The story of Chef Lee Ha-sung, known as the 'Culinary Monster', featured in Netflix's 'Black and White Chef' Season 2, has been unveiled. Previously, Lee Ha-sung faced criticism for his confident character on 'Black and White Chef 2'.
On February 19, the episode titled 'The Korean Chef Part 2: Crossing Boundaries' aired, offering an in-depth look at the Korean chefs who are reshaping the culinary landscape in New York, leaving a profound impact on viewers.
The episode highlighted the stories of Chef Park Jung-hyun of 'Atomix' and Chef Shin Chang-ho of 'Jua', who are redefining the value of Korean cuisine in Manhattan, a global culinary battleground. Following in their footsteps is the next-generation leader, Chef Lee Ha-sung, the 'Culinary Monster'.
The first spotlight was on 'Atomix', currently one of the hardest restaurants to book in New York. Atomix clinched the top spot in the 2025 North America 50 Best Restaurants Awards, earning the title of the best restaurant in North America. It also ranked 6th globally, showcasing its unique status as reservations sell out instantly despite the high cost of 600,000 KRW per meal.
Chef Park Jung-hyun presents innovative dishes like 'Lobster with Nuruk Sauce and Gochujang Foam', reinterpreting the aesthetics of Korean fermentation in a modern way. Each course is accompanied by a 'menu card' that lists Korean ingredients in their original Korean pronunciation, emphasizing Korean identity. Park Jung-eun, the representative, stated, “Language has great power. We believed it was necessary to introduce Korean cuisine to our guests,” conveying their sincere effort to share culture beyond food.
The broadcast also captured the bold yet remarkable challenge of Chef Shin Chang-ho, who left behind the honor of a Michelin two-star in Korea to venture to New York. At the age of 45, he dismantled his stable foundation in Seoul to open 'Jua' in a building in Manhattan's Koreatown.
Branding Director Kim Hye-jun and Chef Park Jung-hyun, among other experts, expressed respect for his challenge, stating, “It takes immense respect for someone at the peak to start from scratch again.” Chef Shin demonstrated uncompromising perfectionism, personally handling everything from broth preparation to ingredient processing, and reclaimed the Michelin two-star status just 14 months after his debut.
Amidst the journeys of these masters, Chef Lee Ha-sung, known as the 'Culinary Monster' from 'Black and White Chef 2', stood out. His growth began with rigorous training at 'The French Laundry', one of the world's top restaurants. His relentless passion caught the attention of CEO Lee Ki-hyun, who recalled, “Watching him work at The French Laundry, I felt compelled to invest in him,” highlighting his exceptional determination.
What sustained Chef Lee Ha-sung was the strong bond with senior masters. His reunion with Chef Shin Chang-ho in New York showcased a deep camaraderie as colleagues and industry peers. The sight of Chef Shin starting anew from the ground up was a significant inspiration for Chef Lee, and their encounter symbolized a generational shift and expansion in Korean culinary excellence.
SBS's 'The Korean Chef' concluded successfully, showcasing the profound camaraderie of chefs who support and push each other beyond boundaries, proving why Korean cuisine has become one of the most powerful cultural contents worldwide.
Kim Se-a, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr