Original subtitles

LOS ANGELES, 2001

The chilled octopus salad for table five. How much longer does it need?

Two minutes, Chef.

The octopus is smaller than usual today.

Take it out 30 seconds sooner.

-Remember the perilla oil before serving. -Yes, Chef.

Table two, royal court-style stir-fried meat and vegetables.

Table three says it's too spicy. They want a milder version.

Thank you.

They bragged about being able to handle spices.

Chef. Table two changed their order.

Two braised short ribs instead of boiled pork belly.

Okay, guys. We have two galbijjim for table number two.

-Yes, Chef. -Yes, Chef.

-One more thing, Chef. -Yes?

Someone's here to see you.

-To see me? -Yes.

Who is it? What do they look like?

A woman I've never seen before.

A young Korean woman.

She looks pretty elegant.

She's at table five.

Excuse me?

Jeong-suk.

Dad.

Han.

Han.

Who is that man?

Cheonghyang.

You said your father told you about cheonghyang.

Who is he?

Chris.

What's going on?

What brings you two here at this hour?

You can't be here to see Song-yi or me.

Do you need to

film us here for backup footage?

It's not that.

We came here to give Mr. Park an invitation.

We're inviting all of Haeon's brewers

to come and see the live show.

We were hoping the local traditional liquor makers

could come and make it more special.

It seems we're in your way.

Thank you for the tasting, sir.

I'll let you chat in peace.

You still have more to say?

This liquor has become a relic of the past.

What do you want with it?

You're still mistaken, sir.

I never told you to give up on Jehyangju.

Listen.

Jehyangju is a clear wine

made with locally grown rice and traditional yeast.

And the water?

It must come from Mount Gyesul.

Mr. Park.

I'm not saying you shouldn't make cheongju.

But the recipe can be made more efficient for business--

Enough!

That's enough!

I'm done hearing about businesses and global markets!

I apologize, sir.

I'm well aware

that foreigners think cheongju is a poor imitation of Japanese sake.

Even if we make it clear the traditional way,

in the end…

That's all I have left.

It's time to let them go.

So they get their beautiful ending.

Will you slow down, Chris?

Can you tell me what's going on?

What do you mean?

You haven't said a word since we left Mr. Park's house.

Ever since you talked to Ms. Yoon Jeong-suk.

Do you know each other?

Why did she ask about your father?

-Chris. -Song.

Let's hurry back. We have a lot to do.

What is going on?

What are you hiding?

Chris.

I want to know. Tell me.

Talk to me, Chris.

-Chris! -That's enough, Song!

Why do you want to know?

Because I'm worried.

I'm worried about you, Chris.

You didn't explain anything the day you collapsed or the day after.

Anyone could tell you didn't faint because of anemia.

Also, I asked why you changed your mind and decided to join the competition

despite the penalty for breach of contract.

You still haven't

given me an answer.

Chris.

I want to know.

I want to be of help to you.

Tell me, Chris.

It's not time yet.

Not just yet.

Chris.

Did you enjoy your nap?

Please take me there.

Please let me see him just once.

Take me to my dad.

Please!

What's that?

It's red onion tea.

It'll help warm you up.

Onion tea?

You can make tea with onions?

It's a great way to ward off a cold.

My dad made it for me often when I was young.

How is it?

I like it. I feel better already.

I'm sorry…

about earlier.

I pushed you too hard.

Chris.

It makes no difference to me

whatever your reasons may be.

To me,

you matter the most.

Whatever happens,

I believe in you, Chris.

In Famiglia's captain.

Where did I put my pants?

You asked me to wash your clothes with mine.

-What? -What's wrong?

The talisman.

My talisman!

"Talisman"?

Song!

My talisman.

I need to get it.

-It can't get damaged. -Wait.

Are you insane? You'll break the machine. It'll leak.

I need to get it out right now.

I can't be without it.

Wait until the cycle is done.

