Baek Jong Won absent from ‘Culinary Class Wars Season 2’ press conference

17 Dec 2025, 15:43 by Demian09 · allkpop

Broadcaster and restaurateur Baek Jong Won did not attend the press conference for Netflix’s original variety series 'Culinary Class Wars Season 2.'

Baek Jong Won, who participates in the program as a judge, was absent from the press conference held on December 17. Fellow judge Chef Anh Sung Jae was also reported to be absent from the event.

The absence of the judges is considered unusual, as judges typically attend press conferences for survival-style programs. According to reports, the event was attended by members of the production team, four White Spoon chefs, and four Black Spoon chefs who survived the first-round Black Spoon elimination. Baek Jong Won is reported to have been in the United States on overseas business at the time of the press conference.

'Culinary Class Wars Season 2' was officially released on December 16. In the newly unveiled episodes, both Baek Jong Won and Anh Sung Jae return as judges, following their participation in Season 1. Returning approximately one year after the first season, which garnered global attention, Season 2 features more formidable Black Spoon chefs and White Spoon chefs who confidently accept challenges from their juniors.

The new season also introduces an unexpected rule change. Two hidden White Spoon chefs join the Black Spoon chefs in the first-round elimination, with all participants evaluated by both judges. The series depicts an intense culinary competition between underdog Black Spoon chefs seeking to overturn the hierarchy through taste alone and South Korea’s leading star chefs, the White Spoons, who aim to defend their status.

Baek Jong Won has previously faced controversy related to product marketing and ingredient labeling issues, after which he announced a suspension of his broadcast activities. As 'Culinary Class Wars Season 2' had already been filmed at the time, he completed production without withdrawing from the program.

He later resumed broadcasting with the November premiere of MBC’s 'Chef of Antarctica,' but has since faced additional scrutiny following complaints regarding a dish featured on the show.

Amid these developments, public attention remains focused on Baek Jong Won’s role in 'Culinary Class Wars Season 2,' which continues to attract strong interest from viewers worldwide. Online responses to his judging have been mixed, with opinions divided between criticism and support as the season continues.

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