Choi Tae-seong's "Bold Attempt": Yang Sang-guk, Shin Gil-ru, and Ji Ye-eun Deliver Their Worth in 'What Did the King Eat?' [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Led by instructor Choi Tae-seong, Yang Sang-guk, Shin Gil-ru, and Ji Ye-eun share stories of history and food.

On the afternoon of the 14th, a press conference for the TV Chosun entertainment program "What Did the King Eat?" was held at Samsung IT Valley in Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by Korean history instructor Choi Tae-seong, comedians Yang Sang-guk and Shin Gil-ru, and actress Ji Ye-eun.

"What Did the King Eat?" is a lively talk show that presents a "delicious history book" filled with surprising stories hidden in the meals of 27 Joseon dynasty kings — from royal-grade nourishing dishes to forbidden delicacies that shook entire eras. The program aired for the first time on the 8th.

On this day, Choi Tae-seong explained the program's concept: "I want to blend food, history, and storytelling well by exploring what the king actually ate and examining his dining table."

Regarding why he appeared in an entertainment program for the first time, Choi stated, "In the past, I often declined entertainment offers because they felt unnatural to me. I wondered if I had only ever conveyed history in a heavy way through my own fixed perceptions. With Yang Sang-guk, Shin Gil-ru, and Ji Ye-eun, I wanted to present something lighter and more fun. This marks my first bold attempt."

He also remarked, "Even celebrities known for their sharp tongues in South Korea shut up when they meet me. They seem to feel a burden about discussing history. However, Yang Sang-guk surprisingly knows quite a bit about history. It's a new discovery about Yang Sang-guk." He praised the cast with these words.

Hearing this, Shin Gil-ru said, "It's true that I've become very cautious about speaking because history must not be distorted. Even if the production team edits it, saying something wrong could send me into ruin or lead to immediate news reports."

The cast was asked what dish they had ever tasted that was the most delicious. Yang Sang-guk replied, "What stands out in my memory is rooster testicles. They weren't as greasy as I expected. Perhaps because the chef cooked them well, I enjoyed them thoroughly."

Shin Gil-ru said, "I think modern food suits me well these days," but added, "The subtle dishes eaten by King Sejong suited me particularly well." Ji Ye-eun smiled and said, "I love meat, so meat dishes were the most delicious for me."

Choi Tae-seong repeatedly expressed great satisfaction with the combination of Yang Sang-guk, Shin Gil-ru, and Ji Ye-eun. He praised them by saying, "Now I understand why these three receive appearance fees. So many funny lines come to mind that aren't in my head. Their reason for being paid is completely understandable." In response, Shin Gil-ru joked, "Of course we receive appearance fees," which drew laughter from everyone.

Responding to Choi Tae-seong's comments, Yang Sang-guk said, "I don't know history very well, but I've always been interested. However, Teacher Choi Tae-seong explains things so easily."

In contrast, Shin Gil-ru revealed his true feelings: "The first recording session was a bit boring because I had to listen to things I wasn't curious about. There are probably many people like me who know nothing about history at all. The reason I'm here in this program is that someone like me can learn fun facts and gradually become interested. Having such a program among my works doesn't look bad, so I decided to participate."

Choi Tae-seong smiled and said, "If Yang Sang-guk feels like the lubricant of our program, then Shin Gil-ru is the real deal when it comes to taste. He knows food information like an expert — even things I didn't know. And Ji Ye-eun plays the role of best matching the audience's level of curiosity. This combination is truly excellent."

Yang Sang-guk also shared his thoughts on returning to a regular entertainment program after ten years. He said, "I am doing my best in my first regular entertainment show. During a recent recording, the studio was extremely hot. Although everyone complained about dying from the heat, I remained silent. When given an opportunity, I will do my utmost."

The cast also mentioned people they would like to share food with. Ji Ye-eun answered, "My beloved grandmother." Shin Gil-ru said, "I want to teach my chubby friends Hong Yoon-hwa, Pungja, and Kim Min-kyung how to cook." Yang Sang-guk remarked, "Among Teacher Choi's words, there was one about the king saying that daytime matters are important, but nighttime matters are also important. That line keeps coming to mind. I want to treat my beloved friends with the king's dining table."

Finally, they expressed their ambitious goals. Choi Tae-seong stated, "We will strive to make this program a great success so that ordinary people can experience the king's dining table through tangible results."

Ji Ye-eun added, "You can easily learn about food and history, so it will remain fun in the future. Please watch us often." Shin Gil-ru shared his wish: "This program offers many healthy meals that aren't heavy. It should also help with dieting. Isn't there no nation without history? I hope viewers learn along with us."

Meanwhile, "What Did the King Eat?" airs every Wednesday at 10 p.m.

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*This content was translated by AI.