Jung Ji-sun confesses to discrimination and prejudice… Finger stuck in machine, 30 stitches (Table for 4)

Chef Jung Ji-sun recalls the past when she suffered from prejudice and discrimination in the Chinese restaurant industry.

On the 4th at 8:10 PM, Channel A‘s ‘Best Friend Documentary - Table for 4’ will air an episode featuring the first female star chef in Chinese cuisine, ‘Jung Ji-sun’.

Chef Jung Ji-sun, who recently became a hot topic by making it to the TOP 8 of ‘Black and White Chef’, prepares a special table to express her gratitude to her best friend who supported her during difficult times. The guests invited that day are Chinese cuisine expert Chef Yeo Kyung-rae, comedian Jung Joon-ha, and singer Byul. They are amazed by the 1,000 bottles of alcohol that Jung Ji-sun collected over 7 years and filled her liquor cabinet. In particular, she was surprised to see a 3.5 million won Chinese zodiac seal with the zodiac signs of Jeong Ji-seon and her husband engraved on it. Jeong Ji-seon prepares a Chinese meal including the popular Mala Cream Shrimp Dim Sum, and treats her close friends to a precious limited edition liquor of which only 3,000 bottles were produced.

Jeong Ji-seon reminisces about her time studying Chinese cuisine in China in 2005, and recalls her first meeting with her master, Chef Yeo Kyung-rae. Chef Yeo said that he had his eyes on Jeong Ji-seon, a Korean who had come to mainland China to learn cooking, and that he predicted her future as the ‘next leading figure in Chinese cuisine’’, which is surprising. Jeong Ji-seon returned after completing her three-year study abroad, but she said that because there were few female chefs in the industry, they wouldn’t even accept her resume. However, she expresses her gratitude, saying, “I was able to get a job thanks to the recommendation of Chef Yeo Kyung-rae.”

Jeong Ji-seon confesses that even after getting a job, she suffered discrimination and prejudice because she was a woman. She says that she returned to work in just a month despite suffering a serious injury that required 30 stitches after her finger got caught in a noodle machine amidst anxiety about being fired, and that there was a time when she had to hide her pregnancy. Chef Yeo Kyung-rae says that there was a time when she was not allowed to wear glasses because “glasses make you slow.”

Jeong Ji-seon also reveals the unfortunate story of her miscarriage in May, which she had not had in 10 years. However, she reproaches herself as she recalls how busy she was at the time, to the point where she had to go back to work just one day after the surgery. She says that she was unable to properly grieve because her family was so heartbroken, and confesses the feelings she had not been able to express until then. At that time, the only person she could open her heart to was Byul, and she says she received great comfort from him and expresses her gratitude.

Among them, Jung Ji-sun, a Chinese chef, presents kimchi pancake, which is a surprise Korean dish, saying it is soul food. Jung Joon-ha cannot hide his bewilderment. He is reminded of the so-called ‘Kimchi Pancake Incident’ 15 years ago, when he was criticized by viewers for ‘being rude to Chef Myung Hyun-ji’ while making kimchi pancake on 〈Infinite Challenge〉. Jung Joon-ha protested to Jung Ji-sun, saying “I made kimchi pancake to make beer(?)”, but Jung Ji-sun, as if she had never heard of the incident before, asked him the reason with a bewildered expression. Jung Joon-ha, who avoided kimchi pancakes for a while after the incident, said that he is still close with Chef Myung Hyun-ji, causing laughter.

Channel A‘s ‘Best Friend Documentary - Table for 4’ airs every Monday at 8:10 PM.

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