Original subtitles

Touring 8 countries, it must be long since you left Seoul.

It's been over 20 days.

Any troubles with the food?

I miss Korean food very much.

I see.

You didn't have to...

I've prepared some food to suit your tastes.

Try some.

Thank you.

How does it taste?

It's absolutely delicious.

A taste of the old with something new.

It's hard to find something like this even back home.

Is that so?

The profound taste of our Bulgogi and Kimchi is amazing.

It's Yakiniku and Kimuchi,

representative Japanese food.

I'm glad you like it.

May I ask who made this food?

They were all quite pleased.

Chef?

They were all very pleased.

Congratulations, ma'am.

Yedang Entertainment and Trophy Entertainment present

In association with Lotte Entertainment

An Iroom Pictures production

KIM Jung-eun

JIN Goo

WANG Ji-hea Executive Producers CHOI Joon-young, KIM Hong-sub

Producers CHOI Joon-young, CHOI Chang-won

Co-producer LEE Sung-hun Original story by HUR Young-man

Written by SHIN Dong-ik, BAEK Dong-hoon

Directed by BAEK Dong-hoon, KIM Gil-hyung

LE GRAND CHEF 2 KIMCHI BATTLE

Hey, Woo-ju! You grew so much. Here's something for ya.

Sung-chan!

My husband lost his appetite and isn't eating much.

- No way! - Really.

Loss of appetite... Let's see. Beefsteak plant should work.

Decoct this and have him drink a cup every morning.

The scent will help secret gastric juice.

and increase your appetite

and help you digest better.

- Thanks. Here. - Thank you.

Is your daughter studying hard for her SATs?

She's got no energy, can't sleep,

and have trouble waking up.

I got just the thing!

Jujubes from Bo-eun fit for the king's table!

- Try it! - Really?

This helps relieve tension.

It'll work like a charm on her.

Yes, Dr. Sung-chan.

You sure you don't want to run a restaurant with me?

Then the other ladies will be jealous.

That's right.

Excuses!

And I have to keep going around the country.

Who else will protect everyone's health...

That's right.

but me?

The government announced to hold a Kimchi Contest

"KIMCHI CONTEST TO BE HELD"

to reaffirm Kimchi

has originated from our country.

Now, they get it.

- What? - Nothing.

Please continue. Why Sang-ju dried persimmons are so good.

This is a lump of vitamins.

It helps with hangovers, low energy, and...

Forget all that! Most important!

It's awesome on men's sexual stamina.

Nature made Viagra!

Ah, excuse me.

Yes, Chief?

Did you see the news?

About the Kimchi contest?

Yes. Where's Sung-chan?

Why are you asking me?

Then who else would I ask?

We got plenty of sunshine this year. It's pretty sweet.

- It's the best! - Of course.

I'll take 30 bundles.

- Sure. - And a box of half-dried ones, too.

- Half-dried ones? - Yes.

- Mr. Kim! - Yes?

Why does he get so startled when I call him?

Get me a box of half-dried persimmons, too.

Yes, sir.

Is he new?

He's not from around here.

Where'd he say he's from?

He's a good man. I'm lucky to have good workers.

It was an honor serving with you.

If you ever need me, I'll come right over.

It was an honor for me, too.

I heard it's a beautiful place.

What in the name of Kimchi!

Over my dead body! No way!

Just a moment! Arnold?

35% owned by Dong-ju Bank.

25% owned by Sejong Securities.

And 20% owned by... Korean Federation of Community Credit.

What belongs to you is...

this front gate and a couple of trees here.

Why you little!

Watch it! This is expensive.

Ma'am? Try to convince him, ma'am.

You never know what can happen.

Did I give you my card?

Yes, I have it. We'll call you.

Have a nice, good day!

Get lost.

I'm home!

Who was that? We're closed today?

You show up in 6 months and that's all you have to say?

Hello, sir. I'm home, Mother.

It's good to see you.

I wanted to come but business

has been really busy. Sorry.

You missed me, Mother?

Good to see you, too, Jin-soo.

Hello. I'm so hungry, ma'am.

You two are the same.

You never show without Sung-chan.

Want some Kimchi mixed noodles?

I dreamed about your noodles these days.

Wash up while I make it.

Yes, Mother.

Hold still!

Eat slowly, you'll choke.

What did you put in here? I've never tasted anything so good!

Why can't I make it this good?

You really don't know?

It's all in the Kimchi.

Thinly sliced ripe Kimchi.

But you! Your Kimchi is too bitter.

You mean it's spicy, right?

It's so good.

- Are you sick? - It's just cold medication.

When did you close this place?

About two weeks ago.

I'm sorry. I should've been here.

It's okay.

I just feel so bad sending our regular customers away.

