Baek Jong-won Returns as a Business Genius

Baek Jong-won returns as a business genius. On the 24th episode of tvN's variety show 'Backpacker 2', airing on the 10th, Baek Jong-won, Lee Soo-geun, Heo Kyung-hwan, Ahn Bo-hyun, and Go Kyung-pyo visit 'Cheongnyeon Bapsang Mungan', a restaurant for hungry youth, to deliver happiness for just 3,000 won.

The final destination for the team, gathered from dawn in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, is 'Cheongnyeon Bapsang Mungan'. This value-for-money restaurant offers hearty home-cooked meals like kimchi stew for just 3,000 won, providing happiness to hungry youth in these times of high prices. Upon discovering the hidden location in a university alley, the team is surprised to find it's a real restaurant, and Baek Jong-won is astonished to learn they operate with a 3,000 won kimchi stew.

Father Lee Moon-soo, who has been running the restaurant for eight years, reveals he opened it after hearing the tragic news of a young person dying of hunger in a goshiwon (a small, inexpensive room for students). He expresses regret for not offering more diverse menus and requests the team to create a unique dish for the youth using kimchi, the main ingredient of the stew. In response, the team plans to serve 100 lunch guests with a new dish, marking their first business venture on 'Backpacker'.

Despite the small kitchen, the team is determined to make the 3,000 won meal feel like a 300,000 won experience. Baek Jong-won chooses a new menu item, kimchi dumpling hot pot with plenty of toppings. The team takes on the challenge of making 400 dumplings, providing laughter with their kimchi pounding show and a bibimbap show reminiscent of Tai Chi. Baek Jong-won also shares his special kimchi dumpling recipe, recalling his experience running a dumpling shop during the IMF crisis.

Despite the small kitchen, the team shows a harmonious atmosphere. The pre-released video of episode 24 shows the team preparing for business, adding to the excitement. When Go Kyung-pyo hums a song, Baek Jong-won jokingly asks if he's a singer, showing interest in Go's identity only on their last trip, causing laughter. Go humorously responds, "I'm Hong Seo-beom," showcasing his artistic talent. During an impromptu self-introduction session, Heo Kyung-hwan and Lee Soo-geun call themselves 'chicken seller' and 'substitute driver', respectively, bringing laughter to the scene.

Amidst the laughter, the team's first business venture begins. Despite the chaos of the new business system, business genius Baek Jong-won captivates customers with his unique strategy, raising curiosity about his performance. The team's meaningful challenge to captivate the youth's taste buds with Baek Jong-won's kimchi dumpling hot pot draws increasing attention.

The traveling cooking team concludes their six-month journey, having visited 24 locations, cooked 135 dishes, and served 4,011 people. Over seasons 1 and 2, they served meaningful meals to 7,000 people. A special gift arrives for the team, delivering an emotional moment. The tearful final story of the team can be seen on the 24th episode of 'Backpacker 2', airing at 7:40 PM.

Meanwhile, Baek Jong-won listed his restaurant franchise company, The Born Korea, on the KOSPI on the 6th. On the first day of listing, the stock price surged 51.2% from the offering price (34,000 won) to close at 51,400 won, but fell 10% to 49,000 won by the 8th. Baek Jong-won's stake value also decreased from 452 billion won to 406 billion won.

Tae Yuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr