The new break out of reality show actually started with this young PD named Na Young Suk. If you remember how touching 1N2D season 1 was, or how the trend of Grand Pa over flowers bloomed and loved by viewers, it is all from one person’s original idea. Most of his shows involving traveling, food, cooking, and great friendship. All have the same based, but with different toppings and bowls. The first show that hooked me first was Grand Pa over Flower in Greece. I think it was the last season of the sequel. It was another traveling shots with four veteran actors with Lee Seo Jin as the luggage boy, and to end the sweet trip, he adds a flower into the group. Choi JI Woo joined the five and yes, it has made the show even sweeter. The show was about how the veteran actors went on holida together with the help of Lee Seo Jin and Choi Ji Woo who took care of those four. It seems boring, but Na-PD played out his magic. I claimed my self enjoying the show, and after wards I watched almost of his shows; Youth Over FLower sequels, Three Meals a day, and finally … Youn’s Kitchen.
He has been making shows that fit into my blog haha. Go against the odds, bring up the underdogs, and let it flow. There’s no script or whatever. At least that’s how I felt. I can initially feel the difference of the other show with this shows. His shows are so natural. Just like a ‘reality show.’
Every show that he produced has been in sequels, meaning all the shows were loved as well.
Now, he has another show about running a restaurant in one spot of foreign country. Sounds boring and exciting at the same time. Youn’s Kitchen was born just last year, and the first place taken was in my very own country. In Gili, Lombok island, Indonesia. He scouted Youn Youh Jung, a veteran actress whom I love (especially in Dear My Friends), as the main chef. Along with his forever “employee”, Lee Seo Jin who has been working with him since 2013 (Grand Pa over flowers, Three Meals a Day). He also scouted Jung Yu Mi (Discovery of Love, Live) as the main cook, and Shin Goo (Grand Pa Over Flower) as the part timer haha. I only watched two episodes of the first season, but never in a second I forwarded the show. I watched it all the way through, and just like the predecessors, I did not find it boring. What more special about it, it is not felt like it is made, or Na PD tries to make them look funny. He seemingly let them do whatever they want to do.
Let’s talk about Youn’s Kitchen season 2. The location chosen is Tenerife island (Canary), in a beautiful city by the sea named Garachico. In a restaurant with reddish wall and beautiful interior, along with the paving side walks. The city is up and down the hill, and next to rocky beach where there is a natural pool created by the rocks and the waves. It is just beautiful. When in Gili, they served more for tourists than the local, so matching up the western palate is no new thing for them. However, they are still worried whether there is costumer coming in or not. On top of that, their sample dining was not successful. The customers said it is bland, but in no time they re-invent a new recipe. In Garachico they serve Bulgogi Bibimbap, Vegetables Bibimbap, Kimchi Pancake, and Hotteok. The restaurant will be operating by the women in the kitchen and once in a while Seo Jun will come to help while he and Seo Jin will be responsible in the hall and drinks.
First few hours, they only have people passing by out of curiosity or only admiring the interior, and go pass the restaurant. After a while, finally they have customers. First group of customers are a husband and a wife from Denmark. They bravely step into unknown world of cuisine, and sit with a smile on their face. They order Kimchi pancake and bulgogi bibimbap. The husband leaves for more cash from ATM, the wife eats slowly when the Kimchi Pancake arrives. She eats it more and more and seems enjoy it so much. The husband comes back and it is time to taste Bulgogi Bibimbap. Chef Youn’s consideration to go out from the kitchen and introduce her self and also let them know ‘how to’ eat Bibimbap in the right way. “Mix, mix, and mix… and it will be Yummy” chef Youn says. Both husband and the wife burst in laughter, and since then… the word “yummy” is all over them.
The restaurant is still empty, but many people are outside peeking in, and the Denmark couple keep saying “come in, it is good” (I smiled when watching this). Just like in any restaurant, the wife and the husband conversing about what is happening around them (in Dannish), and finally more customers are coming. The first day, they only have three groups of customers, but Seo Jin *as the executive keeps the optimistic vibe and even talk about adding a new menu.
