Chef of Antarctica () is a South Korean variety program that airs on MBC from November 17, 2025 till December 22, 2025. at 22:50 (KST). It stars Baek Jong-won, Chae Jong-hyeop, Im Soo-hyang and Suho.
The show follows Baek Jong-won and his team on their trip to Antarctica to cook food for the South Korean crew stationed at King Sejong Station with limited electricity and food supplies, which are only restocked once a year. Each episode is split into two parts with the exception of the final episode.
It is Baek Jong-won's first variety show program comeback in 6 months since his hiatus from broadcasting activities due to a series of controversies with his company, The Born Korea.
Overview PD Hwang Soon-kyu revealed in an interview that the show had finished filming in November 2024 and was supposed to be broadcast in April 2025, but the original airing date for the broadcast was postponed and moved to May 2025. However, it was postponed again and later moved to November 2025 due to the presidential election, external circumstances, and the controversy surrounding Baek Jong-won and his company, which the production staff of the show stated that they already aware of the situation and took the matter seriously and had serious discussions about the program’s message and direction, with PD Hwang Soon-kyu stating that the show is not centered on its cast.
Cast Main Baek Jong-won Chae Jong-hyeop Im Soo-hyang Suho
Cameo Appearances Cho Kyu-hyun (Super Junior) - Episode 1
Airtime SeasonAir dateAirtime 1 November 17, 2025 - December 22, 2025 Mondays at 22:50 (KST)
Episodes Season 1 + Original broadcast date Episode name Locations Foods 1 November 17, 2025 A Doubtful Beginning() Chile(Santiago & Punta Arenas, Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctica)Antarctica(King Sejong Station, King George Island) Episode 1:Chicken PorridgeEpisode 2:Main Dishes:Chicken Nanban w/ Yellow Tartar Sauce, Stir-fried ketchup Sausages w/ Green Bell Peppers and Fusilli, Seasoned Rapeseed greens & Side dishes.Boxed Meals:Rice Balls, Buffalo Wings, Croquettes, Fried sausages and lettuces. 2 November 24, 2025 Cold or Possibly Staled()3 December 1, 2025 Penguin Village in Antarctica City() King Sejong Station, King George IslandPenguin Island, Narębski PointArgentina Carlini Base, Potter CoveGreat Wall Station, Fildes Peninsula. Episode 3:Boxed Meals:Mallow Beef Doejang Porridge & Dried Radish GreensEpisode 4:Main Dishes:Korean grilled bulgogi & Dalgona.4 Temperature of Flavors()5 December 8, 2025 An Antarctica-like Day() Great Wall Station, Fildes PeninsulaKing Sejong Station, King George Island Uruguayan Artigas Base, King George Island, South Shetland IslandsPunta Arenas, Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctica King Sejong Station, King George Island. Episode 5:Main Dishes:Andong jjimdak, Stir-fried webfoot octopus, Jjimdak, Doenjang Stew, Pork belly & octopus bulgogi, Rolled omelet.Episode 6:Main Dishes:Kimbap (Beef, Tonkatsu (Pork cutlet), Tuna w/ Tuna mixed-in sauce, Crab meat & Spring cabbage), Dried Pollack soup, Candied Sweet Pumpkin.Birthday foods:Braised Ribs, Rose Tteokbokki, Jjolmyeon, Bungeoppang.Night Shift Food:Anchovy Noodle Soup6 December 15, 2025 Mango and Pickled Radish()7 December 22, 2025 Becoming Family() King Sejong Station, King George IslandFlashbacks:Great Wall Station, Fildes PeninsulaArgentina Carlini Base, Potter CoveUruguayan Artigas Base, South Shetland Islands Main Dishes:Bibimbap & Makgeolli (drink)
Controversies Following its broadcast, the show was criticized by viewers for not bringing any food supplies from Korea, instead relying entirely on the station's existing annual stock, which was already low when the crew arrived in November. According to production statements, the pantry visited in November was "nearly empty," and the additional cast and crew consumed food intended for the base's limited winter population, raising concerns that the filming may have worsened a pre-existing food shortage. During filming, the team of roughly 30 cast and production members ate from the same stores as the research staff, effectively increasing the number of people consuming the limited supplies at a time when deliveries are made once a year. In addition, a viewer filed a complaint with the Korea Communications Standards Commission, alleging that a dish shown on the program closely resembled a menu item associated with Baek Jong-won's restaurant brand, raising concerns over indirect advertising on public broadcast content.
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