'The Great Baker' Crowns Hwang Ji-oh as First Champion with Stunning Victory

'The Great Baker' concluded with a spectacular finale, crowning Hwang Ji-oh, known as the 'Crazy Patissier,' as its first champion. The winner receives a grand prize of 100 million won, the opportunity to launch a new bakery brand under their name, and a luxury electric SUV.

In the 10th episode of MBN's 'The Great Baker,' aired on the 5th, Hwang Ji-oh, who was in 4th place in the 'First Round of Finals,' delivered a thrilling comeback victory. His creation, 'Grandmother's Yard,' inspired by persimmons from his grandmother's rural home, received high praise for its taste, detail, and storytelling, ultimately securing him the top spot.

The episode began with the announcement of the top two contestants from the 'First Round of Finals.' Kim Si-yeop, with his 'Mother's Place,' scored 556 points to take first place, while Lee Kyung-moo's 'Assorted Sushi Bread' earned him 542 points for second place. With only a 51-point difference between first and seventh place, the 'Second Round of Finals' promised an unpredictable outcome, with a total of 800 points at stake, 200 more than the first round.

The 'Second Round of Finals' featured esteemed judges, including Korea's 6th Master Baker Kim Young-mo, Hyatt Asia's Executive Pastry Chef Julien Perrinet, and Hilton Hotel Gyeongju's Head Chef Davide Cardellini. The top seven contestants presented their creations under the theme 'Create the One Bread to Conquer the World, 'The Great Baker.'' Branding expert Kim Ah-rin, known for her work with the National Museum of Korea and Baekmidang, coached the contestants to enhance their presentations. Former contestants and supporters, including 'Baking Announcer' Lee Hye-sung and 'Donut Queen' Jane Young, cheered on the finalists.

Kim Si-yeop, the first-round leader, created 'Si-yeop Dream,' a waterdrop-shaped bread made from pastry, symbolizing dreams, passion, and tears. Lee Kyung-moo presented 'Taeguk Red Bean Bread,' inspired by the Korean flag, using tiger kidney beans and red beans, aiming to popularize red bean bread globally.

Yoon Hwa-young introduced 'Montpain de Vie,' a new version of his praised 'Campagne,' incorporating cheese and healthy fats from perilla seeds. He shared a personal story about his family's health struggles, emphasizing his commitment to healthy baking. Kim Jin-seo attempted sugar art for 'My Life's Gold Medal,' recalling a time when he injured his hand while preparing for a national baking competition. Master Kim Na-rae offered words of encouragement, sharing her own similar experiences.

Hwang Ji-oh's 'Grandmother's Yard,' inspired by his first dessert experience with persimmons at his grandmother's home, was praised for its authentic Korean sentiment and global appeal. He crafted molds of leaves and persimmons to achieve a realistic presentation. Seong Min-soo, who finished seventh in the first round, reflected on his past obsession with novelty and created 'San,' a Mont Blanc dessert using Korean ingredients, sharing his personal struggles during the pandemic and family bankruptcy.

Joo Young-seok crafted 'Black Heart,' a cream bread using black rice and squid ink, symbolizing the comfort he found in cream bread during his idol days in Japan. He aimed to capture the contrast of darkness and light in his creation.

The final rankings, combining scores from both rounds, were revealed. Lee Kyung-moo finished in 7th place with 1169 points, followed by Kim Jin-seo in 6th with 1175 points, and Joo Young-seok in 5th with 1181 points. Seong Min-soo took 4th with 1202 points, and Yoon Hwa-young secured 3rd with 1233 points. In a dramatic showdown, Hwang Ji-oh emerged victorious with 1297 points, while Kim Si-yeop took 2nd with 1262 points.

As the inaugural winner of 'The Great Baker,' Hwang Ji-oh expressed his gratitude, saying, "Walking this path is often challenging. I hope to be a guiding light, like Chef Kim Na-rae was for me, even if just a small candle for someone else. I will continue to strive as a patissier."

'The Great Baker' captivated audiences from the start, showcasing talented bakers and bringing hidden gems into the spotlight. The show not only boosted the popularity of contestants' bakeries, leading to long lines and social media buzz, but also contributed to local communities through missions that highlighted regional specialties.

By exploring the diverse world of 'K-Baking,' 'The Great Baker' expanded its universe, featuring unique creations like event-targeted breads, classic dessert-inspired rebakes, no-oven breads, meal-worthy breads, and storytelling breads. Each episode offered a visual feast and highlighted the endless possibilities of globalizing K-bread.

The production team expressed their gratitude, stating, "Thanks to the enthusiastic support of viewers, 'The Great Baker' has concluded. We hope the winner, Hwang Ji-oh, and all contestants continue to take bold steps forward."

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