Jo Jae-yoon Addresses Chinese Voice Actor Controversy Amid 'King's Chef' Behind-the-Scenes Reveal

Actor Jo Jae-yoon is set to shed light on the behind-the-scenes of the drama 'The King's Chef' and his acting journey, amidst a recent controversy involving a Chinese voice actor.

On the upcoming broadcast of TV Chosun's 'My Own Way - Over-Immersion Club' on the 24th, Jo Jae-yoon will share fascinating stories from his time working on the tvN drama 'The King's Chef'.

He took on the role of Dang Baek-ryong, a chef from the Ming Dynasty, and was required to perform most of his lines in Chinese. Jo Jae-yoon emphasized his dedication, stating, "I had to practice Chinese, cooking, and martial arts, which meant two months of training and one and a half months of filming, dedicating a total of three and a half months to the project."

His script notes were filled with meticulous Chinese annotations. Despite the extensive preparation, he humorously revealed, "Because it was a special appearance, my appearance fee was actually cut," sharing a bittersweet anecdote that elicited laughter.

Furthermore, Jo Jae-yoon, who holds a Korean Cuisine Cook Certificate, performed all the intricate cooking scenes in the drama himself, without the need for a body double. His genuine culinary skills will also be showcased in this episode.

Recently, Jo Jae-yoon found himself embroiled in a controversy due to provocative remarks made by a Chinese voice actor. The voice actor posted online, "Jo Jae-yoon's Chinese was terrible. Even the PD couldn't hold back laughter during recording," which escalated the situation.

Although the post was later deleted, it spread through media reports, leading to criticism that "the actor's Chinese acting was awkward." Some reactions defended Jo Jae-yoon, stating, "It's natural for a Korean actor not to speak Chinese perfectly."

Despite this unnecessary controversy, Jo Jae-yoon, who devoted over 100 days to preparing for the role, expressed his pride as an actor, saying, "Honestly, my fee was reduced, but my passion only grew stronger."

Jo Jae-yoon debuted in 2002 with the film 'The East Sea, The White Sea' and has consistently garnered affection for his distinctive performances in numerous dramas and films. He particularly impressed audiences with his roles in 'Stranger' and 'Hospital Playlist'. He also possesses excellent cooking skills, holding a Korean Cuisine Cook Certificate.