Spin-off of tvN’s hit reality show 'Youn’s Kitchen' to air next year

Actor Lee Seo-jin during a scene from season two of tvN food reality show ″Youn's Kitchen″ (2018) [SCREEN CAPTURE]

A spin-off of cable channel tvN’s hit reality show “Youn’s Kitchen" is set to air next year.

Tentatively titled "Seo-jin's Place," actor Lee Seo-jin will be taking over actor Youn Yuh-jung's spot on the new program as the restaurant's boss.

Youn will not be joining the show due to her filming schedule for season two of "Pachinko."

Popular television producer Na Young-seok who was behind "Youn's Kitchen," will take the helm of "Seo-jin's Place" as well.

"Youn's Kitchen" aired for two seasons, from 2017 to 2018. It featured actors Youn, Lee and Jung Yu-mi running a temporary mom-and-pop Korean restaurant in a country outside Korea. The first season was shot in Gili Trawangan, northwest of Indonesia’s Lombok. The second season was set in the small town of Garachico on Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands.

Both seasons saw popularity, topping the viewership ratings list of all television programs airing in the same time slot. A spin-off series titled "Youn's Stay" also aired last year. Lee was part of that series.

Compared to the original show which showcased more traditional Korean food such as bulgogi (marinated stir-fried beef) and bibimbap (rice mixed with vegetables), "Seo-jin's Place" is expected to feature more casual Korean street food.

Actor Lee Seo-jin debuted in 1999 in the SBS television drama series “House on the Waves” (translated). He has acted in dozens of television shows. His most famous works include MBC’s “Damo” (2003), “Phoenix” (2004) and “Marriage Contract” (2016). He also appeared in films “Ghost Taxi” (2000), “Love Forecast” (2015) and “Intimate Strangers” (2018). He is best known for his appearances on tvN variety shows produced by Na, like “Three Meals a Day” (2014-21), “Grandpas Over Flowers” (2013-18) and “Youn’s Stay” (2021).

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]