Choi Kang-rok, the winner of Netflix's reality show 'Black and White Chef 2', has opened up about the six-month period of silence he endured from the competition to the final broadcast.
On October 26, the YouTube channel 'Jjanhyung Shin Dong-yup' released a video titled 'Pretending to Be Silent Choi Kang-rok Yoon Na-ra Choi Yoo-gang [Jjanhyung EP.129]'.
Chef Choi shared his life after the 'Black and White Chef 2' competition. He stated, "I knew the results, but I couldn't tell anyone until it was officially announced," adding, "It wasn't that I didn't want to talk, I simply couldn't."
Choi found himself in awkward situations when faced with questions. "Customers would come to the restaurant and ask about the show or the results," he explained. "I had to pretend not to know, even though I did," he continued, admitting that he constantly held back his true feelings.
He couldn't even share the secret with his family. "My schedule changed due to filming and broadcasting, but I couldn't explain why," Choi revealed. "My family was puzzled, and misunderstandings arose," he confessed. He only told his daughter about his victory after the finale aired, prompting host Shin Dong-yup to jokingly call him a "tough dad."
Choi admitted, "I could finally breathe once the results were out." However, instead of basking in his victory, he chose to remain cautious. "I think sudden attention can make a person lose their footing," he said, adding, "I became more careful not to get carried away."
He also spoke about the changes in his life post-show. "I've received many offers and contacts, but I'm pacing myself," Choi stated. "Ultimately, my place is in the kitchen, in front of my customers," he emphasized. "Winning doesn't mean I've become someone else," he insisted.
Choi also discussed the message behind his final dish. "Rather than a special dish, I wanted to capture a moment that comforts me," he said. "If that emotion was conveyed, that's enough," he concluded.
In closing, Choi expressed, "I'm returning to my usual routine," and added, "After enduring in silence, I want to respond with my cooking."
By Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr