Paco takes on the pinnacle of traditional Korean cuisine, Hanjeongsik.
In the 422nd episode of MBC Every1's variety show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?', airing at 8:30 PM on the 2nd, French trio Paco, Max, and Jamil arrive in Jeonju to experience the 'taste of tradition' at a Korean restaurant exuding traditional beauty from the entrance.
Upon arriving in Jeonju, Paco and his friends head straight to a Korean restaurant as their first stop. They are momentarily surprised by the legless seating chairs, but soon they explore the restaurant's mother-of-pearl cabinets and ondol heating system as if they were in a museum. True to their roots from the artistic nation of France, they engage in an in-depth discussion about Korean traditional aesthetics.
Witnessing the impressive 'table delivery' where servers bring in the entire table, Paco exclaims, “It feels like we've entered a royal era,” enjoying the feeling of being a king. Overwhelmed by the grandeur of the 25-dish spread, Paco even declares, “I don't want to go back to France! I want to live in Korea,” expressing his desire to stay.
As the meal begins, the friends showcase their unique eating styles. 'Food Professor' Max impresses even MC Kim Jun-hyun with his extraordinary eating display. Max reportedly discovers a 'life-changing dish' that he pledges lifelong loyalty to, raising anticipation. Even Jamil, familiar with Korean cuisine from his part-time job experience, is in awe of the depth of Jeonju's Hanjeongsik, giving it a thumbs up.
However, the peaceful meal is briefly interrupted by the formidable 'Hongeo Samhap' challenge. Paco, undaunted, takes on the challenge, remarking, “It feels like something is coming up through my nose,” creating tension at the scene. The anticipation builds to see if Paco can successfully conquer the Hongeo Samhap, a dish even challenging for Koreans.
Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr