(The CEN News / Reporter Kim Seon-ah) On the 16th, SBS’s lifestyle series Masters of Everyday Life turns the spotlight on culinary wizards, beauty pros, and style experts — from a reclusive Chinese-food master to an all-out whole-wheat bread showdown, men’s skincare tips, tie-tying hacks, and Gyeongju burdock kimbap.
First up, in the Hidden Food Masters — Chinese Cuisine That Shook Gimpo segment, a tiny Chinese restaurant in Gimpo has people lining up as early as 9 a.m. for a single lunch service. The shop serves only 100 parties a day, so even early birds sometimes walk away disappointed. The star of the kitchen is Park Jong-min, a graduate of a top overseas culinary school who reinvents Chinese classics in his own signature way.
Park’s tangsuyuk is notable for chunky, square-cut pieces with a satisfyingly crisp batter. The pork loin stays juicy, giving off a subtle meaty aroma — and Park is so confident in his ingredients he even suggests a quick dip in salt before the sauce. The tomato-forward sauce brings bright acidity, a sweet finish, and a clean, refreshing aftertaste. The segment also features a unique wok-style jajangmyeon that intentionally skips smoky char and a jjambbong piled high with seasonal scallops.
In the Bread Wars — South Korea’s Best Whole-Wheat Loaf corner, whole-wheat champions from across the country go head-to-head. Three established bakeries with proven reputations face off against five rising contenders, all aiming to bake loaves that get nuttier the more you chew.
Even though everyone starts with whole-wheat, variations in kneading technique, fermentation time, and oven temperature produce wildly different results. The final verdict hinges on factors like crust crunch, the crumb’s moisture, how long that toasty flavor lingers, and the mouthfeel of whole-grain flecks — details that reportedly had judges debating intensely.
A men’s skincare expert also appears. Seon Dong-min, a cosmetics researcher who has studied skin and product ingredients, shares simple, effective routines for guys who either leave their skin bare after washing or slap on random products. He breaks down what to apply and why, so men can build a sensible routine without the guesswork.
A tie-tying pro demonstrates how a single tie can completely change your impression. Drawing on experience in men’s retail, he’s developed a range of knots you can create just by adjusting wrist angle and the pressure you use to tuck the fabric. He even reveals a trick to get a polished knot in five seconds by wrapping your wrist twice, and shows playful techniques to shape a tie into a flower or a bow.
A Gyeongju burdock kimbap master reveals the delicate technique behind what looks like an ordinary roll. He spreads rice evenly over seaweed in just three seconds and rolls kimbap designed not to fall apart. It’s finished with a towering pile of burdock strips that give the roll a distinctive, memorable flavor.
Tune in at 9 p.m. on the 16th to catch the masters’ stories and techniques on SBS’s Masters of Everyday Life.
(The CEN News) Reporter Kim Seon-ah press@mhns.co.kr
