Jo Seo-hyung, refund crisis erupts... "Decided on 310,000 won refund due to surge in orders" [Street Fighter] [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

The full story behind Jo Seo-hyung's survival cancellation has been revealed.

According to Nielsen Korea, a ratings research company, the second episode of tvN's variety show "Street Restaurant Fighter," which aired on the 28th, recorded a national household peak rating of 3.1% and a Seoul metropolitan area household peak rating of 3.4%. The Seoul metropolitan area household rating ranked first among cable and general entertainment channels during the same time slot, and the Seoul metropolitan area target rating ranked first among all channels, including terrestrial broadcasters, during the same time slot. (Based on paid platforms integrating cable, IPTV, and satellite.)

Although the team achieved 1 million won in sales at record speed, the day ended with a survival cancellation for Jo Seo-hyung. As orders poured in beyond what could be handled, Jo made the decision to refund 310,000 won to protect customers' lunch hours. Consequently, the sales were deducted, leading to the cancellation of survival, and the competition returned to square one, forcing the 20th participating teams to continue an even more blood-pounding business survival.

In the chaotic Street Arena, the first to trigger an unexpected turn and secure survival was Choi Sang-hyun, the owner chef of the restaurant where "World Master Chef" and "Cooking Robot" Yoon Nam-no had worked. Although "The Source" faced a variable early on due to a malfunction in the ordering system, the resulting queue actually generated a customer attraction effect, transforming the restaurant into a must-visit spot for waiting. Ultimately, Choi Sang-hyun surged from 0 won in sales to first place overall through a perfect combination of fresh pasta and dessert.

Following closely, Im Gi-hak's "Bora Bora," led by the "French Master," overturned all expectations and secured the second spot on the survival list. Mocking the prejudice that fine dining chefs would be vulnerable in the fast-paced street business, Im Gi-hak displayed insane turnover rates, controlling service times so perfectly that not a single table waited more than six minutes, even in extreme situations where orders piled up, earning high praise. In contrast, Ko Seok-hyun's "Aeung-i," with annual sales of 10 billion won and known as the "sales bully," recorded the lowest sales due to spicy menu items and a hot interior concept that did not suit the sweltering weather. When Ko Seok-hyun late decided to lower prices, the restaurant faced its biggest crisis after receiving its first-ever one-star review from existing customers.

The fierce menu strategy showdown between the two Chinese cuisine masters also unfolded intensely. Yu Bang-nyeong's "Seonrin" initially captured the attention of early customers with new Chinese dishes that sparked curiosity, such as "Osaek Bibim Jjajang" (mixed-color cold mixed black bean noodles) and "Yotiaosha" (Membosha made from Chinese twisted dough bread), but many customers were flustered by the cold dishes. In contrast, Lee Yeon-bok's "Bokbok" bet on popular and familiar Chinese cuisine, overcoming the initial emptiness, breaking through 500,000 won in sales, and proving the terrifying power of familiar tastes, securing a verdict victory over Yu Bang-nyeong.

The sharp target analysis showdown between neighboring stores also heated up. Edward Kwon's "Masikdang," the number one target of the participants and a Western cuisine authority, surprised everyone by introducing Chinese menu items, defying expectations. The team bet on Kung Pao Chicken Rice Bowl and Chili Shrimp, targeting office workers who prefer quick meals. On the other hand, Hong Seok-cheon's "Gol," which was most frequently identified as the weakest link, showcased its potential for reversal by presenting pretty and healthy shrimp avocado tartare targeted at women. Hong Seok-cheon, who successfully targeted the preferences of female customers and broke through the 500,000 won mark first, demonstrated solid practical business skills and showed the distinct charm of targeted business.

After the lunch service ended, 18 teams that failed to reach 1 million won had to enter the cruel dinner service where survival and elimination hung in the balance. The result was so dire that even "Chef of Chefs" Edward Kwon sighed, saying, "I analyzed and analyzed again, but I felt we still have a long way to go." Then, another variable occurred. As office workers left the Street Arena after work, a large number of family customers with children flooded in, completely reversing the business district's dynamics by 180 degrees.

While most participants were flustered, Jo Seo-hyung was the only one to correctly identify that Sejong City is a business district where workplaces and residences are mixed, once again demonstrating a brilliant strategy. By planning children's menus in advance, boldly reducing the number of menu items, and thoroughly preparing food beforehand to shorten service times, Jo Seo-hyung compensated for the massive refund situation. As a result, Jo Seo-hyung finally secured the third spot on the survival list.

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*This content was translated by AI.