Cha Seung-won of tvN's 'Cha Family' has boldly shifted gears from sauce research to launching a new kimchi business.
In the seventh episode of the real gangster sitcom 'Cha Family,' aired on the 19th, the Cha Family's struggles during their business trip to Japan were showcased, marking the beginning of a new venture.
The Cha Family traveled to Tokyo in search of a new spicy kick, visiting a mysterious location that turned out to be an omakase restaurant run by Choo Sung-hoon's brother-in-law. Choo had arranged the meeting by reaching out to his brother-in-law, a Japanese culinary expert. The team explored various Japanese spices, from wasabi and grated radish to yuzu kosho and sansho powder, with Danny Koo expressing admiration for the pure expression of spiciness.
A surprise birthday event for Tommy was also held, with a cake and a heartfelt gift of sneakers from boss Cha Seung-won, who had secretly prepared it since morning. Tommy was touched by the warm message, "It's great to be together," showcasing the team's strong bond.
On the last night in Japan, Choo Sung-hoon and Danny Koo delved into sauce research using three global hot sauces but struggled to find a breakthrough. Cha Seung-won, who prefers straightforward spicy flavors like those in Korean cuisine, found himself increasingly frustrated. Unlike their trip to Thailand, where ideas flowed freely, inspiration was hard to come by, leading Cha to conclude, "Sauce isn't going to work."
Amidst continuous setbacks, Cha Seung-won proposed a completely new direction: starting a kimchi business. Without informing his second-in-command, Choo Sung-hoon, he teamed up with his close associates DinDin and Danny Koo to find a partner company. After reporting the results of their overseas trip, Cha declared kimchi as the Cha Family's new venture, showing his firm resolve. Though surprised, his associates quickly supported the idea, highlighting kimchi's potential in the global market.
Cha Seung-won decided to make kimchi himself in the kitchen, transforming into a researcher and creating his signature kimchi seasoning without measurements. DinDin, experienced in kimchi-making, and first-timer Danny Koo assisted him. While Cha was away, his associates playfully added extra seasoning, dreaming of a "perfect crime," bringing laughter to the scene.
The Cha Family's final business trip destination was Busan. Dressed sharply, Cha Seung-won met with Choo Sung-hoon and Tommy to board the KTX. Their spicy chemistry continued to entertain during the journey. Notably, Cha Seung-won was announced as a guest on Choo Sung-hoon's YouTube channel, which boasts 2 million subscribers. It was also revealed that Choo was secretly working on a business with his 'Choo-basco Sauce' from Thailand, adding tension to the story. Cha Seung-won showed a mix of jealousy and determination for his new venture.
Joined by DinDin, their first stop was a tripe restaurant, a nostalgic favorite of Choo Sung-hoon from his judo days in Busan, known for bringing him to tears. Cha Seung-won expressed a strong desire to visit, calling it a "turning point" for Choo's YouTube channel. Upon tasting the tripe, Cha praised it highly, and DinDin marveled at the unique flavor, different from any tripe he'd had before. Choo Sung-hoon couldn't hide his pride.
The episode concluded with the Cha Family taking their first steps in developing personal kimchi, setting the stage for their new business venture. tvN's 'Cha Family' airs every Thursday, showcasing the real spicy sitcom of the gangster family aiming for a life-changing success.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr