Netflix confirmed the highly anticipated second season of the Korean culinary competition series, The Black and White Chef: Battle of the Culinary Hierarchy, will debut globally on June 16, simultaneously releasing the first official preview trailer. The streamer also unveiled a powerful roster of established culinary masters joining the cast, promising an intense, high-stakes gastronomic showdown.

The competitive cooking program, renowned for pitting seasoned professionals against emerging talent, has solidified its judging panel, retaining two of South Korea’s most influential food figures. Baek Jong-won, a massively successful restaurateur and celebrity chef, returns alongside Ahn Sung-jae, the only chef in Korea to hold the prestigious three-Michelin-star rating. Their combined expertise will anchor the judgment as competitors navigate complex cooking challenges.

Star-Studded Culinary Masters Join “White Spoon” Brigade

The latest casting announcement revealed several elite chefs taking part in the “White Spoon” segment, representing the pinnacle of professional cooking. This distinguished group includes culinary heavyweights known for their precision and experience. Confirmed participants bringing serious pedigree to the kitchen include:

• Lee Jun: A highly decorated chef known for his inventive cuisine and holder of two Michelin stars.
• Son Jong-won: A familiar face from popular shows like Please Take Care of My Refrigerator and the driving force behind two separate Michelin one-star establishments.
• Seonjae Temple Master: A recognized authority in traditional Korean temple food, providing a spiritual and historical dimension to the competition.
• Hou De-chu: A veteran expert specializing in Chinese cuisine, bringing over 57 years of experience to the table.

The competitive format remains shrouded in mystery, prompting high viewer anticipation. The newly released trailer offered a tantalizing glimpse into the elaborate production design, notably featuring a rotating structure—dubbed a “culinary Ferris wheel”—stacked high with diverse ingredients, suggesting unusual and demanding tasks designed to test the chefs’ adaptability and skill.

New Fantasy K-Drama Draws Top Talent

In separate streaming news, Korean media reports indicate significant progress in casting for the upcoming Netflix original K-drama, Fraction of 24. The series, an adaptation of a popular webtoon of the same title, is reportedly seeking two of the industry’s most in-demand actors.

Shin Hye-sun, best known internationally for the period fantasy Mr. Queen, is in talks to take the leading female role. Alongside her, reports suggest that Na In-woo, who recently garnered acclaim for his performance in the hit drama Marry My Husband, is being tapped for the male lead.

The fantasy romance series revolves around a compelling premise: the lives of the two main characters become intertwined when they experience a miraculous, yet disruptive, soul swap. This supernatural phenomenon is constrained to a single hour each day, forcing them to navigate their swapped identities and relationships under highly unusual circumstances. The potential pairing of Shin and Na, both recognized for their strong on-screen chemistry and comedic timing, already positions Fraction of 24 as a flagship entry in Netflix’s expanding lineup of fantasy K-dramas.

With high-profile entertainment offerings spanning competitive reality television and anticipated scripted dramas, Netflix continues to leverage global demand for premium Korean content, cementing South Korea’s role as a major international production hub. The Black and White Chef 2 is expected to drive significant global viewership, while the potential casting synergy for Fraction of 24 promises another must-watch series for fans of the K-drama genre.

Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong – Actor and singer Ruco Chan (陳展鵬) announced plans for a series of new musical endeavors and upcoming performances at a charity golf event today, December 18. Joined by his wife Phoebe Sin (單文柔) and actor Joey Law (羅天宇), Chan confirmed a Macau concert date for January next year, signaling a major push back into the music industry while adapting to the demands of a new generation of artists.

The celebrity trio attended the charitable golf tournament in Clearwater Bay, using the occasion to discuss their own sporting habits and professional pivots. Chan emphasized his ongoing commitment to music, a career path he wryly noted was “stillborn” years ago but never entirely abandoned.

Chan Eyes January Concert and New Song Releases

The veteran screen star is set to stage an intimate musical showcase in Macau in January. Following this performance, he anticipates releasing at least two or three new singles shortly thereafter. Chan noted he is diligently rehearsing and keeping a close eye on contemporaries.

“I am still a singer, I never truly left,” Chan explained, adding that his “corpse” has simply been lying dormant. He revealed his upcoming releases would not be limited to Cantonese, promising Mandarin tracks as well.

The prolific musician highlighted several rising stars he now follows, naming talents such as MC Zhang Tianfu, Gareth T. (湯令山), and Cloud Wan (雲浩影) as artists producing quality music. Sin humorously interjected, revealing that her husband is currently deep in listening mode, subjecting her to a “fatigue bombardment” of Gareth T.’s track, Singing Love Songs with My Back (用背脊唱情歌).

Family Dynamics and Sporting Ambitions

Beyond his professional resurgence, Chan discussed his role in introducing music and sports to his family. The artist lamented that his daughter, known as “Little Piggy” Chan Nuo-yao, is currently uninterested in his own compositions, particularly his song Zero Years Old (零歲). Instead, the youngster shows a refined taste, preferring Eason Chan’s classic Bicycle (單車).

The topic veered toward athleticism, as Sin and Chan are active golf enthusiasts. Sin credited her husband with training her, stating that her skills have surpassed his—a claim Chan generously validated.

“She has completely exceeded the master,” Chan praised. “She is truly formidable now. How else am I supposed to make a living if I can’t teach people how to play?”

While Chan is eager to groom his daughter into a golfer, Sin noted that the highly energetic child, Chan Nuo-yao, currently prefers swimming and roller skating, making it difficult to keep her focused on the slower pace of golf.

Sin, who has stepped back from acting, is embracing a new, demanding schedule centered on family activities and skill acquisition.

“I’ve learned many sports just to accompany my husband and daughter,” Sin stated. “We will even be learning tennis soon with Rico Lee [Li Si-ya]. Though I’m not frequently on screen, I am learning new things every day—I am much busier now than when I was an actress.”

Adapting to the Digital Economy

Sin has successfully transitioned into a full-time content creator and Key Opinion Leader (KOL), recently promoting a skincare brand in South Korea. When asked whether they aspired to reach the financial heights of some KOLs who have purchased multi-million dollar luxury homes, Chan smiled.

“That’s too large a goal,” he commented. “We are happy to proceed step by step.”

The couple’s dual pursuit of artistic comeback and digital career pivots encapsulates the evolving landscape for entertainment professionals in Hong Kong, demonstrating a blend of traditional stardom and modern entrepreneurial adaptation. Chan’s return is highly anticipated, promising new music and an energized artistic focus for the year ahead.