Netflix’s popular Korean culinary competition, “The Devil’s Plan: The Culinary Class War” (localized title), is grappling with controversy after an alleged editing error potentially spoiled the Season 2 finale, even as the show announced its seven finalists this week. The final episodes, which outline the intense journey toward the championship, were delivered with a significant viewership hurdle following the perceived mistake, which social media users claim revealed a finalist’s true identity prematurely, violating the program’s rules. The highly anticipated conclusion is now set for broadcast next week.
Finalists Announced Amid Tight Competition
The reality cooking series, which pits established “Black Spoon” professional chefs against talented “White Spoon” home cooks, narrowed its field to seven competitors in the newly released episodes. The roster features five White Spoon candidates—Hou De-zhu, Master Shan Cai, Zheng Hao-ying, Choi Kang-lok, and Lin Sheng-gen—alongside two remaining Black Spoon contenders: Drunken Yoon Ju-mo and the high-profile contestant known as “Culinary Monster.”
Notably, the latest installment saw the elimination of fan-favorite White Spoon participant, Sun Zhong-yuan, who was defeated in a critical cook-off against the Culinary Monster. The stakes remain extraordinarily high as the upcoming challenge is set to award the winner a direct pass into the grand final round, bypassing the final elimination stages.
Editing Flaw Spurs Online Speculation
The controversy erupted earlier this week when sharp-eyed viewers flagged a purported editing oversight during Episode 9. During a contestant interview, some audiences noticed that the name tag on the chest of the Culinary Monster displayed the real name, Lee Ha-sung, rather than his assigned pseudonym. This detail immediately triggered intense online debate and accusations of a premature leak.
The speculation is rooted in the structure of the show’s first season. According to the original format, only Black Spoon contestants who successfully reach the final round are permitted to use their real names on screen, shedding their professional aliases.
By displaying Lee Ha-sung’s name, many viewers extrapolated that the Culinary Monster had not only defeated popular rival Sun Zhong-yuan but was also guaranteed to be one of the final two competitors, a potentially major spoiler hours before the official elimination results. Social media platforms quickly buzzed with users expressing frustration, arguing that the error negatively impacted the viewing experience by removing critical suspense from the competitive arc.
Maintaining Integrity in Reality Television
While Netflix has not issued a direct statement addressing the specific editing claims, the incident highlights the continuous challenge major streaming platforms face in managing production quality and safeguarding plot integrity in highly anticipated reality programming. Even a minor technical lapse can spread rapidly across digital communities, compromising the core nature of a competition-based show.
As the program approaches its Season 2 climax, producers will be under increased scrutiny to ensure the final episodes—scheduled to drop on the 13th of the month—maintain the expected high level of drama and competitive fairness, regardless of the alleged outcome spoilers. The success of reality formats often hinges on the audience’s trust in the authenticity and secrecy of the elimination process.
