"I Thought Kim Poong's Cooking Was Just for Fun, but the Taste...": "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" Hits All-Time High Ratings

JTBC Variety Show Approaches 9% Viewership
Surpasses Previous Record Set by G-Dragon and Taeyang at 7.4%
Lee Introduces Korean Beef, Dried Radish Greens, and Deodeok Instead of Refrigerator

The JTBC variety show "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," featuring President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, recorded its highest-ever viewership rating, approaching 9%.

According to viewership research firm Nielsen Korea on October 7, the main broadcast of JTBC's "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" aired the previous day achieved a nationwide rating of 8.9%. This marks the highest rating across both seasons 1 and 2 of the show, which first premiered in 2014. The previous record was 7.4%, set in August 2015 when singers G-Dragon and Taeyang appeared on the program.

President Lee Jae-myung explained the reason for deciding to appear on JTBC variety show "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" on the 6th. Photo by JTBC

President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung stated that they decided to appear on the show to promote K-food, and instead of revealing their refrigerator, they introduced seasonal ingredients such as Korean beef, dried radish greens, deodeok, and radish. President Lee remarked, "While cultural exports like K-pop and dramas are important, the true core of culture is food," adding, "When it comes to exporting Korean culture, food is a major driving force that helps grow the Republic of Korea as an industry."

On the show, President Lee tasted tarakjuk (a pine nut porridge) made by Chef Son Jong-won, one of four traditional Korean snacks called "Ajaajat," and highly praised it, saying, "This is the best I've ever had." He also tried the "Lee Jaemyung Pizza," a dish created by webtoon artist Kim Poong using dried radish greens, and was surprised, commenting, "The cooking seemed playful, but the flavor is no joke."

President Lee Jae-myung appeared on JTBC variety show "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" on the 6th and showed his reaction after tasting writer Kim Poong's dried radish greens pizza. Photo by JTBC YouTube capture

Meanwhile, the episode featuring President Lee and the First Lady, originally scheduled to air on the night of the 5th, was postponed by one day to 10 p.m. the previous night, taking into consideration the mourning period following the death of a Ministry of the Interior and Safety official after the National Information Resources Service fire.