Take it easy, okay?

No! I can't.

No!

What do you mean?

A change in teammates?

I'm flustered too, Ms. Seon.

I thought he was joking at first.

Does he think TV is a joke?

Why the switch? Did you ask Chef Cha Woo-jin?

The thing is,

Chef Bae Yeong-su himself asked the writers to have him replaced.

He said he lost his confidence.

What?

I think he got a bit antsy under a lot of pressure.

Who does he want instead?

Chef Michael Jang is on his way right now.

What should we do?

There's nothing we can do if he's asked to be replaced.

We even allowed Hush to recruit Isabel, who started off as a competitor.

Understood.

Ms. Seon!

-You can go. -Okay.

Is everything going well?

Are there any problems or issues?

No, everything's fine, ma'am.

Okay. Good.

What a lovely set.

Is there something you want to say?

What?

Oh, well… No.

Over here, Director Choi.

Here you are, Ms. Baek.

Say hi.

This is Director Choi Sang-hyeon. You know him well, don't you?

Well… Yes.

Long time no see, Ms. Seon.

Are you doing well?

Yes, I'm doing great. It's been a while, sir.

What are you doing here?

Oh, I called him over for tomorrow's live broadcast.

Pardon?

It's been a long time since you worked on a live show.

When it comes to a live show,

Choi Sang-hyeon here is the best.

The other team will handle the live show?

Aren't they here as our backup?

They came as backup, but I told them to take over.

You have to edit the first half of the program for tomorrow

and get things set up for the live broadcast.

You have so much on your plate,

and you want to direct a live show from the back of a truck too?

That's way too much work for you.

Join the audience and enjoy the live show with the other producers.

Live shows are Director Choi's bread and butter.

Trust him.

Trust him and let him do his job.

You can't do this without discussing it with me.

The chief producer of this show

is me.

How could you make the call without running it by me?

Ms. Seon.

Remember how I offered to send a team to back you up?

I'm actually doing you a favor here.

This is not a favor to me

or my team.

And I'm sure it had nothing to do with the program.

I won't let anyone else do my job.

What?

The director of this program

is me.

I will direct the show as planned,

Ms. Baek.

Jeong-won.

You seem to have it all very wrong.

Who directs what show is up to me, not you.

Do you think you're some hotshot

because Chairwoman Moon favors you?

Is that it?

Is it?

What? A live broadcast team?

I'm sorry about that.

This is utter nonsense.

We must hand over our script

so another team can take over the live show?

TV is no joke.

Do you think you can work with a team you just met today?

I won't be directing.

The CEO hired a freelancer to take over.

Choi Sang-hyeon.

Who? Choi Sang-hyeon?

I can't believe even mere employees challenge me now!

If I had my way, I'd just--

What's this noise?

Are you snoring?

You fell asleep?

Get out of there.

Okay.

-Get out already! -On it, ma'am.

You're okay, right?

Nothing hurts?

No. I'm fine. Nothing hurts, Ms. Baek.

-We're leaving in ten. Get ready. -Okay.

Call housekeeping and have the room cleaned up!

Of course, Ms. Baek.

-Hyeong-koo! -Yes?

This is yours.

Take it with you.

Right. I should.

Sorry. I was a bit out of it.

My bad.

I'll take it with me.

Here I go again.

I can feel my anger building!

Nice and cold.

I like it.

It's very nice.

Good job, Mr. Jeon. You did a good job.

Thank you, Ms. Baek.

Do your thing, Director Choi.

Let's put on a marvelous show.

Don't you worry.

I'll give you something good.

Okay.

What should I do?

What?

I'm so excited.

I'm so excited, I can hardly wait.

What do I do?

What should I do? This will be so much fun.

What do I do? What now?

Wait. Where do we go from here?

Don't we cross the road over there?

-That way? -Yes.

No. It's this way.

-This is it. -Is it?

