In the vast landscape of Korean entertainment, sometimes it’s the little things that bring us joy (or disappointment) and make our fan girl/boy/folk hearts beat a little faster.
Each month, we ask our writers to share: Among the many Hallyu things vying for your attention, what’s caught your eye, is on your mind, or has made your heart skip a beat?
A Month of Cooking Shows (Culinary Class Wars, Three Meals a Day: Light)
— Chelsea
Netflix‘s Culinary Class Wars has not only taken South Korea by storm, but it has garnered global attention in ways no other Korean survival show has previously. Personally, I am not cut out for watching competition shows: they stress me out, I feel too sympathetic for everyone eliminated, and I always clock devious editing and end up resenting the show. However, with all the hype and my personal love of Paik Jong-won, I gave in—just, at my own pace (I still haven’t watched the finale).
Though I found the first few episodes cruel in their pacing, I understand why the show became such a hit. It was the ruthlessness of the challenges that caused the tension and never the cruelty of the competing chefs. Even the judges were respectful towards every chef no matter their culinary background. Though it was framed as a battle of the top vs the mid-level of the culinary world, there was mostly just support all around throughout the show’s run. I also love that the show spotlighted non fine-dining chefs and a broad spectrum of culinary talent, with a few quirky personalities to keep things interesting. Paired with unique challenges and surprises at every turn, it’s an easy show to get sucked in to.
Yet, I am still not one for stressing myself out. So, as a break, I’ve been getting through episodes of Tving‘s Three Meals a Day: Light—the special 10th anniversary reboot of the popular show hosted by Cha Seung-won and Yoo Hae-jin. As the two celebrities cook and farm in the countryside, other celebrity guests including Im Young-woong, Do Kyungsoo, and Kim Go Eun come to visit. The pace is easy, the food looks delicious, and the guests get the chance to relax away from Seoul. There is no objective other than eating delicious meals, and boy do they. It’s the perfect counter programming from Culinary Class Wars, and I know which path I’d take if choosing between living in peace in the countryside or competing in the cutthroat world of fine dining.
Also, I realize my age might be approaching their target market, as Cha Seung-won’s know-how around a kitchen charmed me beyond expectations. That’s really my biggest takeaway this month.
No Thoughts, Just (Aespa’s) Whip-Whiplash
— Siena
Aespa are absolutely killing it. They’ve had a string of hit singles for the ages this past year, with “Drama,” “Supernova,” “Armageddon,” and now “Whiplash.” Each song is unique, deliciously campy, and unbelievably catchy. Taken as a whole, they represent a truly rare achievement: Aespa have successfully shifted from their debut concept into a more mature era, and they’ve done it while reaching new heights of artistry and popularity.
Of course, nothing is perfect. While Aespa’s singles have been phenomenal, the accompanying albums have lacked the punch of, say, their early masterpiece EP Savage. I’ve long enjoyed Aespa’s music, but something that’s held me back from becoming a consistent fan is their performance quality, and there are still some issues there. That being said, their stages for “Whiplash” are some of the best I’ve ever seen from them. With a song as fabulous as “Whiplash,” it’s no wonder they look like they’re having so much fun. One of my favorite hobbies is to blast bass-heavy music and stomp around the city, and the second I heard the opening ‘unce unce’ of “Whiplash,” I knew it was going on the strutting playlist rotation. So, if you ever catch a glimpse of me bounding around New York this fall, inevitably tripping and almost falling flat on my face at some point before righting myself and going right back to stomping, know that “Whiplash” is almost certainly what’s ringing in my ears!
