Mindanao Advice

Youn’s Kitchen: How I Ended Up in a Korean TV Show

Something very unusual happened today. My husband and I walked from Icod de Los Vinos to Garachico. Thirsty after two hours of walking, we looked for refreshments and suddenly found ourselves participating in a Korean reality TV show.

The weather was warm and lovely today, so my husband and I decided to take a long walk. The surroundings of Icod de Los Vinos are still new to us, and we thought that Garachico, a charming small town by the sea about 14 km away, would be a good destination. If I had known this walk would bring me directly into a TV reality show, I would have dressed like a star, LOL. But now you will see the simple me drinking wine and eating some delicious Korean food in a picturesque Canarian street. Season 2 of the Korean TV show Youn’s Kitchen opens in January 2018, starring Yoon Yeo Jung, Lee Seo Jin, Jung Yoo Mi, and Park Seo Joon.

© Photos by Eldar Einarson

On my way out of Icod de Los Vinos
On my way out of Icod de Los Vinos
The ocean behind the banana plantations
The ocean behind the banana plantations
Passing the silent town of El Guincho
Passing the silent town of El Guincho
A little rest under a large tree is never wrong
A little rest under a large tree is never wrong
Garachico in the distance
Garachico in the distance
Walking along the coast
Walking along the coast
Finally in Garachico and waiting for the waiter
Finally, in Garachico and waiting for the waiter
Korean food on the menu
Korean food on the menu
My husband discovers a hidden camera just across the street
My husband discovers a hidden camera just across the street
He sees one more…
He sees one more…
...and another
…and another
The chef shows up to be a famous Korean actress, Yoon Yeo Jung and a busy bee in the kitchen, Jung Yoo Mi
The chef shows up to be a famous Korean actress, Yoon Yeo Jung, and actress Jung Yoo Mi in the background
… and the waiters, Korean actors Lee Seo Jin and Park Seo Joon
… and the waiters, Korean actors Lee Seo Jin and Park Seo Joon
Finishing my wine with a lot of hidden cameras pointing at me
Finishing my wine with a lot of hidden cameras pointing at me
Film crew at a street side
Film crew in a side street
The second season of the reality show Youn's Kitchen will premier on January 2018
The second season of the reality show Youn’s Kitchen will premier in January 2018
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132 responses to “Youn’s Kitchen: How I Ended Up in a Korean TV Show”

  1. Trish Avatar
    Trish

    Waaaa I’m so happy to see a fellow Filipina in the show. Nung una palang kitang nakita napaisip na ko kung Pilipina ka ba, then nung namention mo yung relative mo na nanalo ng gold medal super nag swoon talaga ako haha. Feeling ko ung level ng pagkatuwa ko is similar sa level ng tuwa ko pag nakikita ko si Seo Joon sa show. Also, ang sweet nyo ni hubby mo, ang heartwarming tingnan. Super thanks for sharing your experience and all the best sa blog mo. God bless 🙂

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hi Trish, thanks for the cool comment. We just don’t know where life takes us. Glad that my small encounter with your Korean fave made you feel great. God bless you and keep safe.

  2. Jmtnyn Avatar
    Jmtnyn

    Lucky you! you met Park Seo Joon! 🥰

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      We just don’t know when luck strikes, right? 😉

  3. Sheila Avatar
    Sheila

    haha I always watch Youn’s Kitchen and when I saw you and your husband, I was like “Oh wow! A Filipina!”… Then you told your husband “I’ll just wait for you here, HA?” then the “ha” proved me right ahahahaha I am just soooo happy that a Filipina was able to appear in their show and in that place of all places in the world! Like WOW! Were there food really delicious? That show always kept me at the edge of my seat especially when they had so many customers, knowing they are not really professionals ^^ Anyway, good for you to reach such beautiful place and for seeing and experiencing it with the addition of seeing Ksuperstars like Seo Jin and Seo jun and pretty Yoo Mi and Youn! <3

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hahaha, that way my husband understands Filipino nuances wink wink. Honestly, I am still craving for their dishes, they were that good. That was my target there because prior to that I don’t know so much of the Kworld, and now I am watching Kseries on Netflix! Thanks for dropping by. All the best to you!

  4. D Sam Avatar
    D Sam

    Since March 2020 when quarantine started here in Los Angeles, I started watching KDramas & fell in love with Park Seo Joon. I watched literally all of his projects back to back and since I can’t get enough, I watched Youn’s Kitchen 2 so I can see more of him.