FORTUNES, NAMING, LOVE, MARRIAGE, PROPERTY

-Master Suit. -We found him.

MASTER SUIT ON HOLIDAY UNTIL AUG. 24

What rotten luck.

He's on holiday? Until when?

I can't believe this. Why now?

Okay.

It can't be helped.

No.

They need a detailed story to draw a talisman that works.

Yes, Auntie.

Okay. Thanks for trying.

Why did I ask him to wash my clothes?

What should I do now?

I don't want anyone to get hurt.

Excuse me.

Do you have to keep following and filming me?

We don't have much footage taken outdoors.

We were told to film as much as possible if anyone left the training center.

That's not good.

I have to take care of an important and sensitive business.

It's all about personal privacy, you see.

Could you give me about two hours?

I'll call you when I'm done.

Wait somewhere with a cold beverage.

What?

Please and thanks.

No, wait.

You want what? A talisman?

Young lady.

A talisman won't cut it.

A nasty-tempered ghost is sitting on top of your head.

A paper talisman?

That won't help at all.

Yes. I was told that already.

The situation I'm in right now is…

You need a ritual.

Twenty million won should cover it.

By tomorrow?

It can't be drawn in one go.

Drawing a talisman is serious work.

If you're short on time,

pick one out from the library.

What?

There's a library for talismans?

Of course there is. There's one for every occasion.

Pick one out, and I can draw it for you in an hour.

Look here.

Marriage. Love.

And these here. Improved finances and promotions.

Hold on. You need something to ward off bad luck.

The misfortune-transferring talisman. Where did I put it?

Misfortune transfer. Where's the M tab?

Let me see…

Draw three lines in a twisted formation on the left,

then draw a corner.

You see…

I used to work at a stock trading firm.

I only recently became a shaman.

-I lack experience with talismans. -What?

Sorry.

You're not into stocks, are you?

MISFORTUNE-REPELLING TALISMAN

These days, artificial intelligence does everything for you.

Hello.

Oh, hello.

Other than some published books,

most of the materials here aren't digitized.

You can only access them here.

Oh, I see.

Take your time.

They're all very precious materials, so you can't take them with you.

You're welcome to take photos though.

Sure. I understand.

-Bye then. -Thank you.

"TO LOSE A LIQUOR MEANS TO LOSE ALL ITS HISTORY"

"Made only with water from Mount Gyesul,

rice, and homemade nuruk, the traditional fermentation starter."

"He revived a native rice that disappeared during the Japanese colonial period

and used it to produce Jehyangju."

"He dedicated his life to making cheongju."

"The last remaining cheongju brewer in Haeon County."

"He produced his final batch last winter."

"He relinquished his Intangible Cultural Heritage status."

This is why he said he doesn't make it anymore.

TRADITIONAL LIQUOR, REDESIGNED

Distilled liquor.

"Distilled liquor production first began in the Goryeo era

when distilling techniques were introduced by the Yuan Dynasty."

"Andong and Jeju Island served as the Yuan force's base

for their campaign against Japan, and the soju breweries they left…"

"Cheongju is a clear, refined rice wine."

"Rather than adding more ingredients,

they use three main ingredients

to produce a rich yet subtle aroma and a clean taste."

"In the Joseon era, families began passing down their recipes,

heralding the era of home-brewing."

"Home-brewing was banned during the Japanese colonial period,

and so many such recipes died out."

"True cheongju must only be made with rice, water, and traditional nuruk."

"It must mature for a certain period

to develop its uniquely clean yet delicate taste and aroma."

"Rice, water, and traditional nuruk."

"Matured for a certain period."

THE TABLE CAMERAMAN KIM HYEONG-JUN

-Yes, hello? -Hello, Chef.

I'm outside the traditional liquor museum.

Oh, good.

Come in. I'm in the reference library.

The thing is,

I need to film you entering the museum.

If you don't mind, could you meet me at the main entrance?

Film me going into the main entrance?

Yes.