Someone's at the door.

Those fools!

I'll get them.

Take that!

Jang-eun?

You haven't changed a bit in ten years, Mom.

Still graceful. And still pretty. I changed a lot, haven't l?

You're the same. Pretty as always.

No, I've changed a lot. But I like it now, better.

Those who wouldn't let me hold a knife in the kitchen

cuz I'm a girl...

can't even look me in the eyes now.

That's the way Koreans are.

Making stupid traditions and customs as they wish...

But still how could you not come once in 10 years?

And what did you do to help Mom?

Well... Now you can be in charge of Chunyang-gak and help out.

With your talents you'll...

Mom's sick cuz of this place.

So forget this place and travel and stuff.

I'll take care of everything.

That's why I came back. To be here with you, Mom.

No more restaurants. Forget it.

How about some fruit?

Can you tell me about Sung-chan's birth mother?

Why all of a sudden?

He seems more like a son than her real daughter.

Always so curious.

Oh, look at the time!

I have so many people wanting to meet me.

I'll come back tomorrow.

- Jang-eun. - Yes?

I read the letter you sent.

But... Not Chunyang-gak.

What do you mean?

You're not trying to change this place but to get rid of it.

Fine. Let's talk later.

I can't stand this place.

Your Gisaeng days isn't

the only thing that hurt me.

Tell me! How was I born?

You didn't have me out of love.

You know how sick that makes me feel? How filthy that makes me?

I'll tear the place down and start over!

You're not just a woman... but my mother.

And I'm your only daughter.

Leaving so soon? You'll come back, right?

Seeing you reminds me of our cook offs.

I didn't stand a chance back then.

Yeah, I remember playing with you like that.

We didn't have any other friends.

Don't try and stop me.

Even if the whole world does, you can't do that to me.

But this place is our home.

It played a part in you becoming a great chef.

You think this place is still left in my cooking?

Maybe it's in you, but not me.

I'm resetting all the tables. I'll start from there.

Don't worry. It'll all work out.

Look.

She's going to build something like this.

The head chef of the Japanese Prime Minister's residence.

Never would've guessed she's your sister.

Here with me today is...

Chef Jang-eun who became the best in Japan despite prejudices.

Pleased to meet you.

It must've been hard to step down.

Is there a special reason why

you're entering the Kimchi contest?

I couldn't neglect our native food

falling behind in the flow of globalization any longer.

Why don't you enter the Kimchi contest?

You can win reward money

and Kimchi rights to government restaurants to be made worldwide.

It'll be a chance to show Chunyang-gak Kimchi to the world.

Then paying off the debts will be easy.

I don't like cooking contests.

It feels like I'm being judged like a criminal on my cooking.

Isn't it uncomfortable being judged

when you're such a renowned chef?

No. I tend to enjoy it.

It's like studying hard for a test, then waiting for the scores.

I guess you can relax and enjoy the contest.

Of course not. I have to do my best

in finding the ingredients to making new recipes.

There are many hidden masters in the world.

Then I guess the winner of the Kimchi contest is already set.

Not man enough to even try...

Close your eyes. Hands up if you don't have a father.

Close your eyes!

Jang-eun, you don't have a dad?

Didn't you know? She doesn't even know who he is.

How can you not know who your father is?

She's a Giseng's daughter!

- She's a Giseng's daughter! - Don't play with Jang-eun.

She has no roots.

She doesn't even know who her dad is.

Try and deceive my eyes... But you can't fool my tongue.

What?

- Hello, sir. - Hello.

Hi.

It's a crime to lie about where the produce is from.

Lie? What if it's written correctly?

Call someone and check.

I'm an expert. You don't get it, do you?

I can close this place down.

- Who are you? - It's Korean.

- The cabbage is from Hae-nam. - Yes, that's right.

Korean cabbages from Hae-nam are sweeter and bigger.

The cabbage may be from here but the seasoning's Chinese.

Chinese powdered pepper is redder than ours.

You can tell just by looking. It's Korean.

Chinese Kimchi has too many pepper seeds.

And the cabbage is less crunchier and mushy tasting.

- Try it again. - Forget it.

We don't fool around with the food here.

See? No reason to spend so much on every side dish.

Of course there is.

Korean...

My regular customers.

Hey, checkered shirt!

BAE Sung-chan, son of Mrs. Lee of Chunyang-gak.

Always right on time.

Always here from 9:30 to 10:00 a. m.

I think I can get through to you.

My name's just Sung-chan.

I'm not trying to threaten you here.

I can't get through to the old folks.

But precise people like us can talk. Dialogue, you know?

We're working day and night

to turn the neighborhood into a kick ass place.

Kick ass?

You like that? Just kidding.