    You were so lucky to have a chance encounter with him. So happy to see a fellow Filipina in the show. More power to you & your hubby!

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hi D Sam, thanks for visiting. That was the time too that I got more curious about Kdramas. Such a very good actor and a humble one too.

  5. Athira Avatar
    Athira

    OMG! You met Park Seo Joon. How are you this lucky in life? I’m so jealous!!!
    He is a top actor in Korea and is not only very popular inside Korea but also has many international fans (such as me)
    By the way, Park Seo Joon acted in the movie “Parasite” which won the Best Picture at the Oscars this year!
    ( The movie took home the most awards at the Oscars 2020, winning four Academy Awards at tonight’s Oscars including Best Picture, Directing, International Feature Film and Writing )

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hi Athira, thanks for dropping by. Lucky enough 🙂 Looking forward to that blockbuster. Take care in these uncertain times.

  6. Grace H Avatar
    Grace H

    It’s still holiday season here in Manila so I got to watch TV and tuned in on Youn’s Kitchen out of curiosity. I got hooked knowing that a kababayan was on. Immediately I was full of envy because you got to see some of the famous stars in Korea! And, it’s music to my ears to read about your good feedback about how they are. Such a swell experience for you! How I wish I’ll have the same …but it will cost me too much to purposely time a trip where they will shoot next. Also, look how super late I tuned in! Hahaha!
    All the best and Happy New year to you and your husband

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Who knows where the next location will be, maybe near you? Haha glad you are enjoying the show and thanks for checking out our blog as well. Happy New Year to you too! 🙂

  7. eabrina Avatar
    eabrina

    hi, just saw the ep yesterday (New Year’s Day 2019 in Manila). happy to see a kababayan in the ep. i’m a big fan of Lee Seo Jin (and his vast library of reality shows). thanks for sharing the pics! safe travels!

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      You are welcome, thanks for dropping by. I do hope their kababayan fans like you will also get the same experience. It was super fun. All the best!

  8. Lissette_Lissie Avatar
    Lissette_Lissie

    I loved the way you and your husband treated each other…the beautiful ways you spoke to each other. As I watched you I wondered if you’d ever notice the person serving your food. I was literally yelling at the tv.. “Would you please look at him? Is she going to notice who’s her waiter?! It’s Beautiful Park Seo Joon! ” But then I realized your husband’s sweetness towards you and I said “Nevermind…. no wonder. I wouldn’t notice either.” Thank you for sharing your experience. Say hi to your husband from me… a stranger. You both are definitely #CoupleGoals.

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Thanks for your very kind words. Yes, my husband is one of a kind and the show was really a big surprise for us. All the best!

  9. Eve SM Avatar
    Eve SM

    Just finished wathing the episode where you and your husband was there. And I soooo envy you po😊 Got to see PSJ up close and personal… sooo lucky. Love the show by the way… wish to run into one of these shows myself…one day…
    Thanks for sharing😊

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      You are welcome Eve, glad you like our little feature. Thanks a lot for reading 🙂

  10. Lhen Btran Avatar
    Lhen Btran

    Omgsh! I am super jealous of you, Ate. Park Seo Joon is one of my oppa 💕 haha. I was watching the show and saw you. Right away, I was like “she looks like Filipina” then you started talking about your relative who won a gold medal in Manila, Lol. I am a Filipina as well, living here in Cali. Tiga Mindanao ka ba? All my dad’s siblings live in Bukidnon and Wao. Super gwapo ba ni Park Seo Joon in person? 😍😍

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hi Lhen, glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I am from Davao City. Gwapo and mabait, humble din ang oppa mo 🙂

  11. REBECCA FERRAIOLI Avatar
    REBECCA FERRAIOLI

    I am on the last episode of Yoon’s Kitchen and I wanted to see if there were recipes online. Your blog post was one of the first sites that came up about Yoon’s Kitchen.

    I live in North Carolina in the US and have been watching only Korean television shows for about 6 or 7 years now. I dislike so many American shows because of the violence, sex and general nastiness that is always shown. Reality shows in America make it seem that we are a culture of nasty and disgusting people. I don’t think we really are but the entertainment industry likes to package that up and thinks it’s worth selling. However, Korean shows are much better at entertaining without all that crud.