Day by day, we see an increase number of customers coming. From 3 tables occupied, to all the tables are full in the hall to people chillin at outdoor tables as well. From only trying two menus, to add the same menu twice. From visiting alone, and then come back bringing family and friends, and even dogs. From tourists to neighborhood friends. We can hear German, Chinese, Russian, and a lot of Spanish. From only 5 menus, upgraded to 8 menus. From only sell one menu per each to 76 dishes a day. Like Youth Over Flower in Iceland, Na PD does not do a lot of things while filming. The members are evolving by themselves. Chef Youn cooks calmly despite of the kitchen is so busy, and we all know the key in the kitchen is not cooking but organization. That is why we need Jung Yu Mi. Yu Mi takes all the kitchen managing skill day by day. Park Seo Jun is not fluent in English, but he learns basic Spanish, and communicate very well to the locals. Lee Seo Jin with his MBA, he surely can run business I must say. The chemistry is developed without too much force done. Just spending time together in the same environment, they show an incredible chemistry whilst having so much flow on orders.
I am in awe seeing the episode when Seo Jin decides to take orders for group reservation. Thirteen PEOPLE, and they are from rival restaurant across the street. LOL. They are professionals, and these little Youn’s Kitchen Squad have to serve them! I remember seeing the panic stare of Yumi seeing them rolling in to the restaurant. They order three portions for each menu. Plus, they have to serve other customers too. Also, these restaurant peeps are so happy and they are not going out and keep ordering multiple things. But, that’s the beauty of this show. It shows a lot of genuine acts, and raw emotions without any script. They love the food, they say they love the food. They order more, and keep admiring the food. In the end, it is not about rivalry, but accepting other culture, other taste, and give appreciation about it. The Youn’s kitchen Super Squad survives that busy day with a glorious ending.
I love how they converse while eating. It is like experiencing another culture. But, at the same time, it feels so similar. When they eat, they talk about life, they talk about how delicious the food is, they talk about the ingredients, they try to learn some Koreans. Mother holds her baby, father divides food into three, a group of friends cheers together. It is just making me smile. All in all, it is a story about a neighborhood.
The special thing about this store is not about how many dishes they can sell on a day, or not about how cute Lee Seo Jin’s dimple, unlike many other reality shows whose casts are trying to be funny, or playing games for making it fun. It is simply doing what they are supposed to do. It is exactly I feel while I was watching Three Meals a Day. Of course, Na Pd is obviously doing something for his show. From Youn’s kitchen, he has done a lot of surveys, and prepared for all. The editing part is where the magic really works. A simple caption, a nice transition, a nice flash back, making it more fun to watch compared to a drama lol. The music is the breath of the show too. I don’t know how many times I turned my shamzam on to catch what song is. Not forgetting how beautiful the shots are. Na Pd basically has an amazing team. The cameramen, the writer, the sound director, ah everything. I must say the editing is soooooooooo niceeeeeeeeeeee. I have watched another reality show fro another tv-station, the editing is sooo bad. Confusing, and jumpy. The songs are just the similar things too. But, each of Na PD’s shows always use local musicians and songs. My favorite invention is the Iceland singer named Asgeir on Youth Over Flower in Iceland. It is like a whole new world.
It is not easy to develop an exciting tv-show without too much scripts and interventions, because it could feel like a humanity documentary show instead of an entertainment. But, Na PD and his brilliant team has once again done the magic. (read Youth Over Flower; Iceland).
Despite the show gains some critics regarding the kitchen procedure, it hits 17% for the first show and never below 10% rating wise. The last episode is quiet emotional. “I am sad they are leaving” said one of the customers. They bid good bye to the restaurant crew who went to Youn’s Kitchen, and it really a raw emotion there. A genuine one.
All in all, he makes me want to go to Garachico for sure.
Cant wait to watch the special episode…
CVB