Anyway. Call me.

Let's go.

It's laminated. Have a nice day!

I'll take care of that man.

You work on Jang-eun, Mother.

It's okay. I have so much debt...

If it's time to go...

I should do what she wants.

Are you closed today?

The door was open. Are you closed today?

I'm sorry. We're closed for the moment.

Mother will be so disappointed.

We came from the States.

What do we do?

Everyone came together for my Father's anniversary of death.

We had so many memories in this place.

Escort them in.

There aren't many side-dishes, will that be okay?

Let's all eat! Have some, Mother.

Eat slowly. You'll choke.

It was before you came here.

She said she always wanted to eat here once.

She came for her first son's birthday.

She ordered one meal and fed three children.

I felt bad and gave her a few extra dishes.

She didn't forget and came back.

Once a year for over 1 0 years until she moved to the States.

Being unable to be here for the customers any longer is...

what hurts the most.

You sure you don't want some?

I'm fine.

You never changed a bit. I can tell what you're about to say.

Don't mention the restaurant.

I don't want to fight with you, too.

Maybe my face does show what I'm thinking.

I'm entering the Kimchi contest.

- Are you out of your mind? - No, I'm perfectly fine.

You were always the one making bets, remember?

If I wanted something, I had to win a bet first.

Let's do that with Chunyang-gak, too.

The winner gets to decide.

That'll be fair.

Did Mom put you up to this? Or is this your idea?

It's 100% my decision.

You only have reasons to get rid of Chunyang-gak...

But I realized there are way more people with reasons to keep it.

That's why.

I'm covering the Kimchi contest!

Let the first Korea Kimchi Contest begin!

We're at the Kimchi festival held prior to the contest.

What do you think about this contest?

There's an old Samaritans saying, 'What you eat is who you are.'

It shows how important food is to human development.

I can't wait to see how our great food will be presented here.

I like Kimchi pizza better than Western pizza.

You're making Kimchi soup, sir?

For a good home cooked family meal, it's all you need.

Who brought the radish kimchi?

She sneaked it.

I did not!

- Kimchi! - Kimchi!

- Thank you! - Kimchi's delicious.

Let's all give another big round of applause!

The Minister of Agriculture will announce the contest's topic.

The first topic is befitting to our proud Kimchi.

A part of our proud history and culture White-clad Nation.

The history of our Kimchi dates back

before red peppers were introduced.

Non-spicy Kimchi has a much longer history.

Different types have been developed in various regions.

I highly look forward to the Kimchi's you'll make next week!

You have to make something more special than just white Kimchi.

I think that's the purpose of this contest.

Your helper's not bad.

You heard the topic.

Not using red pepper and making the Kimchi on the spot.

What do you think will be the winning factor?

You can never beat me.

That's the way it was and always will be.

But if you insist...

Fight till the end.

She's something all right. Look at all that confidence.

Why doesn't she just tell us the answer?

How annoying!

That's 10 year-old bay salt.

It's nice.

Take it and stop bothering me.

But this isn't what I'm looking for either.

I told you. I need the best salt there is.

I need natural sea salt.

They sell it in stores. Go find it there.

Not stuff made in factories.

I didn't come here for that.

I need natural sea salt made the traditional way.

I'll pay whatever you want.

- How much... - Look.

Some things can't be bought.

Forget it. You make it yourself.

Then please tell me how.

Hi, Sung-chan.

- Hi, sir. - What can I get ya?

Nothing.

What's with him?

Again?

What are you making? Tell me and I'll help you.

I can't use just any salt.

Use the stuff I bought you. I paid a lot for it.

My editor even brushes his teeth with bamboo salt.

It's good for the body, but it's not good to make Kimchi with.

The top chefs in the country won't make Kimchi with store-bought salt.

It's so frustrating.

Jang-eun's probably out selling her soul for the perfect salt.

Aren't you worried?

Shouldn't you make a new plan or get some salt somewhere?

Cultural city of the world

In the artistically rich city of Gwang-ju

Let the Kimchi contest begin!

Let's see what ingredients are inside the jars!

Let's all go into the wonderful world of Kimchi!

The chefs have just two hours.

They must turn their ingredients into the best Kimchi they can make!

There are 3 contests over 3 weeks, correct?

Judged on taste, appearance, and creativity,

1 0 finalists will go on.

And in the final round, the top two finalists will compete.

There's only one hour left.

They're finally using the salt.

Compared to the renowned Guerande Salt from France,

our bay salt has three times more magnesium and iron.

Dr. OH, Mrs. GONG,

and Chief KIM of Min. for Food, Agriculture, Forestry...

and other judges will decide who will make it to the next round.

It's a type of cabbage used often in salads.

