Netflix Korea's blockbuster entertainment show Culinary Class Wars is set to return for a second season in the latter half of 2025, Netflix announced on Tuesday. The show, which captivated audiences with intense culinary battles, will once again showcase competition among chefs, continuing its unique format that blends star power with culinary skill.
The first season of Culinary Class Wars premiered on September 17, 2023, and wrapped up on October 8, leaving an indelible mark on viewers with its black team of underdog chefs facing off against the white team of star chefs. Throughout its run, the show made history by becoming the first Korean entertainment series to top Netflix’s non-English language TV rankings for three consecutive weeks.
While specific details regarding the concept, participants, and filming schedule for the second season remain under wraps, producers have hinted at ambitious plans. One of the creators revealed that there is an ongoing discussion to invite celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay for the new season. When asked about the possibility of featuring more international contestants due to the show's global appeal, producer Kim Hak-min emphasized that the focus would remain on the Korean audience. "As a domestic show, it's crucial to maintain our recognition within South Korea. For season two, we’ll be prioritizing how our Korean viewers receive the show," Kim stated during a press interview on Tuesday.
The first season’s success resonated far beyond the screen, with participating chefs experiencing a surge in reservations at their restaurants. The winner's restaurant booking app even crashed after over 110,000 users attempted to access it simultaneously. The popularity of the show, along with its innovative survival challenges, led to millions of views for related memes and parody videos across social media platforms.
With Culinary Class Wars generating significant buzz, the show has also provided a much-needed boost for Netflix Korea, which has struggled to replicate the success of previous mega-hits like The Glory and Squid Game. Industry experts believe the continued success of Culinary Class Wars could lead Netflix to increase its investment in K-entertainment shows.
One anonymous content industry official stated, "While Culinary Class Wars had a production cost of approximately 10 billion won, Gyeongseong Creature had a budget of around 70 billion won. The fact that Culinary Class Wars has proven to be more profitable without relying on expensive computer graphics or star actors demonstrates the potential for higher returns on K-entertainment shows."
As Netflix looks to diversify its content offerings, Culinary Class Wars season two could serve as a critical turning point in its strategy, especially as the company seeks to strengthen its foothold in the competitive Korean entertainment market.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