    My husband even watched an episode with me because everyone was so polite and respectful to each other which made the viewer feel happy to be a part of that world. You are very lucky that you actually were part of that during your time there. Both you and your husband seem like very sweet people and I appreciate seeing all the behind-the-scenes photos. I love the one photo of the kitchen, especially the one of the camera person looking surprised, LOL. I just love seeing how many wonderful people there are in the world that come from so many different countries and everyone shares their hearts through, good food compliments and smiles. I wish everyone could be so blessed to experience something like this.

    And yes, I am a fan of all of those wonderful actors and amazed by their humble serving and gracious manor. Have you watched any of their TV shows or movies yet? I definitely recommend the TV show She Was Pretty. (You can find it on the website Viki or DramaFever. You can do a free trial if you don’t want to watch commercials.) It’s very goofy but sweet and lots of fun. I see you said you saw Train to Busan so obviously you know how good Korean shows and movies can be.

    Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this blog. I hope you and your husband have many more wonderful adventures like this! Sorry for writing so much, LOL.

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Thanks for your kind comment. As a Filipina, I think I can relate to your views about commercial TV. We are very much influenced by US when it comes to entertainment. But we also love our Asian neighbors; Korean film and TV are among our favorites. I already knew a little about all the actors participating in Youn’s Kitchen, but did not recognize them before they revealed themselves to us. It was so unexpected to see them as humble and kind restaurant staff. I agree with you and would love to see the TV scene change to a milder human experience. That is probably too much to hope for, 😊 but luckily there are niches with programs like the ones you mentioned. Every change starts small and with more fans of programs like Youn’s Kitchen, the world of TV might change for the better. All the best to you and your future TV show explorations 🙂

  12. Amy Leigh Avatar
    Amy Leigh

    I’m so glad I found your blog! BTW you looked amazing to have been walking that distance hehe I really fell in love with both you and your husband- he seems so nice and I love the way he is so affectionate and loving with you AND vice-versa. You both seem like really lovely people! <3 I am glad to read what you guys thought of it all, since I wondered what customers truly thought.

    As you have heard by now, those were very famous waiters you had hehe Both some of the biggest stars in Korea, but for this show, they like to keep their identities rather on the downlow for customers/locals and just enjoy being anonymous "staff" for once in their lives. If you haven't watched anything with them before, I definitely recommend you to check them both out. They are both in TV and films. 🙂

    Thanks for sharing your experience! best of luck to you and your husband- i wish you a very happy, blessed life! <3

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Thank you very much for your kind comment. My husband is a nice man and I’m glad that our happy relationship is reflected in the show. Of course, it must have been fun for the actors to pause from their fame. We had already seen “Train to Busan” when we (by accident) entered the restaurant. But Yumi was in the kitchen all the time so we only recognized her just before we left 🙂 When the actors introduced themselves we understood fast their position in Asia and were charmed by the concept. All the best to you also!

  13. Dhazzel Avatar
    Dhazzel

    The show is on air now on viki. I am in US so I can only watch on roku and wait for each episodes each week and its currently at episode 5. I think I saw you in episode 3 and I was so envious that Park Seo joon served you. I wanted to see him in person, he’s one of my favorite korean actor. Lucky you. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Thanks Dhazzel, my pleasure. I hope you get to meet them soon also one day. I wish you happiness 🙂

  14. Victoria C Avatar
    Victoria C

    Hi Grace,
    I just finished watching the episode you are in.
    I love Korean reality shows and Youn’s Kitchen is one of my favorite. Seeing a kababayan in the show makes my heart swell with joy.
    I like your blog… stay positive and an inspiration to others.

    Your pictures look great too! 👍🏻

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Aw thanks Victoria. Nice of you to say that. One of a kind experience indeed while exploring places. Hope to get to share more. God bless you!

  15. mini Avatar
    mini

    They are very famous actors in Korea!!! Top star

    you are so lucky

    yersterday,i saw the tv show (i come from Taiwan) ,and see you and your husband,

    good,

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hi mini, thanks for stopping by with your nice comment. I am happy to share my experiences. Glad you like it 🙂

  16. Dada Avatar
    Dada

    Hi po ulit, ^^ before anything else, I’ve got butterflies in my stomach sa reply niyo po, it feels like one step closer to Seo Joon kahit maikling step lang po sya ^^ thank you po talaga. Napaka amazing po talaga nang program na naipakita ang ganda nang lugar and at the same time nakapag bigay nang kakaibang experience sa mga tao when it comes to food. And guess what po, na watch ko po agad yung episode na andun kayo nang hubby niyo ^^. Im really looking forward po to meet them, hopefully po talaga lalot tutuk na tutok na po ako. Thank you po ulit Ate Gracee, and I do understand bisaya ate makakaasa po kayong panonoorin ko po yung vlog niyo about it. Godbless po ulit.

