French Friends Experience Traditional Korean Feast in Jeonju on 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?'

Paco and his French friends enjoyed an unforgettable traditional Korean feast in Jeonju.

The October 2nd episode of MBC Every1's variety show 'Welcome, First Time in Korea?' featured the much-anticipated Jeonju trip of 'K-Tradition Lover' Paco. Having expressed his desire to see the 'real life and traditions of Korea' from France, Paco's deep emotions upon encountering the heart of Korean tradition were palpable, leaving viewers with a warm feeling.

On the morning of the third day of their trip, Paco couldn't hide his excitement as he sang his self-composed 'Jeonju Song' while preparing for the journey. His infectious energy continued throughout the trip. The friends were particularly amazed by the comfort of the Korean premium express bus, exclaiming, 'Even airplanes don't have this,' and 'This is not a bus, it's a bed.'

Upon arriving in Jeonju, Paco's unique presence shone brightly. As soon as they hailed a taxi, the driver immediately recognized Paco. Overjoyed, Paco repeatedly exclaimed, 'I'm so happy!' and engaged in a delightful conversation with the driver. When the driver expressed a desire to visit France to see Paco, Paco, who had fulfilled his dream of traveling to Korea, sincerely supported the driver's dream, showcasing a heartwarming friendship that transcended borders. Paco added to the warmth by gifting the driver an Eiffel Tower keychain he had brought from France.

The highlight of the journey was undoubtedly the 25-dish traditional Korean feast in Jeonju. From the entrance, the friends were captivated by the hanbok-clad staff, the mother-of-pearl furniture used as decor, and the ondol floor heating system, engaging in deep discussions as if they were in a museum. Initially unfamiliar with the legless chairs and floor seating culture, their surprise quickly turned into overwhelming excitement as the table was filled with an impressive array of dishes. Paco, in particular, marveled, 'It feels like I've stepped into a royal dynasty,' and enjoyed the meal, feeling like a king.

True to their French roots, the friends offered sharp and humorous analyses of Korean cuisine. Fabien, observing his friends enjoying the sinseollo, compared it to the French broth dish 'pot-au-feu,' pinpointing why it would appeal to French palates. Meanwhile, 'Food Professor' Max, after tasting the galbijjim, likened it to the traditional French beef dish 'boeuf bourguignon.' Max declared, 'It's much better than bourguignon. I pledge allegiance to galbijjim,' and humorously added, 'I can return home with no regrets,' filling the scene with laughter.

The pinnacle of the meal was the challenge of 'hongeo samhap,' a dish that even divides opinions among Koreans. While Max admitted defeat, saying, 'It feels like it's pulling my nose,' Paco and Jamil surprisingly showcased their prowess. Paco expressed joy, saying, 'Something's rising through my nose, and that's the kick. Tradition is good,' while Jamil praised its jelly-like texture. Fabien, observing, noted, 'Since French people enjoy pungent cheeses, they can certainly appreciate the unique aroma and taste of hongeo,' nodding in agreement.

The feast didn't end there. Even after clearing the abundant table, the friends were treated to rice, dried radish greens soybean paste soup, nurungji, and sikhye, embodying the endless Korean hospitality. Despite being full, they expressed their happiness with joyful exclamations. Having completed the perfect meal, Paco humorously declared, 'I don't want to go back to France; I want to live in Korea!' bringing laughter to the end.

Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr