A Full Summary of Culinary Class Wars Season 2 So Far
The Contestant Lineup, Highlights from Episodes 1–3, and the Key Controversies
Hey diptok Fam! Ah-Young here, back again! 👋
Lately, I've been seeing everyone asking, "What’s the hype about Culinary Class Wars Season 2?" Today, I’m going to break it down for you. From who’s competing and what happened in the first three episodes to the controversies currently heating up the internet.
What is Culinary Class Wars Season 2?
Culinary Class Wars 2 is a Netflix cooking survival show where "Black Spoons" (hidden masters) and "White Spoons" (star chefs/masters) compete solely on taste. The framework remains largely the same as Season 1. The production team stated their goal was "not to change for the sake of change," but rather to refine the elements people loved in Season 1 while improving the parts that were lacking.
Who are the Contestants This Season?
The "White Spoon" team is being hailed as having an even more "glittering lineup" than before. Some of the most notable names include:
- Lee Jun (Michelin 2-Star)
- Son Jong-won (Michelin 1-Star)
- Seonjae (Buddhist Temple Food Master)
- Hu Deok-juk (Chinese Cuisine Legend)
- Park Hyo-nam (French Cuisine Legend)
- Jung Ho-young, Sam Kim, Raymon Kim (Famous TV Star Chefs)
- Song Hoon (MasterChef Korea Judge)
- Im Seong-geun (Han Sik Dae Cheop Winner)
It’s a massive gathering of Michelin stars, masters, and celebrity chefs all in one place.
What Actually Happened in Episodes 1–3?
This is why people are saying Season 2 is a "dopamine hit" right from the start. The key was the introduction of the 'Hidden White Spoon' mechanism in Round 1.
(1) Round 1: The Black Spoon Qualifying Round
Like the first season, it starts with Black Spoons competing with their "signature dishes." Initially, the number of Black Spoons who could survive to face the White Spoons was set at 18.
(2) The Sudden Entry of 'Hidden White Spoons'
Choi Kang-rok and Kim Do-yun—fan favorites from Season 1—joined as 'Hidden White Spoons.' They were mixed in with the Black Spoons for Round 1, but with a much stricter condition: they had to receive a 'Pass' from both judges, Baek Jong-won and Anh Sung-jae, to move on.
(3) The Survival of Choi Kang-rok and the Shocking Exit of Kim Do-yun
This was the most talked-about moment in the news. Kim Do-yun presented a perilla oil noodle dish (even bringing his own noodle machine), while Choi Kang-rok showcased braised freshwater eel with vegetables. Their fates diverged: Choi Kang-rok passed both judges and moved to Round 2, while Kim Do-yun received a pass from Baek Jong-won but failed to win over Anh Sung-jae, resulting in an immediate elimination.
Because of this twist, the rule for the number of Black Spoons advancing changed from a fixed 18 to a "real-time variable" up to 20, which significantly amped up the tension.
How is Round 2 (1:1 Black vs. White Matchup) Different?
In Round 2, the 'Blind Tasting' element—where judges are blindfolded—is even more emphasized. Additionally, local specialties are introduced as battle ingredients, expanding the show's scope to showcase regional Korean produce. Watching this, it felt like the mission became not just about cooking, but a high-stakes "game of choice."
Any Hot Controversies?
Yes. After the first week's release, one of the biggest issues online has been the molecular gastronomy controversy. Claims surfaced that Chef Shin Dong-min's molecular dish was too similar to a signature dessert from a famous Japanese restaurant, sparking a "plagiarism" debate. Public opinion is split: some say, "Now I understand why he was eliminated immediately," while others argue, "Taking inspiration and modifying it is common in the industry."
Why We Get So Immersed in This Show
When watching Season 2, even though it's a cooking show, your eyes naturally drift toward the people. Without knowing their full career history or why they made certain choices, we judge them based on just a few short scenes. Through one dish, one choice, and one moment, we think, "Ah, this person has this kind of style."
This structure feels familiar because we’ve experienced something similar in the world of anonymity.
It’s the same in random chat. Without photos or profiles, and knowing almost nothing about the other person, you start to 'feel' who they are through just a few lines of text and their reactions. There aren't many chances to explain yourself, and not much time to clear up misunderstandings. In the end, all that remains are the choices of words and the attitude.
Just as a single plate of food represents a person in Culinary Class Wars 2, a few lines of a short conversation represent a person in random chat. Perhaps that's why we find ourselves so focused on the show, and why it feels so natural to discuss every single choice the participants make.
In a place where names are erased, what is ultimately revealed is the choices a person makes—and how they take responsibility for those choices.
I’ll be back with another 100% relatable story next time! Thank you so much for reading this long post!
I hope today's story brought a little peace to your heart. If you need a place to comfortably share these kinds of stories at night, why not start your own honest conversation on diptok?