'Culinary Class Wars' dominates global rankings as anticipation builds for the finale

AKP STAFF

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The influence of Netflix's hit variety show 'Culinary Class Wars' continues to grow, dominating public attention in South Korea and around the globe.

On October 1, episodes 8 to 10 of 'Culinary Class Wars' were released, featuring unique challenges such as a convenience store mission and a panel of 20 popular food content creators as judges. These fresh formats have further fueled the show’s buzz.

Known for its captivating black vs. white chef battles and team competitions, the latest episodes also revealed a revival round and the Top 8 contestants, heightening anticipation for the final winner.

Previously, the blindfolded taste test conducted by judges Baek Jong Won and Ahn Sung Jae generated significant interest, while celebrity chefs like Choi Hyun Seok, Fabrizio, Yeo Kyung Rae, and Oh Se Deuk faced off against rising talents and hidden culinary masters, keeping viewers engaged.

According to Netflix's TOP 10 website, 'Culinary Class Wars' recorded 4.9 million viewing hours between September 23 and 29. It ranked #1 in four countries, including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and made the TOP 10 list in 28 countries. Impressively, it has topped Netflix's Global TOP 10 TV (Non-English) chart for two consecutive weeks since its premiere on September 17.

Additionally, according to Kino Lights, a popular OTT content search platform, 'Culinary Class Wars' maintained a high preference score of 97%, making it the top-ranking variety show of 2024. The show’s popularity even surpassed hit films like 'Officer Blackbelt' and 'I, the Executioner,' as well as the drama 'Love Next Door.'

The series has sparked a wave of fan art and parody content featuring Baek Jong Won’s blindfolded taste tests, while social media has been flooded with rediscovered footage of contestants from past cooking shows. Fans are revisiting Choi Hyun Seok’s appearances on 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator,' Edward Lee’s judging roles on international cooking competitions, and Lee Young Sook’s victory on 'Korean Food War 2,' among others.

Even the contestants’ earlier achievements, such as Bibim King’s viral YouTube clips and 'MasterChef Korea 4' contestant 'Cooking Mania' have gained renewed attention, adding to the growing excitement.

Viewers have shown their enthusiasm with comments like, "I resubscribed to Netflix just to watch 'Culinary Class Wars'," and "I hope my favorite contestant makes it to the end." The show’s impact has extended to real life, with fans booking reservations at contestants' restaurants months in advance. One netizen shared a screenshot showing thousands of people waiting to reserve a table at one of the contestants' restaurants, prompting reactions like, "I also failed to get a reservation" and "Everyone’s curious about the food."

As the show nears its finale, 'Culinary Class Wars' is poised to make a lasting impact on Netflix and the Korean variety show landscape, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of this culinary battle.