EBS to feature youngest kimchi master's massive production secrets

The EBS program "Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door" will air on Wednesday, November 4, featuring Jeong Min-seo, a kimchi master who manages 50,000 pyeong of cabbage fields and produces 1 million heads of kimchi annually.

[Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door]

The EBS program "Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door" will highlight the success story of Jeong Min-seo, the youngest kimchi master in South Korea. The broadcast will feature the power of a culinary tradition spanning four generations, a 7,000-pyeong factory producing 1 million heads of kimchi annually, and a feast that overwhelms the appetite of Seo Jang-hoon.

In the episode airing Wednesday, November 4, at 9:55 PM, "kimchi tycoon" Jeong Min-seo, who was selected as the youngest among Korea's seven kimchi masters, will appear on EBS "Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door." Jeong produces approximately 2,500 tons, or 1 million heads of kimchi, per year and owns a total of 50,000 pyeong of cabbage fields. During the broadcast, Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won will visit Jeong's 7,000-pyeong kimchi factory to uncover the secrets behind the unique flavor. The process includes a cabbage base cutter developed by Jeong himself, followed by a four-stage washing process for the prepared and salted cabbage. In the seasoning room, a unique sight will capture attention as dried pollack (hwangtae) is poured into the kimchi seasoning. Inspired by dried pollack kimchi from Gangwon Province, Jeong used hwangtae instead of regular dried pollack to enhance the deep, rich umami flavor. The facility also features a specialized machine that injects seasoning into the cabbage, similar to injecting cream into a cream bread. Attention will focus on the success secrets of Jeong, who rose to the rank of kimchi master through innate culinary talent and constant research.

Jeong's exceptional cooking skills stem from a family culinary tradition passed down through four generations. The culinary DNA of his grandmother, who studied cooking even while learning Japanese during difficult times, was passed down to Jeong through his mother. His mother raised three daughters alone by making and selling various fermented sauces and side dishes. Her reputation grew so much that orders for side dishes poured in even from chaebol families such as Sam·Hyeon. Jeong boasts of his mother's skills, stating, "People told my mother most often that her food would be delicious even if she cooked with straw." The program also covers Jeong's past when he helped his mother deliver side dishes. Recalling the time he went on deliveries while swallowing his embarrassment, he confessed, "I delivered side dishes to luxury apartments in Daechi-dong, and as a child, I felt so ashamed." Upon hearing this, Seo Jang-hoon expressed surprise, noting, "The fact that people chose to buy from your mother instead of famous side dish shops in Gangnam shows how incredible her skills were," adding with a laugh, "I should have known about your mother sooner."

Additionally, the broadcast will reveal a special meal prepared by Jeong's mother that immediately captures the palates of Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won. Faced with a full table of fragrant seasoned vegetables, various types of kimchi, and appetizing boiled pork (suyuk), Seo Jang-hoon and Jang Ye-won find themselves unable to look away, saying, "I don't know what to eat first." After tasting the seasoned vegetables first, Seo Jang-hoon offered high praise, saying, "This is a taste I won't be able to eat again for the next 10 years," and even revealed his uncontrollable appetite by stating, "If we weren't filming today, I would want to put all these vegetables in a bowl and mix them together." The feast of kimchi, which overwhelmed Seo Jang-hoon, a fan of freshly made kimchi, is also featured. The secret weapon that made Jeong a kimchi master will also be unveiled: kimchi created by combining his mother's traditional four-generation recipe with Jeong's own original ideas. The identity of this premium kimchi, characterized by special kimchi liquid that adds a beautiful color and a sharp, popping taste in the mouth, can be seen on EBS "Seo Jang-hoon's Millionaire Next Door" on Wednesday, November 4, at 9:55 PM.

Read the original (Korean)