Choi Soo-jong Takes Over ‘Korean Food Table’ Following Go Doo-shim’s Advice 🍚🤝

Choi Soo-jong, succeeding Choi Bul-am on ‘Korean Food Table,’ aims to be a ‘good neighbor.’ He initially hesitated due to the weight of Choi Bul-am’s legacy but was encouraged by Go Doo-shim’s advice.

Hesitation and Decisive Advice 🤔

Choi Soo-jong confessed that he didn’t immediately accept the offer. He deeply respected Choi Bul-am and felt the weight of his presence on the show. He consulted with his wife, Ha Hee-ra, and even had a long conversation with Choi Bul-am himself.

A significant turning point came with advice from actress Go Doo-shim, who narrates ‘Korean Food Table.’ She emphasized the importance of empathizing with people’s joys, sorrows, and pains, just as she does in her own life. This guidance gave Choi Soo-jong the strength to accept the role.

Following in Choi Bul-am’s Footsteps 👣

Choi Soo-jong expressed his respect for Choi Bul-am and his commitment to following in his footsteps. He aims to gradually infuse ‘Korean Food Table’ with his own style while honoring the show’s legacy. He humorously noted the extensive travel required for filming, expressing amazement at how Choi Bul-am managed it for so long.

Producer’s Perspective 🎬

Producer Im Ki-soon highlighted Choi Bul-am’s dedication over the past 14 years, traveling across the country for the show. The decision to pass the baton to Choi Soo-jong was made after careful consideration, with Choi Bul-am expressing his desire to hand it over to a reliable successor.

Choi Bul-am conveyed his support for Choi Soo-jong, encouraging him to continue the show’s legacy with depth and sincerity.

Emotional Moments and Future Aspirations 😢✨

Choi Soo-jong shared emotional moments from filming, including an elderly person expressing joy at seeing him before passing away and a young student requesting his autograph for being a fan of Gang Gam-chan (a famous figure in Korean history). He aims to connect with viewers as a relatable figure—a father, son, uncle, brother—and hopes to continue the show for many years, maintaining his health and dedication.

‘Korean Food Table’: A Legacy of Food and Culture 🍲

‘Korean Food Table’ is a food documentary that explores the hidden stories, history, and culture behind regional cuisine. It serves as a ‘memory storage’ of flavors, capturing culture, history, and community stories within each meal. The show airs every Thursday at 7:40 PM KST.

Passing the Torch 🤝🔥

The transition from Choi Bul-am to Choi Soo-jong is seen as more than just a change of hosts; it’s a generational passing of the torch, preserving the legacy of Korean cuisine. Producers expressed deep gratitude for Choi Bul-am’s dedication and excitement for the future with Choi Soo-jong.