Making Kimchi with kohlrabi?

It's not traditional.

The contest does not insist on only traditional dishes.

I think our food culture progressed the most than any other country.

Thus our representative food, Kimchi, is no longer the main dish.

It's become just another side dish.

I thought Kimchi could be turned into a great appetizer.

A dish that gives a pleasing first impression to the meal.

Kimchi can feel familiar like the western salad.

Therein lies the charm to be accepted by the world.

It tastes like cabbage. Or is it radish?

They look like sweet potatoes.

Amazing.

Never tasted anything like this.

A deep, profound taste. Truly amazing.

The salt... Is it Grey Salt?

It's natural sea salt.

It's our traditional salt.

Sea salt?

I heard it's recently gone into mass production.

No, I made this salt myself.

In the old traditional way.

Tradition meets fusion.

It's truly amazing.

Wow, she's really something.

We meet again.

Traditionally made southern style Kimchi.

That's right.

Interesting. When everyone else used salt,

you used traditional soy sauce.

- very creative. - Creative, yes.

The deep salty taste of Korean soy sauce

brings out the crispy taste of the radish.

What do you think Dr. OH?

I taste the richness of the sea in the pickled juice.

What do you think Chief KIM?

Definitely Korean. The soy sauce is.

The scores are going up on board!

Hee-don, 225

Joo-young, 275 The final result is...

Sung-chan 1st place! Jang-eun 2nd!

Okay! I told you Sung-chan will win!

If you could express the morning calm with Kimchi,

anything would do.

We'll see you a week from now.

Let's fall into the wonderful world of Kimchi once again!

Must I stoop to that level?

Can I call you brother?

Let me tell ya, brother. The first time I saw you...

I knew you were different!

Then you're done with our block, right?

Of course not. You're the first to sign.

Well begun is half done!

Have a good time and have a nice day!

Let's go!

Why'd you sign it? You're selling this place?

It should be quiet for at least 12 hours.

What? 12 hours?

What in the world does that mean?

I saw the contest on TV.

Well done, son.

I just got lucky. The competition is pretty fierce.

Really?

Jang-eun was great at cooking since she was young.

But you had stronger points, too.

- Really? - Yes.

But in your cooking...

Come on! Let's go!

What about my cooking?

Go on. You're headed for the East Sea?

Yes. He wants to catch the sun coming up in the East!

Mother...

You'd better get going. Be careful.

I hope you get over your cold, soon. Take care.

Take care!

He'll realize on his own. Don't worry.

You're not going to make Kimchi with king crabs, are you?

Why not?

There are over 200 different kinds of Kimchi and countless ingredients.

In the North, they use raw pork to make Kimchi.

Still I never heard of king crabs in Kimchi.

King crabs here! Freshly caught crabs here!

- The crabs are so fresh. - Of course.

Take your pick.

Move! That's mine!

- Right? - Ma'am! Not again!

What's with her?

Isn't he... Persimmons! Right?

- Mister! - From Sang-ju?

You're him, right?

That's the best shop around here.

Aren't you coming with us?

Yeah, come eat with us.

Forget it. I'm full just looking at my hometown.

Oh! Don't forget to ask for some Kimchi.

The stuff she makes for her son.

Go on.

Okay.

Here you are.

I'm starving from following you around all day.

Then eat up.

Was your son a runner?

Pretty smart lady from Seoul.

Right on the money.

He was the provincial rep.

With my leg like this, I couldn't feed him well.

But still he ran in a flash.

He was in the papers and stuff.

See! That's him!

Right here.

He was so small in elementary school.

But whenever he ran, he always came in first.

What? You think I'm lying?

It's the honest truth.

Handsome, ain't he?

Is he still a runner?

Ah, no. He's not a runner. He's on the run now.

My son would never do something like that...

He's been framed.

No matter what they say, a mother knows her child.

His mama knows who he really is.

I knew it! It gives me the chills.

What if he's a serial killer?

Don't go over board. He didn't seem that bad.

People say that on the news.

'He didn't seem like the type to do such a thing.'

Wait!

Just go!

Come on! Drive!

I grew up here till I was sixteen.

Then I left and did everything in the book,

you know?

You never know what life can bring.

I drank, got in a scuffle, and pushed someone slightly.

Damn luck.

It was an accident.

Still murder is murder.

But I suddenly missed mama like crazy.

Cops must have their radars on to catch me.

Coming here...

It hurts right here.

How can I face her?

So, tell me.

How's my mama?

She misses you a lot.

She bragged about you a lot.

Really?

No way. What good did I ever do?

I'm nothing but scum.

You know what I am to her?

Damn bastard!

A bastard who cut off his mama's leg!

Stay back!

I wanted to give up everything... and kill myself.