Directors Kim Hak-min and Kim Eun-ji, who helmed Netflix’s "Culinary Class Wars 2", say even they’re surprised by chef Lim Sung-geun’s breakout momentum.
Speaking at a wrap-up interview held in Seoul’s Samcheong-dong on the 16th, the duo reflected on Lim’s surge in popularity after the midseason team battles. “We always thought he’d click with viewers ― he’s had a big personality and serious chops since 'Korean Food War,'” Kim Hak-min said. “But we didn’t anticipate this level of impact.”
A champion of "Korean Food War 3" and a master of Korean cuisine, Lim entered Season 2 as a “white spoon” competitor and quickly became a force in the Black-and-White Alliance team rounds. Before one cook-off, he coolly promised, “I can make a thousand sauces,” then backed it up with a winning spread that dominated the competition ― and lit up social media.
Early episodes drew chatter that Season 2 felt lighter on sizzle than the first. Lim’s arrival changed the temperature of the show almost overnight.
Asked whether the team leaned into Lim’s popularity in the back half, Kim Hak-min clarified, “Our workflow means we finish editing the entire season before we can gauge audience reaction. That said, within the crew we predicted Lim would pop after the team rounds.” He added, “He’s so dynamic and fun. During the ‘Infinite Cooking Paradise’ segment, when he sprinted with that massive rack of ribs, our team joked we’d never seen a survival show serve up a visual like that.”
Kim Eun-ji also shared how Lim came on board. “He’s famous for finishing dishes fast ― and he was the first to say yes for Season 2,” she said. “Many chefs express interest but take a long time to commit. Lim contacted us early with a firm ‘I’m in.’ During casting, his was the only photo pinned to our conference room board for a while. It honestly kept our team energized.”
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)