《Kim Ji-won’s Net Reason》
‘Seojin’s’ employees who had no days off were exhausted.
V complains about “fraudulent contract” and Choi Woo-sik: “It’s harder than ‘Yoon Stay’”
Focus on increasing sales → Need for healing that the past ‘Restaurant Series’ provided
‘Seojin’s’ employees who had no days off were exhausted.
V complains about “fraudulent contract” and Choi Woo-sik: “It’s harder than ‘Yoon Stay’”
Focus on increasing sales → Need for healing that the past ‘Restaurant Series’ provided
《Kim Ji-won’s Net Reason》
Reporter Kim Ji-won of Ten Asia picks out only the essentials from OTT platforms such as Netflix and TVING, which are filled with tons of content. From must-see masterpieces to highly anticipated new works, we recommend works that you can enjoy in the first row of your room.
As tvN's 'Seojin's', a restaurant management entertainment show, focuses only on 'restaurant operation', its popularity is falling short of previous restaurant series. Some viewers say they get tired while watching 'Seojin's,' which focuses on sales. BTS's V is protecting the Maginot line in viewership ratings of 'Seojin's', which has become lacking in healing.
'Seojin', which started last February, has achieved decent ratings of 8.8% for the first episode (Nielsen Korea nationwide standard), 9.3% for the second episode, 8.4% for the third episode, and 8.6% for the fourth episode. The reason why Na Young-seok's restaurant series attracted so much anticipation was because of the change in the 'restaurant workforce composition'. Lee Seo-jin, a former director of 'Youn's Restaurant', was promoted to president, and global star V joined as a new intern.
Looking at the viewer ratings of 'Seojin's', it can be said to be a meaningful achievement, but when compared to the 'Youn's Kitchen' series, it is a disappointing result. 'Youn's Kitchen 1', in which Yoon Yeo-jeong was the restaurant owner, had the highest viewership rating of 14.1%, and 'Youn's Kitchen 2' had 16.0%. In particular, 'Youn's Kitchen 2' recorded the lowest viewership rating of 8.5%, which is very similar to the current viewership rating of 'Seojin's'. 'Youn's Stay', a spin-off of 'Youn's Kitchen', also had the highest viewership rating of 11.6%.
According to the topicality ranking announced by Good Data Corporation, during the four weeks of airing, 'Seojin's' ranked 3rd, 4th, 3rd, and 4th in the non-drama TV topicality category. However, V was the only one whose name was ranked in the top 10 for non-drama actors for 4 weeks in terms of topicality. It is interpreted that V has secured a certain number of regular viewers thanks to his passionate global fan base. It is the foundation that maintains the Maginot Line of ‘Seojin’s’ ‘acceptable’ viewership ratings.
Compared to previous restaurant series, 'Seojin's' focuses more on sales and competition rather than healing and relaxation. Employees who worked all day on the broadcast gathered in the kitchen and expressed their difficulties. V had a hard time saying, “I’m going to Korea. This is a fraudulent contract.” Choi Woo-sik complained, “Why does it seem more difficult than ‘Yoon Stay’?”
Seojin Lee, who had been adhering to the ‘no union’ and ‘no holidays’ policy, finally gave exhausted employees a day off. However, the next day, Seojin Lee was nervous about sales again. When the production crew asked, “What do you think today will be like?” Lee Seo-jin expressed his discomfort. I was in denial, angry, and depressed. In addition, they were disappointed to hear that V drank one more glass of fruit juice than the number of fruit juices released as a new menu item.
Na Young-seok-pyo’s restaurant series offered passion rather than greed and healing rather than competition. It was heartwarming to see the performers serving the guests with sincerity even though they were clumsy. I want to bring back healing entertainment that combines travel and gourmet food.‘Spanish Boarding’ (2019) | Teabing
'Spanish Boarding' is about operating a lodging facility in a village in the middle of the pilgrimage route to Santiago, Spain, and providing hospitality to pilgrims. Actors Cha Seung-won, Yoo Hae-jin, and Bae Jeong-nam appeared. Cha Seung-won was in charge of cooking, and Yoo Hae-jin was in charge of overall facility and cleaning operations. Bae Jeong-nam helped his two older brothers with errands, washing dishes, etc.
Cha Seung-won energized the tired pilgrims with delicious home-cooked meals, while Yoo Hae-jin guided the pilgrims and provided them with a place to sleep, allowing them to rest comfortably. Bae Jeong-nam was clumsy but did his best, drawing cheers. The sight of the three people doing their best for even one guest who arrived late at night warmed my heart. The scenery of a small European village also provided simple and cute enjoyment.‘Alone at this restaurant’ (2020) | Teabing
If there is Kang Ho-dong's 'Kang's Restaurant', there is also Lee Soo-geun's 'Lee Restaurant'. 'Alone at This Restaurant' is a program implemented by the YouTube channel 'Channel Fifteen Nights' in lieu of a pledge to send Lee Soo-geun and Eun Ji-won to the moon when the number of subscribers exceeds 1 million.
Previously, Lee Soo-geun worked as a daily wage earner at 'Kang's Restaurant', taking care of odd jobs, including serving tables, washing dishes, and helping in the kitchen. In 'Restaurant Alone', Lee Soo-geun is the owner of a restaurant in the mountains of Gangwon-do, but he works alone because he has no employees. If there's a part-timer, it's PD Na Young-seok, known as 'Nano'. Due to a lack of manpower, you can also see customers recommending ‘self-service’. Lee Soo-geun provides a little fun, such as watching him cook rice in a cauldron and chat with guests in the mountains of Gangwon-do.‘Yoon Stay’ (2021) | Teabing
'Yoon Stay' is a hanok experience reality that offers time to taste refined Korean food, enjoy various pleasures, and feel the romance of an old house in a hanok where time and nature are in harmony. It was aimed at foreign guests staying in Korea.
The members of 'Yoon Stay' were CEO Yoon Yeo-jeong, and the existing 'Youn's Restaurant' members Lee Seo-jin, Jung Yu-mi, and Park Seo-jun were newly joined by Choi Woo-sik. Initially, the production team planned to film the sequel to 'Youn's Kitchen' overseas, but changed their plans due to COVID-19. Yun Yeo-jeong greets guests with hearty food, a gentle smile, and great manners. Even though it is physically difficult, they treat their guests with care. General manager Lee Seo-jin, chef Jeong Yu-mi, sous chef Park Seo-joon, and all-round intern Choi Woo-sik, from greeting guests to food, the four people work well together. We introduced Korea to foreign guests by allowing them to experience Korean food, old houses, and culture. They also delivered a sense of relaxation to viewers through their appearances.
Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr