Culinary Class Wars burst onto the scene last year as a massive hit on Netflix, becoming the first Korean reality series to dominate the platform's Global Top 10 (Non-English TV) list for three consecutive weeks and earning accolades as "the most beloved series among Korean viewers" in Gallup Korea's September 2024 survey. The show's innovative blind-tasting format not only captivated global audiences but also breathed new life into Seoul's dining landscape, sparking a surge in restaurant reservations and spotlighting the city's hidden culinary gems.
Capping off its triumphant run, the first season clinched the prestigious Grand Prize at the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards, solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon. Now, with the recent drop of the Season 2 trailer, Netflix is priming fans for an even fiercer battle of flavors set to premiere on December 16.
The trailer teases a ramped-up rivalry between the elite White Spoons—veteran culinary masters judging incognito—and the ambitious Black Spoons, up-and-coming chefs vying for recognition through anonymous tastings that strip away all preconceptions. Signature blind evaluations return as the cornerstone of the competition, ensuring dishes are assessed solely on taste to level the playing field. This season introduces fresh twists, including revised rules designed to intensify the stakes and foster unexpected alliances among contestants. Among the highlights: the comeback of two masked White Spoon chefs hungry for redemption after narrow defeats in Season 1, promising dramatic confrontations and high-pressure kitchen showdowns.
Watch the trailer for Culinary Class Wars Season 2 below:
Anchoring the judging panel, the White Spoon lineup boasts an unparalleled assembly of gastronomic heavyweights, blending Michelin acclaim with decades of specialized mastery. At its core are two-Michelin-starred chef Lee Jun and Son Jong-won, the latter earning a Michelin star apiece for his prowess in both Korean and Western traditions. Adding spiritual depth is Venerable Sunjae, revered as Korea's pioneering authority on Buddhist temple cuisine, while Hou Deok-juk lends his staggering 57 years immersed in the nuances of Chinese cooking. Park Hyo-nam rounds out the veteran contingent with 47 years dedicated to the artistry of French cuisine. The group is further enriched by crowd-favorites like Jung Ho-young, Sam Kim, and Raymon Kim, alongside MasterChef Korea Season 4 judge Song Hoon and Hansik Battle Season 3 champion Im Seong-keun, creating a dream team poised to dissect every plate with unerring precision.
On the flip side, the Black Spoons roster expands with a cadre of bold talents, each armed with evocative monikers that hint at their unique styles and backstories. They include the "Three Star Killer," the "Seochon Prince", "Culinary Monster", "Barbecue Lab Director", "Culinary Innovator", and "Wok Rider". The trailer's glimpses of these competitors in action—frantic prep sessions, tense reveals, and jaw-dropping reveals—underscore a season brimming with underdog triumphs and mentor-protégé clashes.
As Culinary Class Wars Season 2 gears up to serve its next course of unscripted drama, it exemplifies Netflix's unwavering commitment to amplifying Korean unscripted programming, funneling substantial resources into formats that blend cultural authenticity with universal appeal. This strategy has already paid dividends elsewhere, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of Physical: 100—known internationally as Physical: Asia—which maintains a stronghold in Netflix's Global Non-English Top 10 for its third straight week, proving the platform's knack for turning local spectacles into worldwide obsessions.
