ENTERTAINMENT
Chef Kim Sung-woon Reflects on His Journey in Netflix's 'Black and White Chef 2'
Recently, we caught up with Chef Kim at Table Four Four in Hannam-dong, Seoul, where he shared insights from his time on the show. As a contestant representing the 'white spoon' team, Kim finished in a commendable joint 8th place. He leads the Italian restaurant 'Table Four Four' and the Korean pub 'Pocha Four Four', where he showcases his identity as a 'Taean native' through dishes featuring seasonal seafood and local ingredients. On 'Black and White Chef 2', Kim's focus on regional ingredients and authentic flavors brought a genuine touch to the show's reality.
Reflecting on his journey, Kim recalled the team mission centered around Taean's blue crabs and the intense 1-on-1 survival battle that followed. Meeting Chef Choi Kang-rok for the first time, Kim noted, "I had heard of Choi Kang-rok but had never met him until the show."
For the team challenge, the duo chose Taean blue crabs as their main ingredient. Kim explained, "The filming took place in May, a time when blue crabs are abundant in Taean. It was a natural choice." This collaboration resulted in a fusion of Choi's Japanese style and Kim's Italian style.
The teamwork flowed naturally, but the dynamics shifted dramatically when they had to compete against each other in a survival match. Kim shared, "We grew close during the team challenge, especially since we're the same age. But I understood it was a survival show."
Kim admitted, "Honestly, I felt like stopping there." The pressure of the competition weighed heavily on him. "I wanted to do my best, but part of me hoped Choi would advance. I had to manage my restaurant too, and the thought of facing more challenges was overwhelming," he confessed.
Ultimately, Kim was eliminated, while Choi went on to win the competition. Reflecting on his elimination, Kim surprisingly expressed relief. "If you watch my exit, you'll see I left with a smile," he recalled. "I felt liberated rather than defeated. I looked forward to enjoying simple pleasures like drinking soju with friends and cooking in my kitchen without the looming pressure of another mission," he laughed.
Kim explained, "Due to 'Black and White Chef 2' rules, I hadn't seen Choi in person after filming. We only exchanged texts." However, as Kim prepared to open his new venue, he invited Choi. "I told him to drop by for a drink," Kim shared.
Unexpectedly, Choi picked a specific date to visit, which coincided with Ahn Sung-jae's YouTube shoot. "I didn't realize it was for a YouTube video until Choi asked if it was okay to film with Sung-jae. I was thrilled," Kim explained. Choi congratulated Kim on his opening and even gifted him a bottle of liquor.
In the YouTube video, Kim described his relationship with Choi as 'awkward'. When asked if they still felt that way, Kim laughed, "We bonded over drinks that day. I love soju, and Choi can really handle his liquor. It's not awkward anymore."
By Ji-won Kim, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr