'Go Go' seeks to revive cooking shows' popularity

The cast members of tvN’s new cooking variety show “Go Go with Mr. Paik in Kudat” appear at a press conference in Amoris Hall in Times Square, southern Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Onew of SHINee, Jung Chae-yeon of DIA and chef Paik Jong-won. / Courtesy of CJ E&M

By Park Jae-hyuk

“Go Go with Mr. Paik in Kudat,” cable network tvN’s new cooking variety show, premieres Friday, at a time when the majority of cooking shows have recently been losing viewers.

“Through the show, I realized my dream to cook with ingredients normally unavailable in Korea,” said chef Paik Jong-won, a restaurant tycoon, during a press conference at Amoris Hall in Times Square, southern Seoul, Wednesday.

Produced jointly by tvN Korea and tvN Asia, “Go Go with Mr. Paik” will air in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Australia. Subtitles will be provided in English, Chinese, Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian.

Spearheading the cooking variety show trend with MBC’s “My Little Television” last year, Paik has led two other cooking variety shows -- tvN’s “House Cook Master Paik” and SBS’s “Paik Jong-won's Three Great Kings.”

Fans were enthusiastic with Paik who demonstrates simple recipes using easily purchasable ingredients, which were not common on other cooking shows.

However, many imitators arose and viewer ratings gradually decreased amid oversaturation, including JTBC's “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator” or tvN's “Three Meals a Day.”

“I am sick of Paik Jong-won and his eating and cooking shows,” an internet user commented on the show’s official website.

Responding to such remarks, the production crew of “Go Go with Mr. Paik” posted a teaser advertisement titled, “Another Paik Jong-won,” parodying tvN’s popular drama “Another Oh Hae-young.”

Producer Paek Seung-lyong says he strongly supports Paik and trusts Paik’s ability.

“Paik Jong-won has created many neo-concept cuisines and recipes for audiences,” the producer said. “Paik will show recipes that can also satisfy Southeast Asians’ tastes.”

“Go Go with Mr. Paik” is expected to attract idol fans, as Onew of SHINee and Jung Chae-yeon of DIA traveled to Kudat with Paik.

“Go Go with Mr. Paik in Kudat” will air every Friday night at 9:15 p.m.