KBS 2TV ‘New Release Pyeonstorang’
‘A man who takes first place whenever he competes.’
Kim Yong-bin of ‘New Release Pyeonstorang’ won on his first attempt.
On the May 8 broadcast of KBS 2TV ‘New Release Pyeonstorang’ (hereafter ‘Pyeonstorang’), the results of a menu battle themed around soup were revealed. While the direct-from-the-source duo Moon Gil-dong and Moon Jung-hee, the nation’s foreign daughter-in-law Yano Shiho, and rookie Pyeon-chef Kim Yong-bin each unveiled their signature soup menus, the honor of winning and being released went to Kim Yong-bin’s ‘Daechang Dakbokkeumtang,’ an upgraded take on his late grandmother’s recipe. With a win on his first attempt, Kim Yong-bin caused a stir.
That day, Kim Yong-bin visited his alma mater, Daegu Suseong Middle School, with his close friend Chu Hyuk-jin. There, they pulled his school records. What first caught the eye was 16-year-old Kim Yong-bin’s striking look with long hair flowing. Then, at the sight of somewhat shocking(?) grades, Kim Yong-bin hurriedly tried to stop it, saying, “I do not think we should look at this.” It also drew laughs when it came out that, although he had gone to the police station during his school days, the reason was volunteer work.
Next, using fresh daechang that the barbecue-restaurant owner’s son Chu Hyuk-jin brought, Kim Yong-bin made ‘Daechang Dakbokkeumtang.’ It is a menu based on the braised chicken recipe his late grandmother used to make for him, with curry powder and toasted soybean powder as the kick. At a sweetness and savor even his close friend Chu Hyuk-jin acknowledged, Kim Yong-bin said, “It seems like the most delicious dish I have ever made,” stoking his drive for first place.
Meanwhile, Yano Shiho visited Namdaemun Market. Her overwhelming top-model presence turned Namdaemun Market into a runway in an instant, stealing all eyes. Many vendors and Korean and Japanese tourists recognized Yano Shiho as well, prompting exclamations of ‘as expected, the nation’s foreign daughter-in-law.’ She also bought a red ginseng gift for her husband Choo Sung-hoon, saying it was “good for stamina(?)”, drawing laughs.
Yano Shiho also remembered her father-in-law, who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest in April 2023. Yano said, “Sarang cried as if collapsing. The trauma lasted about two years,” and added, “It was a huge shock to Choo Sung-hoon as well. After Father passed away, he changed in every direction,” confiding in the changes that came to the family after her father-in-law’s death. She even shed tears at her husband Choo Sung-hoon’s heartfelt confession, “I am always grateful.” In addition, Choo Sung-hoon and Kim Jae-joong made a surprise appearance together, foreshadowing a joint appearance on ‘Pyeonstorang’ and heightening curiosity.
Starting with this battle, the menu evaluation panel’s choices were revealed on the spot. In Round 1, Yano Shiho’s Cashew Nut Samgyetang faced Kim Yong-bin’s Daechang Dakbokkeumtang, and the winner was Kim Yong-bin. In Round 2, Kim Yong-bin’s Daechang Dakbokkeumtang, which had defeated Yano Shiho, went up against Moon Jung-hee’s Perilla-Seed Chicken Gomtang. The championship went to rookie Pyeon-chef Kim Yong-bin’s Daechang Dakbokkeumtang.
Kim Yong-bin said, “I cannot believe it,” and added, “All my life I only received and ate the food my grandmother made, but I made it and won. Thank you for recognizing that heart. It feels like everything in my life is thanks to my grandmother,” sharing his thoughts on the win. Having seized the title on his first try and emerged as a new dark horse of ‘Pyeonstorang,’ attention is on what kind of performance Kim Yong-bin will show going forward.
The ‘Pyeonstorang’ winning menu, Kim Yong-bin’s Daechang Dakbokkeumtang, will be released as a ready-to-eat product on the Ourhome online mall, and it can also be found as a cafeteria menu at Ourhome food-service sites nationwide. KBS 2TV ‘New Release Pyeonstorang’ airs every Friday evening as soon as the ‘Friday Baseball’ broadcast ends.
