Series to land in a prime-time weekend slot as JTBC grapples with financial woes
JTBC’s "Final Table" is a new venture, and one of the first Korean dramas to blend a scripted narrative with a reality variety show formula.
The upcoming 12-episode series, set to premiere on Saturday, stars "KPop Demon Hunters" breakout star Ahn Hyo-seop as Kang Han, a prodigy chef battling for the title in the fictional elite culinary competition "The Table: K-Chef 2026."
Instead of relying solely on the standard narrative, director Kim Do-hoon said he experimented with a new hybrid format by blurring the line between drama and variety show. The series weaves a realistic culinary competition and mockumentary-style interviews into the scripted storyline.
“There was no established formula to follow (for such a unique format),” Kim said at a press conference in Seoul on Thursday.
“A viewer might turn on the TV thinking it’s a reality show, recognize an actor and assume it’s a drama, and then feel pulled right back into a variety format. It’s an unprecedented experiment, and we knew this was the moment to try it," he said.
Finding the right balance between the two formats proved to be one of the production’s biggest challenges. Kim said he was constantly weighing how many of the variety show elements to incorporate without undermining the narrative.
“If we showed too much of the variety show format, viewers expecting a drama might find it repetitive. On the other hand, if we focused too heavily on the drama, those looking forward to a cooking competition might not enjoy it," Kim said, adding he worked to find a middle ground that would appeal to audiences drawn to both formats.
Following the announcement of the show’s premise — chefs from diverse backgrounds compete for the coveted title of Korea’s culinary master — comparisons to Netflix’s mega-hit “Culinary Class Wars” were inevitable.
Kim acknowledged that dodging these parallels was impossible, and admitted that the hit reality show was on his mind during production.
“It would be a lie to say I wasn’t conscious of ‘Culinary Class Wars,’” Kim said.
“I actually started preparing my project first, but that show came out before ours. Every time we worked on something, people kept bringing it up, which was frustrating. It undeniably added pressure.”
Yet ironically, it was “Culinary Class Wars” that provided Ahn with key inspiration for his character.
“I studied the chefs’ attitudes, facial expressions and subtle gestures (via the program),” Ahn said. “What struck me most was how remarkably calm they stayed under pressure. I focused on channeling that composed energy to make my performance both as professional and believable as possible.”
Beyond its creative ambitions and media comparisons, “Final Table” arrives at a critical turning point for JTBC. The series will be the broadcaster’s first weekend drama premiere in two months as the network navigates severe financial distress. The network declared a default in June after failing to repay 20.6 billion won ($15.6 million) in asset-backed loans at maturity. It plans to issue a corporate sale notice next month.
Asked about the added pressure of launching the series under these circumstances, Kim said the weight of the responsibility was difficult to put into words.
“All I can do is give everything I have. I truly hope our series can offer the network some relief, even if only in a modest way," Kim said.
At its core, though, Kim insists, the project was born not out of corporate strategy, but out of genuine admiration for culinary artistry.
“I’ve spent years wondering how to translate the intense lives of chefs into a dramatic narrative,” Kim said.
“We didn't set out to prepare an overly elaborate feast. Instead, we crafted a thoughtful meal filled with sincerity, and I hope viewers pull up a chair and enjoy this humble table.”
yoonseo.3348@heraldcorp.com