MBN's K-Bakery survival show 'Cheonha Jeppang' has plummeted to a 0% viewership rating.
The 9th episode, aired on the 29th, marked the first step in the emergence of a 'K-Bread' leader set to revolutionize the global baking scene. It featured the results of the 'Finals Round 1', an epic collaboration mission with Korea's top chefs. The episode showcased a grand feast of 'one-meal bread' from various cuisines including Korean, Japanese, Chinese, French, and Thai. However, it recorded a viewership rating of just 0.9%, the lowest in its history.
The episode featured the 'Semifinal' TOP7 contestants - Hwang Ji-oh, Lee Kyung-moo, Kim Jin-seo, Kim Si-yeop, Sung Min-soo, Yoon Hwa-young, and Joo Young-seok - teaming up with Korea's top chefs Hwang Jin-sun, Ahn Yoo-sung, Kim Yoo-ah, Lee Seung-jun, Lee Won-il, Oh Se-deuk, and Jo Seo-hyung to create 'one-meal bread' from various cuisines. The 'Finals Round 1' was conducted over 200 minutes, divided into a first half with only the TOP7 and a second half with the chefs joining in.
Sung Min-soo, who teamed up with Korean chef Lee Won-il, chose a 'Rice Thief' concept, creating bread filled with crab mousse and fried crab meat soufflé, drawing both anticipation and concern from the masters. Joo Young-seok, paired with Korean chef Jo Seo-hyung, used a 'Dining Table' concept, incorporating earthenware and various herbs, and creatively used scorched rice in the dough. Kim Jin-seo, partnered with Thai chef Kim Yoo-ah, crafted a 'Poo Phat Bread Curry' inspired by Thai dish 'Poo Phat Pong Curry', impressing the masters with a 'Crab Shell Pastry' that boasted 200% synchronization in color and shape.
Kim Si-yeop, teamed with French chef Lee Seung-jun, shared that his mother is a haenyeo (female diver), leading to a concept centered around 'Mother Haenyeo'. He created bread with dough representing basalt and filled with cream cheese using Jeju's green onions, capturing memories with his mother. Hwang Ji-oh, paired with Chinese chef Hwang Jin-sun, infused his bread with Chinese flavors, crafting dough rich in scallion aroma and creating a silicone mold resembling a chicken to homage Peking duck.
After the first half, all chefs except Lee Won-il joined in. They compensated for the contestants' oversights and showcased dazzling performances with Chinese cleavers, woks, and Japanese knives, leaving the masters in awe.
Jo Seo-hyung demonstrated quick thinking by replacing soggy bamboo shoots with a sweet corn butter spread for Joo Young-seok's dish. Kim Yoo-ah, teamed with Kim Jin-seo, enhanced flavors with soft shell crab, curry, and crab stock, using lemongrass, garlic, coriander, shallots, and galangal for a Thai aroma. Lee Seung-jun, paired with Kim Si-yeop, created a French-style soup velouté with Jeju green onions and a French-style meatball 'Blette' with Jeju black pork extract, raising expectations.
Yoon Hwa-young and French chef duo Oh Se-deuk showcased seamless teamwork, quickly addressing a salty bisque sauce issue. Hwang Ji-sun, paired with Hwang Ji-oh, recreated the taste of 'Woondu Baozi', a local dish from China's Shandong region, and assisted Hwang Ji-oh in the final moments. Ahn Yoo-sung, teamed with Lee Kyung-moo, expertly prepared cod, grilled eel, king crab, Dokdo shrimp, and Japanese-style rolled omelet for Lee's sushi-shaped bread.
Following the 'Finals Round 1', the judging results were revealed. Sung Min-soo, scoring 505 out of 600, ranked 7th with his 'Seasoned Crab Soufflé', praised for creativity but criticized for soggy dough. Kim Jin-seo, scoring 520, ranked 6th, amused judges with crab shell-shaped pastry but faced disappointment over undercooked dough. Joo Young-seok, scoring 527, ranked 5th, praised for his idea of baking focaccia in a stone pot but criticized for inconvenience in eating. Hwang Ji-oh, scoring 532, ranked 4th, received praise for a perfect balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat in his 'Hwang's Bread Chicken', but faced criticism for underbaking. Yoon Hwa-young, scoring 538, ranked 3rd, was recognized for ingredient combination in 'Seasonal Black Truffle Lobster Vol-au-vent', but received feedback for lack of surprise in taste.
With rankings from 7th to 3rd announced, anticipation rose as the top contenders 'Dessert Macho' Lee Kyung-moo and 'Jeju Blue Ribbon Rich' Kim Si-yeop were revealed, but the winner remained undisclosed. Viewers are eager to see who will claim the 'Finals Round 1' victory and who will be crowned the 'Cheonha Jeil Jeppang King' next week.
Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr