MBC's 'Chef of the Antarctic' Faces Extreme Challenges from Episode 1: Baek Jong-won, Im Soo-hyang, EXO's Suho, Chae Jong-hyeop Endure 'Survival Crisis'

MBC's new variety show, 'Chef of the Antarctic,' shocked viewers with unprecedented difficulties right from its premiere episode.

The first broadcast, which aired on the 17th, opened with scenes from the 2024 Sejong Antarctic Station crew. It's known that the 'warm meal' is the only solace for the overwintering team dispatched annually to Antarctica. This season, Baek Jong-won, Im Soo-hyang, EXO's Suho (Kim Jun-myeon), and Chae Jong-hyeop headed to the icy continent.

Despite undergoing rigorous survival training before departure, the cast members couldn't hide their tension, remarking, "We never imagined it would be this complicated and dangerous," and "Antarctica is truly not a place you can visit easily."

After a flight exceeding 31 hours, they reached the transit point for Antarctica, but the real ordeal began there. The first day saw flight cancellations due to blizzards, the second day prevented landing due to icy runways, and the third day was again canceled due to worsening weather. With the schedule repeatedly changing even on the fourth day, the members were dumbfounded.

They expressed their distress, with comments like, "I thought they were filming a hidden camera prank," and "I'm starting to worry we won't be able to get in at all."

Baek Jong-won confessed, "I brushed off the first day, but when the second and third days were also canceled, I felt dizzy. I'm going crazy."

Finally, after waiting for six days, they received permission to land and cheered with joy. However, upon arriving at Sejong Station, they were immediately faced with an unexpected problem: an empty kitchen pantry. This led to worried questions like, "Will we be able to eat today?"

To make matters worse, on their way to the base, a sudden blizzard and high waves completely obscured visibility. The production team immediately halted filming and ordered an evacuation. The scene turned chaotic, with shouts of "We're in big trouble!" and "If we go like this, we could get stranded!"

Im Soo-hyang confessed the terror, saying, "I thought we might die here." Baek Jong-won also shared his realization, "I thought the production team was joking. This is the real Antarctica."

This first episode truly captured the harsh reality of Antarctica, encompassing severe weather, food shortages, and even actual survival threats. With an 'Antarctic version of 'Food Wars'' anticipated, where the crew will develop impromptu menus under extreme conditions, anticipation is high for the 'warm meals' Baek Jong-won and the members will present to the overwintering crew in the freezing South.

Netizens reacted strongly, with comments like, "The scale of the first episode is different," "Even Baek Jong-won can't do anything in Antarctica," and "I'm so curious about the next episode." Many expressed their anticipation for the members' performances in such extreme situations.