It has to look like you're visiting for the first time.

That's what TV shows are like.

Okay, I understand.

I'll meet you outside.

Okay, bye.

Filming for a TV show is pretty complicated work.

YAKJU, 100, YAKJU

YAKJU, 100, YAKJU

YAKJU, 100, YAKJU

It's the maturation period.

The display shows how different the liquor looks

before and after 100 days of maturation.

Authentic cheongju must mature for over 100 days after it's filtered.

That's how it gets its characteristic light green color.

One hundred days…

CANNOT ADDRESS HIS FATHER AS "FATHER"

Maturation period of cheongju.

One hundred days.

By the way,

next to the number 100 was the word yakju.

It didn't say cheongju.

Oh, about that…

According to the Liquor Tax Act,

wine made in Korea isn't called cheongju.

What?

Only Japanese sake can be called cheongju.

Even if the rice wine is made with the same cheongju technique,

anything that was made in Korea is labeled yakju.

Why is that?

Does that mean there's no traditional Korean cheongju?

Something like that.

It's a great shame, but that's the reality.

Even if we make amazing cheongju,

we don't get to call it by its real name.

Thank you.

CHEONGJU, RICE, NURUK, WATER

"Made only with water, rice, and nuruk."

"Rather than adding more ingredients…"

Rather than adding more?

Minus is bigger than plus.

Bigger? More of?

You subtract more than you add?

Take out rather than put in?

One hundred days.

Authentic cheongju must mature for over 100 days after it's filtered.

That's how it gets its characteristic light green color.

"Cannot address his father as 'Father.'"

Only Japanese sake can be called cheongju.

Even if the rice wine is made with the same cheongju technique,

anything that was made in Korea is labeled yakju.

It's a great shame, but that's the reality.

Even if we make amazing cheongju,

we don't get to call it by its real name.

We can't call cheongju what it really is.

Just as how Hong Gil-dong couldn't address his father as "Father."

I found it.

I found it.

The liquor for the next mission.

If the mission really is about cheongju, we have to redo the whole menu.

Do you think the other teams know it's cheongju?

Should we tell them what we know?

What if you're wrong?

Then everyone will blame us.

Even if you're right, there are dozens of kinds of cheongju.

And they're all minutely different.

It has to be

a cheongju produced in this area.

Something that suits

Haeon County's local ingredients.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have brought us this far.

The rice and water from here.

And the wild nuruk from here.

A rice wine made with all those ingredients.

A cheongju with Haeon's cheonghyang.

Jehyangju.

NEW MESSAGE

We'll reveal the main ingredients you can use in tomorrow's mission.

All head chefs, please gather

in Haeon Elementary School's gym at midnight tonight.

THE TABLE: K-CHEF 2026 MIDNIGHT, DAY OF ROUND 3

You're all here.

As I informed you at the last shoot,

the star of this mission is liquor.

So your dishes must complement the liquor, not simply serve as good snacks.

The ingredients before you

were grown and harvested here in Haeon.

If you wish to brine meat,

make sauces to sit overnight,

make oils with specific herbs,

or take anything to cook with the sous vide method,

please take whatever you need from the pantry.

Tomorrow's cooking mission will air live.

No one knows what will happen.

Stay alert and be on guard.

I wish you all…

the best of luck.

Hae-seon. It's your first live appearance.

Here's something for your nerves.

Look forward to tomorrow's competition.

HERBAL RELAXANT

SANGJU RICE

I need to know what the liquor is to know what ingredient to take.

Do you like the scope of the main camera?

The scope… Widen it a bit.

Widen the main camera scope a bit.

I'll make lotus flower oil and pine needle oil.

Song said

Jehyangju smelled of lotus flowers.

The taste and aroma

reminded her of lotus blossoms.

Isn't that too big a risk?

What if it's not Jehyangju?

And how can you be sure it smelled of lotus flowers?

It will be Jehyangju.

