Kihyun of MONSTA X, who shares the same agency, Starship Entertainment, with Jang Wonyoung, received harsh criticism for his culinary creation.
On the 23rd, the sixth episode of T-Cast E Channel's 'Ryu Student Eonam Sun' aired, featuring Ryu Su-young and Yoon Kyung-ho exploring the 'wild' of Brunei. The duo ventured out after hearing about wild monkeys and crocodiles but were met with a quiet village scene. The two actors, known for their acting prowess, humorously reenacted a scene of being bitten by a crocodile to entertain themselves. Yoon Kyung-ho praised Ryu Su-young, saying, "He's so cute and shy, but once in the kitchen, he becomes formidable." Ryu Su-young jokingly referred to himself as "the tyrant of a one-pyeong kitchen," while Yoon Kyung-ho dubbed him the "kitchen general."
The trio, Ryu Su-young, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Kihyun, visited a 'halal food' restaurant in Brunei, where Islam is the state religion. Due to religious reasons, pork is prohibited, and the local cuisine focuses on beef and seafood. The trio anticipated a 'rice thief' experience with dishes like 'Rendang' made from beef brisket, slipper lobster, and freshwater shrimp. However, it was the tofu dish that captivated their taste buds. The crispy garlic-topped tofu inspired Yoon Kyung-ho to say, "I want to learn this recipe for my kids," eyeing the 'Crispy Soya Bean' recipe.
After their culinary exploration, the trio headed to Brunei's largest fish market. The fresh seafood caught near the coast excited 'kitchen general' Ryu Su-young, who eagerly purchased a variety of fresh ingredients with the help of his companions and returned to their accommodation triumphantly.
Kihyun attempted a challenging crepe cake with 'pandan,' a beloved local ingredient. Meanwhile, Yoon Kyung-ho prepared 'Buljingse,' a dish of squid and shrimp stir-fried with sambal sauce. During this, Kihyun confessed to Yoon Kyung-ho, "I really liked 'The Rustic Era.' I didn't know you were in it, but after hearing you were, I watched it again," creating a warm moment. Yoon Kyung-ho was surprised, saying, "You wouldn't recognize me," and shared his early acting experiences.
Yoon Kyung-ho, who debuted in the 2002 Korean hit 'The Rustic Era,' shared an episode where he was scolded for his realistic portrayal of a Japanese officer leading independence fighters. Kihyun also reminisced about his 2014 survival program experience, showcasing his main vocal skills by singing 'Pillow,' a song that topped the Melon charts, revealing his youthful charm.
Inspired by the crispy tofu, Ryu Su-young planned a 'Sweet and Salty Seasoned Sea Bass' by frying fresh sea bass and topping it with garlic flakes. However, the garlic flakes turned bitter, leading Ryu Su-young to say, "Let's discard it. This is not the time to laugh and chat," sweating over the potential failure. He quickly replaced the garlic flakes with breadcrumbs, showcasing his culinary prowess as 'RyuGPT.' Ryu Su-young's 'Sweet and Salty Seasoned Sea Bass' and Yoon Kyung-ho's 'Buljingse' received praise. Yoon Kyung-ho, self-proclaimed 'Ryu Su-young sniper,' jokingly said, "I'm annoyed, really..." while praising the dish.
Finally, Kihyun presented his 'Pandan Crepe Cake' from the fridge. The cake, firm with cocoa powder, looked promising but was too firm and lacked sweetness, leading to disappointment. Kihyun admitted, "I thought I was using too much sugar lately, so I used the exact amount... It feels like eating fish cake instead of crepe." To make matters worse, honey dripped over the cocoa powder, creating a 'waterproof cake' that brought laughter. The production team humorously described Kihyun's cake as tasting like an 'eraser,' causing an uproar.
The unique 'Ryu Student Recipes' developed by Ryu Su-young, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Kihyun in Brunei are coming to Hyundai Department Store in Pangyo. From June 21st (Saturday) to June 29th (Sunday), the 'Ryu Student Eonam Sun' pop-up store will offer various goods and the menu featured on the show.
Lee So-jung, Ten Asia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr