Chef Ahn Seong-jae turned heads when he sat down with Yoon Ju-mo, the brewmaster who appeared on Netflix's Black & White Chefs 2, for a refreshingly candid conversation.
On Ahn’s YouTube channel, "Chef Ahn Seong-jae," he posted a video titled "Mosu Culture! Mosu Culture! The Joseon‑Style K‑Brewmaster Who Even Got Ahn Seong‑jae Tipsy?!"
In the clip, the two brewed liquor together and opened up. Yoon explained, "Making liquor requires steady focus and constant practice. Cooking feels more creative—it's more like art. You said my food has changed, right?"
Ahn tasted the dishes Yoon prepared and said, "The ssamjang tastes a little different. When you bite into the pork fat, you think, 'Wait—what am I actually eating?'" Yoon replied, "This would be delicious even in a stew, so I made it this way for you today."
Ahn asked, "Did you appear on Black & White Chefs Season 2 to promote food and drink culture, or was there another reason?" Yoon answered, "Personally, I had something unresolved. I couldn't find peace, so I wanted to put myself out there."
Hearing that, Ahn asked, "How did things go after you appeared?" Yoon said, "I didn't learn cooking formally. I always relied on customers to validate whether a flavor was right, so this was the first time I presented my food in an official setting—and you were the first chef to taste it."
He added, "You were number one. After Black & White Chefs Season 2 ended, I met so many wonderful fellow chefs and mentors. Now, when I'm curious, I can ask them and get answers. Appearing on the show felt like finding culinary teachers, and that was incredibly meaningful."
Ahn replied, "When you open a restaurant, not everyone will agree with your food. There are good days and bad days—and if you hit a bad day, you might get criticized. But like you said, keep moving forward. Your hands are skilled, and when people come and actually experience your food, I think they'll really like it."
Lim Chae-ryeong, TenAsia reportern