They will serve it.

You actually believe that girl?

The smell of lotus blossoms?

A cheongju made only with rice can't have any distinctive aroma.

You know that too.

Get a grip.

Don't let a novice's hunch sway you.

Chris.

I trust Song's instincts.

Do as you wish.

Chris!

Chris. Chris!

Chris.

Chris.

You're awake.

We're at the hospital.

Don't overdo it. Lie back down.

I'm fine.

How long was I here for?

About 15 minutes.

You passed out cold. You don't just have anemia.

They suspect postural hypotension.

-They want to run tests-- -No.

I don't need tests.

Chris.

Chris. Wait.

What's going on?

I have myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis?

I'm fine most of the time.

But all of a sudden,

my muscles can go stiff and numb.

It can't be cured here.

Actually…

There's no cure anywhere.

Don't worry.

It acts up only rarely.

So…

Ms. Seon.

Please don't tell anyone.

Do that for me.

Please.

Until the competition's over.

All this took a surprising amount of effort.

There were no labels, so I couldn't tell which was which.

Tell Chris to check when he gets back.

I will.

The bellflower and wild grape enzymes were really hard to find.

They were hidden in the far corner.

Thank you so much.

Why did that shaman have to go on holiday right now?

You couldn't find another talisman nearby?

No.

It was harder than I thought.

Don't worry too much, Song-yi.

It's just one more day.

I'm sure you'll be fine without the talisman.

Right.

That must be Chris.

-Chris! -My gosh. Are you okay?

Well…

He rolled his ankle on the gym steps.

He lost his balance.

On the steps?

Were you badly hurt?

No. I just sprained my ankle.

It was a bit dark.

I really am okay.

A hot towel will patch me up in no time.

Can we go inside?

Thanks for your help.

I have myasthenia gravis.

It can't be cured here.

Please don't tell anyone.

Do that for me.

What are you talking about?

What about me and Chris K.?

Was that…

too personal a question?

Woo-jin. What on earth…

What got into you?

What more could we be other than a director and a contestant?

A director and a contestant?

I don't think that description is apt when you two were walking arm-in-arm.

That was because I…

You got the wrong idea.

Then explain it to me.

Help me understand.

I don't think

I'm being overly sensitive about the issue.

I believe you know

exactly how I feel about you.

But the thing is,

sometimes…

I wonder.

Did you cast me in a supporting role

for Chris K.'s splendid finale?

Or did you cast Chris K.

as an obstacle I must overcome for a dramatic ending?

Of these two,

I sometimes wonder which script you're working with.

Of course,

to get my answer…

we both must pass today's round.

If we get eliminated,

we'll never know the answer.

What an idiot.

That was so stupid.

THE TABLE: K-CHEF 2026 CHAT ROOM

-That's different. -They'll continue with a live show?

-No editing then? -That's crazy.

Your skin looks extra smooth today.

The makeup is sitting so well.

Is it really?

You look amazing today, ma'am.

Are you unwell, Ms. Seon? You look a bit gaunt.

I'm fine.

I didn't sleep well last night.

You didn't?

The live broadcast will start soon.

You made it.

Hi.

Are you ready?

Yes, almost.

I'll get back to the set then.

Already?

Will you watch from the broadcasting van?

A senior director is handling the live broadcast.

If I were to stick around, he'd feel uncomfortable.

I'll be among the audience.

That's a good idea.

Enjoy the show for once.

I will.

Take care.

I really wanted to meet you.

In real life, you're just…

You're so good-looking.

My eyes can't take it!

Relax. I'm here to wish you luck.

One day,

I hope to see you again in private.

As always,

I look forward to seeing your work.

Seize the day.

Let's go, Hyeong-koo.

Counting down to the live show.

Ten. Nine.

Eight.

THE TABLE: K-CHEF 2026

It's the promised time!

The third round of The Table: K-Chef 2026.

