Paik Jongwon Returns to TV Through MBC’s ‘Chef of Antarctica’ Amid Ongoing Controversies
Nov 18, 2025
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In the first episode of 'Climate Environment Project - Chef of Antarctica', which aired on the 17th, Jongwon Baek, Lim Soo-hyang, Su-ho, and Chae Jong-hyup left for Antarctica, the front line of climate change research. For the first time, the four visited Antarctica in the capacity of 'Honorary Crew' and visited Penguin Village and Sejong Station.
Suho feels 'It's because of global warming' while looking at the abnormal climate, such as heavy rain and approaching a heat wave. Going to the South Pole itself feels responsible and burdened. I want to show the current situation in Antarctica," he said, expressing his determination.
In order to survive in Antarctica, the four "honorary members of Antarctica" received training necessary for survival, including maritime safety training, fire safety training, and land safety training, and prepared to enter Antarctica. Chae Jong-hyeop said, `After being trained for survival, I thought Antarctica was really dangerous.'
After a long flight, the four men arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile, the gateway city to Antarctica. Punta Arenas has a geographical feature that takes only about two hours by plane to King George Island in Antarctica, where researchers and explorers gather for 'Ip Namgeuk'.
Lim Soo-hyang, who unpacked her luggage at the Punta Arenas lodge on the first day, said "It's not the South Pole yet, but 'I'm at the end of the world."' I was looking forward to it, so I felt at ease. He expressed his excitement. However, on the second day, a snowstorm hit King George Island in Antarctica, and on the third day, there was thin ice on the runway. Until the 4th day, the runway conditions were poor, and the flight to Antarctica was canceled and the decision was made to be impossible. The continuous failure left the honorary members in frustration. However, fortunately, on the 5th day, he was given a fixed schedule for the Yipnamgeuk, and when the flight was confirmed, the honorary members smiled broadly.
The plane to Antarctica, carrying four honorary members, passed the South American continent and arrived at King George Island, an Antarctic continent that boasts a different scale of snow mountains. Lim Soo-hyang, who took his first steps to the South Pole, said, "It was a feeling of wonder."I was moved. Suho "It was a difficult moment to experience again in my life", he said, expressing his impression of Antarctica, where he was able to enter the country after a long wait.
The honorary members then boarded a rubber boat to move to the Sejong Science Base. As we approached 'Marianso Bay', where the Sejong Science Base is located, small blocks of ice and floating ice from the iceberg or ice wall were detected. Kwon Oh-seok, a maritime safety officer in charge of their safety, explained about Marianso Bay, where the ice wall is collapsing faster due to climate change. Compared to the past, the ice wall here has retreated about 2 km, and as of 2025, bedrock has been revealed. The four witnessed firsthand the crisis in Antarctica, which has been directly hit by changes in global warming.
Jongwon Baek, Lim Soo-hyang, Su-ho, and Chae Jong-hyeop then arrived at the Sejong Institute in Antarctica, 17,240 kilometers away from South Korea. The honorary members, like other wintering members, completed their first schedule with a silent tribute in front of a statue of the late Jeon Jae-kyu, who died in an accident while going out to sea to rescue a fellow crew member in distress 21 years ago. The winter members then gathered for lunch at the only restaurant in the barren area to eat out.
Ahn Chi-young, the cook who was in charge of the winter crew's meals by preparing three meals a day for a year as the original chef of Antarctica, said, "Eating three meals a day is my biggest pleasure. It's also time to check if you're alive because everything you do is different.', emphasizing the meaning of meals in Antarctica.
He then tries to satisfy his enjoyment in an isolated environment for a year, but the crew is most struggling because it is difficult to eat out. The crew welcomed the members who will show a new taste in the lack of fresh ingredients, saying, `Chiyoung Daewon's food is delicious, but I hope there is food made by someone else.' Expectations are high on what new taste the four members of 『The Chef of Antarctica" will be able to cheer for winter workers in a limited environment.
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Earlier, Dubon Korea was recently under fire for allegedly violating the country of origin labeling law, inflating ham prices and controversy over pork content, and poor hygiene management.
The Jongwon Baek, who is suspected of violating the Food Sanitation Act and the Food Labeling and Advertising Act, was questioned by police in September. The police are investigating after receiving allegations that Dubon Korea falsely listed the origin of ingredients for some products and complaints that it used industrial tools in the cooking process.
As the controversy grew, the Jongwon Baek issued an apology twice and bowed its head in person at the regular shareholders' meeting of Dubon Korea. "As an entrepreneur, I will concentrate on the growth of Dubon Korea."All broadcasting activities have been completely suspended.
However, producer Hwang Soon-gyu, who directed 『The Chef of the Antarctic』, also stated that the Jongwon Baek's personal controversy and the direction of the program are separate. Producer Hwang said, "Chef of Antarctica' has already been completed since filming in November last year, and it was about to air"I understand that the company was deeply concerned as the broadcast was postponed once due to external circumstances and the controversy over the cast arose. The production team also took the matter seriously and seriously discussed the message and direction of the program."
'Climate Environment Project - Chef of Antarctica' airs every Monday at 10:50 p.m. on U+TV and U+ MobileTV at midnight on Monday.
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