Chef Hu Deok-juk reveals why he joined “Culinary Class Wars 2”

Mar 13, 2026, 09:13 am

		0
Chef Hu Deok-juk appears in a YouTube video by chef Ahn Sung-jae, where he talks about his experience joining the Netflix cooking survival show “Culinary Class Wars 2.” /Ahn Sung-jae YouTube capture

Chef Hu Deok-juk has revealed how he came to appear on the Netflix cooking survival show “Culinary Class Wars: Kitchen Hierarchy Battle 2.”

In a recently released YouTube video by chef Ahn Sung-jae, Hu shared the story behind his participation in the program and reflected on his experience.

Hu said he initially knew little about the show.

“I usually don’t watch much television, so I didn’t really know about it,” he said. “My granddaughter told me, ‘Grandpa, you should watch this,’ and showed me a video. That was the first time I heard about the program.”

After watching an episode, Hu said he became interested in the show.

He also admitted that he hesitated to join when he first received the casting offer because of his age.

“I thought it might be better to give younger chefs the opportunity,” he said. “I worried people might say it didn’t suit someone my age, so at first I felt it might be better not to participate.”

However, encouragement from people around him eventually changed his mind.

“I heard that supporting the younger generation could also be meaningful,” Hu said, explaining how he ultimately decided to take part in the program.

He added that he approached the competition without placing too much pressure on himself.

“At first, I thought if I got eliminated in the team round, I could just rest,” he said. “But I kept getting opportunities and eventually made it into the top three.”

Hu recalled that reaching the final stage was physically demanding but motivating.

“By the time I reached the top three, I was exhausted, but I thought, ‘Since I’ve come this far, I should see it through to the end,’” he said.

Hu described appearing on “Culinary Class Wars” as both “a new beginning and an enjoyable experience.”

He added that he hopes his participation in the program encouraged younger generations who dream of becoming chefs.

#Hu Deok-juk chef #Culinary Class Wars 2 #Netflix cooking show