Lee Young-ae Makes Her Debut as a Cooking Judge on 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator'

Lee Young-ae, renowned for her role as 'Jang Geum', is set to make her debut as a cooking judge. Married to businessman Jung Ho-young since 2009, with whom she shares twins born in 2011, Jung's wealth is estimated at around 2 trillion won.

Tonight at 9 PM, JTBC's 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' will feature a thrilling 15-minute cooking battle among chefs using the diverse ingredients found in Lee Young-ae's refrigerator.

The first showdown will see chefs Son Jong-won and Park Eun-young compete with the theme of 'healthy food'. Son Jong-won, a Korean cuisine chef, expresses his excitement, saying, "As a Korean chef, I've always wanted to cook for her." Meanwhile, 'Goddess of Chinese Cuisine' Park Eun-young confidently states, "When it comes to healthy food, it's all about Chinese cuisine," promising a dish that will invigorate.

However, Park Eun-young faces another challenge. Having struggled with time constraints in a previous competition, she once again chooses a complex dish that seems difficult to complete in 15 minutes, causing a stir among the chefs. As the cooking progresses, continuous advice from fellow chefs and even the two MCs adds to the pressure, with Son Jong-won expressing sympathy, "Eun-young must be having a hard time," eliciting laughter. The question remains whether Park Eun-young can overcome her past disappointment and successfully complete her dish.

The next battle features Sam Kim and Jung Ho-young with the theme of 'natural cuisine'. Sam Kim, a leading figure in natural cooking, shares, "I started with a small garden and expanded it to 70 pyeong," finding common ground with Lee Young-ae and exuding confidence. Meanwhile, Jung Ho-young, known for his intuitive flavors and winning streak, aims for his fifth consecutive win, revealing a special connection with Lee Young-ae that fills the studio with laughter.

Lee Young-ae captivates as she steps into the role of a cooking judge for the first time. Before tasting, she candidly shares, "I've received many offers to judge cooking shows because of my 'Jang Geum' role," adding, "I've always politely declined, but this unique experience is nerve-wracking." During the tasting, she closes her eyes to savor each flavor, expressing awe with, "This is a taste I've never experienced before," even shedding tears, heightening the atmosphere.

The dish that moved 'Jang Geum' Lee Young-ae to tears will be revealed tonight at 9 PM on 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator'.

Reporter Lee So-jung, TenAsia forusojung@tenasia.co.kr