had to be flawless. I worked hard on knife skills, wok work, plating, and preparation. There were good references like 'Black and White Chef Lisa' and 'MasterChef Korea,' and I tried to show their composure." He added, "Cha Woo-jin is very detailed. Kang Han tries to put meaning and sincerity into his cooking."

Hong Hwa-yeon explained her character Choi Song-i by saying, "She enters the competition to save our restaurant, which is on the brink of closing down." She continued, "I have appeared in cooking-related dramas before, but at that time I played a chef. This time, the character was attractive because it allowed me to show gradual growth. I will show Song-i's kind, diligent, and righteous side."

Jang Yul revealed his efforts to perform cooking scenes in "Final Table" by stating, "I took lessons every day and practiced knife skills and wok work. I realized how difficult it is to handle tools after a chef's lifetime of effort." He added with a smile, "I practiced chopping onions, carrots, julienne cuts, and push cuts. I am confident in preparing ingredients."

What was the chemistry between Ahn Hyo-seop and Jang Yul like? Jang Yul said with a smile, "Actor Ahn Hyo-seop is so gentle on set that I felt at ease and found myself laughing. On the other hand, it was really hard to act." Ahn Hyo-seop expressed an unexpected difficulty, saying, "Senior Jang Yul has to grab my collar in the drama, but when we meet on set, he is very considerate and smiles broadly."

Regarding presenting a weekend drama in a fiercely competitive landscape, Director Kim confessed, "It feels burdensome. Doing both the screenplay and directing makes me feel exposed. I earnestly hope it will be of some help to the channel."

When asked if he was confident in beating "Black and White Chef Lisa," he said, "I think what matters is not winning or losing, but what kind of cooking we create. I started before 'Black and White Chef Lisa,' so comparisons feel burdensome. 'Black and White Chef Lisa' has upgraded the Korean gourmet and chef genre, which will allow our drama to approach viewers more easily. Please enjoy our drama for what it is."

If "Final Table" were expressed as a taste, what would it be? Director Kim compared it to "a deep broth simmered for a long time." Ahn Hyo-seop said, "It's like Janchi Guksu (celebration noodles). When I was young, my mother prepared the noodles and broth separately, and I often ate alone after coming home from school. Our drama is like a warm meal from a mother. It may not be flashy, but it feels like a mother's care. I hope that after watching our work, someone will think of a person and feel like they want to share a meal with them."

Hong Hwa-yeon said, "I would like to compare it concisely to the taste of salt. Song-i has a salty flavor," while Jang Yul said, "It tastes like caramel popcorn. There is so much to see that it would be good to eat popcorn while watching." Jung Yu-jin added, "It's like bibimbap. Ingredients with different aromas and flavors come together in perfect harmony."

"Final Table" will air its first episode at 10:40 p.m. on the 24th. It can be watched domestically on Disney+ and overseas on Amazon Prime Video.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original