Chef Jung Ji-sun Opens Up About Gender Discrimination in the Culinary World

Chef Jung Ji-sun, known from Season 1 of 'Black and White Chef,' has revealed her past experiences with gender discrimination.

On the October 26th episode of KBS2's variety show 'Problem Child in House,' chefs Jung Ji-sun and Lee Moon-jung appeared as guests.

Jung Ji-sun and Lee Moon-jung, who share a mentor-mentee relationship in the world of Chinese cuisine, discussed their experiences. Jung Ji-sun expressed her admiration for Lee Moon-jung, stating, “There were no women in Chinese cuisine. It was fascinating, and I wanted to get to know her.”

When asked why she chose to specialize in Chinese cuisine, Jung Ji-sun explained, “No one chose Chinese cuisine. I was curious why, and as I pursued it, I found it more appealing. I've never regretted choosing Chinese cuisine.”

However, surviving as a female chef in the conservative world of Chinese cuisine was not easy. Jung Ji-sun shared, “There were times when I wasn't allowed to enter the kitchen at all. I was treated like I was invisible. This was the case in China and abroad, where there are not many female chefs. If there are 20 male staff, there might be one woman.” Lee Moon-jung added, “It's almost nonexistent in hotels. There might be one woman in the entire establishment.”

Jung Ji-sun recounted instances of physical abuse in the kitchen, saying, “I was often hit with a ladle and even with the back of a knife. The wide blade of a Chinese knife makes it easy to hit. They would tap with the flat side of the knife. At the time, I thought it was normal. I didn't think it was wrong. No one told me otherwise, and everyone did it, so I thought it was just how things were.”

She also shared a harrowing experience where her finger got caught in a noodle dough machine, requiring 30 stitches. “I was working in a regular establishment and got a chance to work in a hotel. While making dough, my finger got caught in the machine. I pulled it out without turning off the machine, and it split open, requiring stitches,” she revealed.

Jung Ji-sun worked until the day before giving birth, hiding her pregnancy. “I hid my pregnancy until six months in and only revealed it after a cooking competition in China. The baby was in danger and had to be delivered urgently at 28 weeks,” she confessed.

By Taeyuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr