On Netflix, celebrities Jay Park, Lee Joon-gi and Kim Yeon-koung help chef introduce Korean drinking culture to the world on Paik’s Spirit

By Lee Gyu-lee

Celebrity chef Paik Jong-won is set to take global viewers into the world of Korean alcoholic beverages with his new Netflix original show, Paik’s Spirit, which premieres on October 1.

“I have been doing a lot of shows to introduce Korean cuisine up to now, but Korean alcohol is just as good as the cuisine,” says the culinary star during an online press conference for the upcoming show. “There are so many types of [Korean] drinks to introduce to the world.”

For the new talk show, Paik will invite celebrity guests for a meal and drink and share stories about their lives while exploring different types of traditional Korean alcoholic beverages.

The six-part show will feature rappers Jay Park and Loco, star producer Na Young-seok, actors Han Ji-min, Lee Joon-gi and Kim Hee-ae, and star volleyball player Kim Yeon-koung as guests.

“Some of the guests are those I already knew and others I’ve been a fan of. It’s awkward at first, but once we get started on drinks, we get comfortable with each other,” Paik explains. “They are all popular and are people that others aspire to be like. But as we chat over a drink, we loosen up and share our stories which were both touching and taught me a lot.”

The show’s producer, Park Hee-yeon, who previously worked with Paik on tvN’s food show Street Food Fighter and House Cook Master Baek, says this show stands out from Paik’s previous shows as it delves deeper into his personal stories.

“Whereas in Street Food Fighter, Paik would talk alone about foreign cuisine, this show proceeds as he’s grabbing a drink with someone else. People tend to open up about their life, human nature, and their personal spirit over drinks, hence the name of the title,” she explains.

“Up until now, he had been focusing on food and cooking. And this time, Paik introduces alcoholic drinks and describes them in his own words, drawing on his anecdotes,” Park says. She adds that the show will share moments of Paik bonding with the guests through frank conversations over a drink.

The producer said Paik’s extensive knowledge of alcohol gave her the idea to create the show.

“While working with Paik, we had a lot of chances to go out for drinks. And every time we did that, he would share interesting stories about different drinks. And I thought it would be nice if we can share this with more people, which was the start of Paik’s Spirit,” she says.

Paik says: “As I delve into Korean traditional drinks, I realised that a lot of them have a cultural essence, a lot of interesting stories. So I wanted to share them with viewers abroad and show that there is good food in Korea and also good drinks.”