'Matnam' Baek Jong-won, Embarrassed by Farmer Who Didn't Recognize Him: "Didn't You Know Me?"

On the 28th, the SBS variety show "Delicious Rendezvous" featured cooking expert Baek Jong-won and comedian Yang Se-hyung visiting a bok choy farm in Yongin struggling due to reduced consumer spending.
/Photo by SBS

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] Cooking expert Baek Jong-won and comedian Yang Se-hyung visited a bok choy farm.

On the 28th broadcast of SBS entertainment program 'Delicious Rendezvous,' Baek Jong-won and Yang Se-hyung visited a bok choy farm in Yongin that has been struggling due to decreased consumer demand.

The bok choy farm is currently facing difficulties due to the impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Baek Jong-won explained, "About 70% of the domestic harvest comes from Yongin. Right now, many restaurants are closing down, so places that supply ingredients are also struggling one after another."

That day, the farm had to plow over the bok choy fields with a tractor due to a price collapse. A farmer said, "It’s just a little past the shipping time. It used to sell well. Last year, 4kg went for up to 9,000 won. There was a Mala Tang boom. It was okay then. Now the price has crashed drastically to around 1,000 won for 4kg."

The farmer added, "(If we want to start again) we have to wait until everything we plowed over rots. After plowing like this, I don’t feel like coming back to the greenhouse," expressing regret.

The farmer’s son shared his hope, saying, "I hope this opportunity allows families to cook and eat bok choy at home."

Baek Jong-won said, "That seems urgent. People don’t know how to cook it and only eat it as a wrap vegetable at home," and Yang Se-hyung added, "I think people will be surprised when they watch the broadcast. They’ll say, 'So that’s why it’s Baek Jong-won~ Baek Jong-won~.'"

At that moment, the farmer recognized Baek Jong-won, saying, "Ah~ I’ve seen you a lot on TV." Yang Se-hyung then joked, "You just recognized us? We were here for an hour, and you thought we were from the community center," causing laughter around.

Flustered, Baek Jong-won said, "You didn’t know who I was? You were talking to me without knowing who I am," adding to the laughter.

Baek Jong-won continued, "We will do whatever we can. We will work hard on research," and expressed his determination, saying, "Stay strong and keep your spirits up. Next time you harvest, we will make sure you can feel encouraged."