For the next two hours,

you'll witness

the first-ever live cooking competition in the history of Korean TV!

ROUND 3 YOU ARE MY DESTINY

All right.

"You are my destiny."

As mentioned earlier in Part One, this round's mission is to prepare

a spread to pair with a traditional Korean liquor.

"What liquor will the teams be given?"

In other words, "What liquor will be the star of the mission?"

These questions must have plagued you for the last five days.

What liquor do these confusing hints point to?

The chefs in the back had five days to prepare.

Do you think they figured out the name of the liquor?

Did they manage to prepare the perfect spread that complements it?

As you all know, for this round,

two chefs teamed up to work together.

That means two restaurants will be named in today's elimination, not just one.

Not to mention, all this is going out live.

L-I-V-E.

I hope the chefs compete in this round with a special level of commitment.

Let's find out today's mission that these three hints point to!

The traditional liquor that these hints indicate!

It's time to reveal what it is.

I will reveal what it is!

Here we go…

Bring up the photo.

But before we do that,

how about we take a break?

What?

-What's this? -It's better than a commercial break.

Okay, everyone.

Please take a close look at the photo on the screen.

Our crew managed to find some old photos.

I must say, it was extremely hard work.

They are

childhood photos of some of the competing chefs.

We didn't get photos of everyone.

There's no need to worry too much.

I suggest we play a little game

so everyone can loosen up

before the intense cooking competition.

Okay then.

Here's the first quiz.

What is this?

Was this in the original script?

No.

It wasn't.

Something isn't right.

The little boy in this photo

is one of the six head chefs here today.

This was taken before he started school,

so he does look very different now.

If you can get past the bowl cut

and notice the sharp nose

and confident gaze,

you should be able to tell who this is.

Take a close look.

Do you see one of the head chefs in this photo?

Chefs. Do any of you know who this is?

I know!

Yes. Chef Isabel.

You know the answer?

The little boy in this photo.

Who is it, Chef Isabel?

Chef Cha Woo-jin?

Chef Cha Woo-jin?

With this bowl cut?

Cha Woo-jin

is the correct answer!

The cute boy in this photo

is Chef Cha Woo-jin.

Here's the next photo.

Please look at the screen.

What is this?

Is this one too difficult?

No one is raising their hand to answer.

Yes, Chef Park Je-hyeon from Bingsak.

Joshua?

Joshua?

That is incorrect!

Chef Yang Ja-ryong from Golden Dragon.

Chris!

Isn't it Chef Chris K.?

Chris K.?

Chris K.?

That is correct, Chef Yang Ja-ryong!

All right.

The little boy in this photo is Chris. K.

It can't be.

By the way, Chris.

Our team did some research.

The man in this photo.

He's very famous.

That man is

the grandson of Kang Si-hu, the royal head chef to Emperor Gojong,

the last ruler of the Korean Empire.

His name is Kang San.

Tell us, Chris.

Why was he standing next to you?

May I ask

who he is?

Is he perhaps…

your birth father?

Chris.

Is he your birth father?

CANNOT ADDRESS HIS FATHER AS "FATHER"

That man…

is indeed…

my father, Kang San.

What an emotional family reunion.

Congratulations, Hae-seon.

No.

Chairwoman Moon.

Hae-seon!

That man is your father?

Then…

Your Korean name.

What is it, Chris?

Chris.

Your Korean name.

What is it?

Chris.

Your Korean name.

What is it?

Chris.

Chris.

My name is…

Kang Han.

Have you forgotten?

Pyeongyeon killed your father. We must beat them.

Remember just two things in this round.

Memory and imagination.

-Are there any more surprises? -Think you're the only serious one?

I can't do it, Chris.

You have a great sense and instinct.

Trust me.

-You said he could die. -Dad!

The owner of Famiglia…

Wake up.

-Chris! -It isn't me

or anyone else.

It's you, Choi Song-yi.

Subtitle: Jennifer Jean Lim