“My heart aches” Chef Ahn Yoo-seong volunteers food at Muan Airport for the bereaved families of the ‘Jeju Air disaster’

‘Black and White Chef’ Chef Ahn Yoo-seong has volunteered food at Muan Airport for the bereaved families of the Jeju Air plane disaster.

A phone call with Chef Ahn Yoo-seong was held on the SBS PowerFM ‘Two O‘Clock Escape Cultwo Show’ that aired on the 31st.

Chef Ahn Yoo-seong visited Muan International Airport immediately after hearing the news of the Jeju Air plane disaster and delivered 200 servings of kimbap to the bereaved families. He said, “I only have the talent to cook, so I thought I would feel better if I said I was volunteering through food. I will prepare tteokguk for the bereaved families on January 1st.”

During a phone call with ‘Two O’Clock Escape Cultwo Show’ that day, Chef Ahn Yoo-seong said, “My heart aches and I can‘t focus on my work. My only talent is cooking, so I brought kimbap to visit. When I went to the site, my heart was so heavy,” he confessed.

He said about the situation at the Muhan International Airport, “(The bereaved families) are temporarily living in a tent,” and confessed, “If I can be of any help with my cooking skills, I want to be there to support you. I will continue to visit you while you are here. The food I make won’t be even 1/10 millionth of your comfort, but I hope you can find some strength.”

Chef Ahn Yoo-seong revealed that he plans to help out tomorrow, the first day of the new year in 2025, by volunteering food. He said, “I have prepared a rice cake soup volunteer service, and I think it will be good for you to cheer up a little, so I am planning to prepare 300 bowls of abalone porridge. I think many ‘black and white chefs’ will also participate.”

He said, “When there is a big accident or difficult situation, the public’s attention is a great help. “What we desperately need now is the public’s continued interest and support, which I believe will be the greatest help,” he encouraged.

At around 9:03 am on the 29th, a Jeju Air passenger plane attempted a body landing at Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province after failing to lower its landing gear, skidded off the runway, crashed into an exterior wall, and exploded. Of the 181 people on board the plane, including 179 South Korean nationals and 2 Thai nationals, 2 were rescued and the remaining 179 died. The government designated a seven-day national mourning period from the day of the accident to January 4, 2025.

Jeong Hee-yeon, Donga.com reporter shine2562@donga.com