'Undercover Chef' Spin-off to Air This Year... "How Did Overseas Seniors React? They Were Amazed." [Interview ③]

*This content was translated by AI.

• tvN Variety Program 'Undercover Chef': Interview with PD Hong Jin-ju and Writer Yoon Al-eum

PD Hong Jin-ju and Writer Yoon Al-eum of 'Undercover Chef' revealed details about the upcoming spin-off program.

On the 4th, PD Hong Jin-ju and Writer Yoon Al-eum of tvN's variety program 'Undercover Chef' held a wrap-up commemorative interview at the CJ ENM Center in Sangam, Mapo-gu, Seoul.

Ending its run on the 23rd of last month after 10 episodes, 'Undercover Chef' is a program that follows chefs Sam Kim, Jung Ji-sun, and Kwon Sung-jun as they disguise themselves as junior staff at restaurants in Parma, Italy; Chengdu, China; and Naples, Italy, respectively, while concealing their identities to complete missions.

With a peak viewership rating of 6.2% (based on Nielsen Korea's national paid households) in the final episode, 'Undercover Chef' shattered its own records and concluded successfully. In response to viewers' love, the production has confirmed plans for a spin-off. The spin-off will feature chefs from each restaurant where Sam Kim, Jung Ji-sun, and Kwon Sung-jun went undercover as junior staff visiting Korea.

PD Hong stated, "All of the overseas senior (staff) members find our current situation and popularity fascinating. Since running a restaurant is their livelihood, closing the shop entirely to come here would be burdensome for them. While we are still discussing which members will visit and when, the program is scheduled to air sometime this year."

Writer Yoon added, "I heard that many Korean customers are visiting Italian restaurants these days. The three chefs have also grown very close with their restaurant seniors, so they are genuinely delighted by the warm reception."

Additionally, PD Hong expressed gratitude to viewers: "If I could, I would like to bow to every single viewer. When we started this program, there were many questions. Since it was a unique format never seen before, I wondered if this approach was right or even permissible. As someone who prefers certainty and maintaining the status quo, it was a grateful experience that taught me it's okay to take on challenges."

Continuing, he said, "I believe 'taste' can vary depending on the evaluator and the timing. In that context, removing their titles and approaching this program must not have been an easy decision. I am also deeply thankful to the three chefs—Sam Kim, Jung Ji-sun, and Kwon Sung-jun—for willingly participating."

Writer Yoon similarly shared, "This was a highly worrying project. After all, it's a show where Korean is barely heard. I worried whether viewers would even bother reading subtitles while watching variety shows these days, and what would happen if they couldn't focus. But seeing such overwhelming interest has made me truly grateful." He conveyed heartfelt thanks to the viewers who showed such passionate support.

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*This content was translated by AI.