[AK View] Elders with "Unexpected Charm"... Like the Chefs of Black and White Chef

Middle-Aged Chefs Enjoy Peak Popularity
Proving Their Skills and Showing Generosity to Juniors
A Guide to Becoming Truly Respected Elders

Netflix's "Black-and-White Chef 2" concluded its grand finale with the final episode on January 13. The program consistently ranked number one in the series charts with each weekly episode release, generating significant buzz. Unlike season 1, which spotlighted young chefs, season 2 featured seasoned chefs in their 50s to 70s. Chefs like Lim Seonggeun, Monk Sunjae, and Hudeokjuk, all in their later years, showcased unexpected and contrasting charms, becoming so popular that memes about them have spread widely online.

Among them, Chef Lim Seonggeun stands out the most. He is truly a "bundle of surprises," and is currently the number one trending topic among netizens. Chef Lim is often described as "highly skilled, but with an appearance and manner of speaking that unmistakably resembles a con artist." He boasts about being able to make "50,000 different sauces," or whips up dishes in half the allotted time, confidently declaring, "Just taste this and it's over." In team events, he pours corn syrup, vinegar, and soy sauce into a pot without any precise measurement, leaving his teammates in shock. Yet, the real twist follows: when the judges taste his completed dishes, they offer high praise, and even his fellow chefs give a thumbs-up after sampling his sauces.

Monk Sunjae, the first master of temple cuisine, embodies the "surprise of simplicity." With a modest appearance, small frame, and nearly seventy years of age, his recipes are extremely simple. In a competition overflowing with global cuisines and countless cooking techniques, his cutting board looks so bare it almost seems shabby. However, his years of honed skill and experience are what determine victory or defeat. By maximizing the natural flavors of the ingredients through simplicity, his pine nut noodles drew admiration from judge Ahn Seongjae, who said, "This is so delicious. Nothing can beat this."

Chef Hudeokjuk demonstrated "the surprise of leadership." Once the head of the Chinese restaurant "Palseon" at the Shilla Hotel, his sharp gaze and tightly closed lips may seem intimidating, but in reality, he is gentle and generous. Even when someone uses his cherished knife without permission-a tool chefs value as their life-he simply laughs it off, saying, "You use it well, that's all." If the team needs it, he volunteers for the tough job of mixing large quantities of salad. Although he started as a chef and rose to become an executive at a major corporation, he never scolds or lectures anyone on the show. He calmly carries out his tasks and quietly offers only the most necessary advice, exuding the dignity of a true leader.

In fact, the explosive popularity of these senior chefs is closely tied to the question, "What kind of elders do young people respect?" Today’s youth are filled with disappointment toward those who hold social power. They see people who talk a good game but take little responsibility and are reluctant to share. Some believe that the loudest voice wins, complain about not being treated well, and threaten others over trivial matters. Of course, not all elders are like this, but a few who stand out inevitably tarnish the image for everyone else. Perhaps young people find solace in "Black-and-White Chef," quenching their thirst for genuine elders.

So, for those who wish to be addressed as "masters" rather than the derogatory "old-timers," take a close look at the elders in "Black-and-White Chef." Like Chef Lim Seonggeun, take responsibility for your words; like Monk Sunjae, prove your expertise built over many years; and like Chef Hudeokjuk, extend the generosity of a benevolent leader. Show the world your surprising, hidden charms-"Oh? That person is different from how they appear." That is exactly the kind of elder this era is looking for.