Trailblazing Female Chefs Reveal Struggles in Male-Dominated Culinary World on KBS2's 'Problematic Men'

Chefs Jung Ji-sun and Lee Moon-jung open up about the challenges they faced as female chefs in the male-dominated world of Chinese cuisine.

On KBS2's 'Problematic Men,' the 'Queen of Chinese Cuisine' Jung Ji-sun and 'Black and White Chef 2's 'Witch of Chinese Cuisine' Lee Moon-jung make a special appearance.

During the episode, Chef Jung Ji-sun shares her experiences of discrimination in the conservative Chinese culinary world. Despite winning a gold medal at an international cooking competition, she was often treated as invisible in the kitchen. She recalls the difficulties she faced just trying to enter the kitchen.

"They wouldn't even let me into the kitchen, and I wasn't allowed near the stove," she revealed, sharing the painful memories of not being able to approach the stove even for cleaning. Her story of perseverance in the face of discrimination can be seen on the full broadcast.

Chef Lee Moon-jung, who has worked in five-star hotel restaurants for 25 years, also shares her story. "There are hardly any female chefs in hotel Chinese restaurants; it's rare to find even one," she said, revealing that it took her a decade to master the essential 'wok' cooking technique, surprising the rooftop MCs.

The two chefs also shared their poignant stories of not being able to leave the kitchen even during pregnancy. Chef Jung Ji-sun revealed, "I hid my pregnancy until six months and participated in cooking competitions," and continued working in the kitchen until the day before giving birth. Chef Lee Moon-jung also hid her pregnancy initially and worked until a month before delivery.

Why did these chefs feel compelled to hide their pregnancies and fiercely guard their place in the kitchen? Find out on KBS2's 'Problematic Men' on the evening of the 26th at 8:30 PM.

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr