Recently, cooking survival content featuring fierce competitions among chefs has gained immense popularity. This fall, a new cooking drama that combines the thrilling tension of competition with deep human narratives is set to debut. 'Final Table' is the centerpiece of this culinary showcase, highlighting the lives and philosophies of chefs amidst a feast of exquisite dishes.
On October 22, a press conference for JTBC's new drama 'Final Table' was held at The Link Hotel in Guro-gu, Seoul. The event featured director Kim Do-hoon, who is responsible for both the direction and screenplay, along with cast members Ahn Hyo-seop, Hong Hwa-yeon, Jang Ryul, and Jung Yoo-jin.
'Final Table' tells the story of Korean chefs from around the world competing in 'The Table: K Chef 2026' to determine the best Korean chef. The drama showcases a dazzling array of dishes and the remarkable stories behind them.
Director Kim, known for popular works such as 'Spotlight,' 'Royal Family,' 'Moon Embracing the Sun,' and 'Medical Top Team,' has taken on the project from planning to scriptwriting and directing, generating significant buzz.
Kim expressed his long-standing interest in the culinary world, stating, "I have been fascinated by the profession of a chef for a long time. After studying cooking for ten years as a hobby, I ended up writing the script myself. Initially, I planned to only outline the synopsis and ask a rookie writer to handle the first episode, but as I continued writing for casting, I ended up completing the entire script. Viewers will be able to see and feel all the stories of the chefs through this drama."
In the drama, Ahn Hyo-seop plays 'Kang Han,' a gifted chef with a mysterious personal life who becomes the head chef at 'Familier,' a restaurant tied to memories of his father. Jang Ryul portrays 'Cha Woo-jin,' Kang Han's rival, a chef trained in a large corporation's rigorous program, showcasing a passionate yet obsessive culinary world.
Ahn Hyo-seop shared, "I believe that there should be no flaws in skills like knife work, wok techniques, and plating, so I practiced very hard in a short time. I was even reluctant to waste vegetables while practicing. I referenced popular competition shows like 'Black and White Chef' and 'MasterChef' to make the chefs' calmness and professional gestures appear authentic."
Jang Ryul also noted, "I took cooking lessons every morning for two hours with Chef Yang Ji-hoon, who advised me two months before filming. Handling the tools that chefs dedicate their lives to was truly challenging, but now I am confident in basic ingredient preparation like chopping onions and carrots. I built my character, Cha Woo-jin, by watching documentaries that capture the temperament and individuality of famous chefs."
During the actual test shoot, director Kim praised both actors, saying, "Originally, we had planned to use hand doubles, but Ahn Hyo-seop and Jang Ryul performed so well that we didn't need them. We ended up using many more scenes with the actors doing the cooking themselves than with doubles."
Despite their rivalry in the drama, the chemistry between the two on set was warm. Jang Ryul remarked, "I came prepared to act as a rival, but when I met Ahn Hyo-seop on set, he was such a gentle person that I kept getting disarmed. To be frank, his cooking skills are far superior to mine."
In response, Ahn Hyo-seop joked, "I think I'm better," but added, "Jang Ryul is so kind and caring that it was truly a joy to work with him. However, when the camera rolls, his gaze changes, allowing me to immerse myself in my performance."
Along with Ahn Hyo-seop and Jang Ryul, the cast members, including Hong Hwa-yeon as Song Yi and Jung Yoo-jin, praised the strength of the script. Ahn Hyo-seop stated, "The director's extensive experience and insight are woven into the emotional arcs of various characters, prompting deep reflections on relationships." Jang Ryul emphasized, "Although it has a competitive format, the script ultimately conveys pure stories about family and love." Jung Yoo-jin added, "It was so engaging that I couldn't tell whether it was a variety show or a drama."
'Final Table' uniquely blends the formats of cooking competition shows and dramas. Director Kim noted, "We focused on the process of preparing the drama and cooking. When viewers turn on the TV, they might wonder if it's a new cooking variety show because it feels so fresh."
In light of the recent phenomenon created by Netflix's 'Black and White Chef,' director Kim candidly shared his feelings, saying, "We started preparing first, but when 'Black and White Chef' became a hit, I initially felt upset and pressured. However, thanks to that program, public interest in gourmet food and chefs has significantly increased. I am grateful that it has laid the groundwork for our drama to reach viewers. I hope audiences will enjoy our unique story, which differs from variety shows."
The director aims to convey messages of 'healing' and 'philosophy' through the drama. It delicately explores why chefs create dishes and how they find emotional healing through the process of elevating cooking to an art form. Additionally, it will raise questions about the identity of Korean cuisine as characters with diverse backgrounds, including Japanese, South American, and European influences, challenge 'K-food.'
Returning to JTBC's weekend drama lineup after a long time, director Kim Do-hoon and the cast left warm messages for viewers. Hong Hwa-yeon and Jang Ryul urged, "As the weather gets colder, it's a great warm story to watch with family and friends at home." Ahn Hyo-seop and director Kim added, "We hope you enjoy it comfortably, like savoring delicious food, and find healing through it."
JTBC's new drama 'Final Table,' which promises to deliver the thrilling fun of cooking competitions alongside the warm emotions of a human drama, will premiere on October 24 at 10:40 PM.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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