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Salamat din sayo, your positivity is great 🙂 Walang anuman and God bless all your endeavors 🙂

  17. Dada Avatar
    Dada

    Hi po! ^^ gusto ko lang pong e share, I just started streaming the tv show youn’s kitchen since natapos na sya nitong march lang and nalaman ko lang din na park seo joon was part of it so na excite ako. My first reason was because of him but eventually I also fell in love with the show and the crews. I have been through a lot of searching about the show and I happened to see your blog about it, mas na excite po ako sa blog niyo cuz what happened to you and your hubby was exactly the things that I keep on imagining and been day dreaming since 1st episode nang show. Ill be looking forward sa episode na makikita ko po kayo. I wish you po the best in life especially sa mga trips po ninyo and sa mga unexpected adventures po. Question lang po… Is park seo joon really that handsome and kind in person? hehe thank you po! Godbless you din po! ^^

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hola Dada, salamat po sa inyong napakagandang komento. Sa totoo lang, di ko rin malalaman ang about sa show if not because of my experience. I got hooked with the episodes too, especially the location they showcase. It’s nice of them to promote other countries and let people see their beauty. Yes he is handsome and very humble in person, not only him, all of them. They’re awesome. I hope you get to meet them too.

  18. Sharina Avatar
    Sharina

    Yeah.. i watched u in youn’s kitchen😍😍.. very lovely scenery and its beautiful place.. and the food must be super duper delicious!

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hola Sharina, Garachico is indeed beautiful. I’m crazy over the natural pools. Canarian food is awesome, add at least for a day a taste of Korea and we’re good to go haha 🙂

  19. Frances Jayda Banas Avatar
    Frances Jayda Banas

    Wow, I just watch the episode that you were in , Im so envious of you having Seo Joon and Seo Jin to serve you as well as the nice place you were in… Lucky you. Good luck and Safe trip on your next travel

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hi Frances, thank you for your nice comment 🙂 Good luck also and wish you all the best!

  20. Elaine Avatar

    Ate, it was you! Just finished the episode you were in. From the first look, I said “I think she’s Pinay”. And then you started talking about a relative winning an ice skating title in Manila. Wahhhh, you’re so lucky! Park Seo Joon’s my ultimate crush! Continue sharing your travel stories. More powers! ❤

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Gracias Elaine, nice of you to say that 🙂 I’m not from Manila though, I am from Davao. I’m glad you like this little post about my experience. I also wish one day you will get to meet your crush in person 🙂 Salamat po!

  21. Siti Z Avatar
    Siti Z

    Congratulations on your sudden fame. We are lucky to have you blogging about them in English. You seems to be the only customer sharing your experience in this well known tv programme. We felt jealous that you got to meet them but at the same time grateful that you appreciate them in your blog.
    May you hv more luck in future.

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Thank you very much, Siti. Maybe one day you’ll meet them in person, you already know what to do… sharing is caring 🙂 🙂 🙂

  22. isuse Avatar
    isuse

    Hi. Thank you for sharing your lovely moments with these beautiful souls. 😊 You are so lucky to be a part of this show. Even I’m waiting for next episodes on tvN 😍😆😍

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hola Isuse, you are very much welcome. All the best!

  23. Elia Dina Muhd Hanapi Avatar
    Elia Dina Muhd Hanapi

    Omg… Haha.. Yes i remember you & your husband in one of episode… Very lucky!! I’m from Malaysia & a fan of Park Seo Joon & youn’s kitchen.. Omg.. Im jealous! Haahah 😍😅😉🤩😘.. Anyway.. How’s the food??

    1. Grace Avatar
      Grace

      Hi Elia, thanks for dropping by. Superb food and ambiance of the resto was amazing, add the surprise that we were being served by great actors 🙂 🙂 🙂

  24. Hayeon Avatar
    Hayeon

    Hello!
    Youn’s kitchen 2 is now airing its 7th episode on TvN and is a popular and top rated reality show in Korea and Asia, really happy you could visit the restaurant and eat the korean dishes! You and your husband are well liked and very cute ~ Thank you for being nice customers to the waiters and actors, Lee Seo-jin and Lee Seo-joon!

    1. Grace Avatar