Cooking Up the Story of The Backpacker Chefs
Every food has a place to stand for anyone to enjoy. So wherever their clients call, the backpacker crew is off to greet them with backpacks heavy with ingredients.
Premiering on tvN on the last Thursday of May, The Backpacker Chef showcases the challenge of cooking and serving a complete meal with limited kitchen tools and ingredients. Despite the challenges that they encounter, the four members of the show make their way into performing their duties as chefs and aiming to successfully accomplish the task of presenting a well-prepared meal that fulfills the details of their client’s request.
A Dive into the Show
The Backpacker Chef features four television personalities who are making great marks in pursuit of their respective careers as members of the show’s backpacker chef crew.
Inarguably, the central figure of this show is Chef Baek Jongwon. As an individual with a remarkable depth of knowledge, the cast member has been expanding his culinary career throughout the years as a CEO of restaurant franchises as well as sharing his tips with the public through his YouTube channel. A widely known figure who has created a phenomenal change in the public perception of cooking with his multiple television appearances, Paik Jongwon acts as a leading figure within the crew by bringing his years of expertise into use.
Following chef Paik Jongwon, actor Oh Daehwan joins him as a member of the backpacking chef crew. Given the nickname of Chungmu-ro’s notable scene-stealer, the crew member’s works such as the film Veteran and recent drama The Red Sleeve have played a role in shaping his reputation as a skilled actor who is capable of pulling off a wide range of roles and emotions. As a result, the public is anticipating his works to come in the future––drama Adamas and film The Wild. Confident in cutting any ingredient to his liking or per his groupmate’s favor, Oh Daehwan brings his previous experience as a military cook during his days in the army to fully aid in the process of creating an unrehearsed meal in an unfamiliar venue.
One of the most prominent actors of his age in the Korean film industry with notable works in Itaewon Class and Her Private Life, actor Ahn Bohyun takes the spot as the third member of the backpacker chef cast. Through this cooking entertainment variety show, the actor is off to present a new side of him to the wider public. Already known to fans and even some outside of his fanbase, Ahn Bohyun’s previous appearance in the MBC variety program I Live Alone and social media activities on Instagram and YouTube are more than enough to show the member’s love for camping. His love for camping is easily noticeable through his very own Doraemon bag. Bringing out the most unexpected gadgets at the most appropriate time for their use, Ahn Bohyun’s readiness to encounter any challenges that arise is certainly a factor that enhances the crew’s ability to overcome struggles in a situation full of unexpected possibilities.
Last but not least, artist and entertainer DinDin makes his way to complete the cast lineup of The Backpacker Chef. DinDin’s irreplaceable energy, sociable character, and witty personality as showcased in many other shows add to the vitality of the mood surrounding the cast in the show. Taking on the role of a human refrigerator, DinDin displays the struggles of carrying the most important elements throughout the journey. From vegetables to fruits, the ice box on his back contains all ingredients for the cooking mission to succeed, and the member is given the heavy responsibility of retaining the freshness of the ingredients without any damage before use.
The well-established presence of Chef Paik Jongwon in his culinary career, however, inevitably puts some pressure on the crew as the anticipation from clients and viewers alike lead them to await a grand meal that meets the standard of high-quality catering. The chemistry of these four personalities is something to look forward to, especially with the prominently visible differences between the realms of career. Regardless of those differences, the backpacker chef crew finds other ways to strengthen their bond, with one of the ways obviously being the cooking aspect of the show.
Prepping and cooking a meal definitely requires good teamwork; if no teamwork exists prior to it, the actual process allows individuals to grow comfortable working together. In such an unrehearsed cooking environment and unfamiliar surroundings, the crew is brought together by the common goal they share: cooking a good, satisfactory meal together for their clients. Naturally relying on one another for support, encouragement, and aid, the backpacker chefs exhibit unique chemistry that blooms throughout the episodes.
Whether or not you’re someone who likes cooking entertainment shows, give The Backpacker Chef a try. Join the cast’s action-packed journey full of twists and turns or wherever the path to their final destination takes them. Shopping, driving, walking, and prepping for the best meal they can provide for their clients, The Backpacker Chef embodies the complexity of cooking through an adventure.