MBC's 'Nation's No. 1' Premieres Tonight: Park Na-rae, Moon Se-yoon, and Kim Dae-ho Lead 'Taste War' for Top Korean Beef

MBC's highly anticipated Chuseok special, 'Nation's No. 1' (Jeon-guk 1-deung), is set to ignite the holiday season tonight, September 3rd, at 8:10 PM with a captivating 'taste war'.

Breaking ground with Korea's first 'Specialty Champions League' concept, the show pits the finest Korean beef from Hongseong (Chungnam Province), Anseong (Gyeonggi Province), and Jeju Black Cattle against each other in a prestigious contest for the title of the nation's best.

The premiere episode will showcase exquisite cuts of Korean beef, personally prepared by farmers from the top three regions. A panel of seven connoisseurs—Professor Moon Jung-hoon, Chef Lee Won-il, Culinary Researcher Hong Shin-ae, Creator Mimi Minu, Announcer Jung Young-han, Singer Kim Tae-yeon, and TV personality Patricia—along with 100 audience evaluators, will taste and vote to crown the single 'Nation's No. 1'.

The MCs' hilarious antics are already generating buzz. In Hongseong, Park Na-rae, after tasting barbecue from a massive grill, declared with bold confidence, "If this beef isn't No. 1, I'll bet my entire fortune." Meanwhile, in Anseong, Moon Se-yoon indulged in a full-course meal of beef soup, yukhoe, and grilled meat, exclaiming, "Everyone, we're eating Korean beef with the broadcast station's money!" which sent the set into peals of laughter.

Kim Dae-ho visited a Jeju Black Cattle pasture and enjoyed a full course meal at a campsite, marveling, "You can taste milk and cheese notes in the Black Cattle meat." Moon Se-yoon retorted playfully, "If that's the case, you might as well just drink milk!" prompting explosive laughter in the studio.

A heated debate over the best grilling method unfolded in the studio. Culinary researcher Hong Shin-ae argued for frequent flipping, stating, "You have to flip the meat often. Only flipping twice is risky." Conversely, Professor Moon Jung-hoon insisted, "Never flip until the surface is brown." Chef Lee Won-il, caught in the middle, eventually revealed his own 'secret meat philosophy,' adding to the tension.

'Nation's No. 1' promises more than just a mukbang; it delves into the regional history and pride embedded in Korean beef, adding depth to the program. Viewers will have the chance to discover why a particular cut deserves the top spot.

The ultimate question remains: where will the 100 evaluators' votes fall? The competition is fierce between Hongseong's traditional beef, Anseong's culinary excellence, and the revival story of Jeju Black Cattle. Tune in to MBC's Chuseok special 'Nation's No. 1' tonight at 8:10 PM to satisfy your appetite and captivate your eyes.

Netizens are expressing high anticipation, commenting, 'The perfect program for the Chuseok holiday! Just watching them eat delicious beef will make me happy,' 'Park Na-rae and Moon Se-yoon are a reliable combination, I'm already excited,' and 'Is the No. 1 chosen by viewer votes? I hope it's decided fairly.'