The second season of Netflix’s intense cooking show Culinary Class Wars wasted no time in making difficult decisions. In Season 2 Episode 2, viewers saw a surprising early exit when respected Hidden White Spoon chef Kim Do-yun was eliminated. The decision came down to judge Anh Sung-jae, who delivered a direct and specific critique of the chef’s noodle dish, leaving fellow contestants and the audience shocked.
The moment has become a major talking point for the show, highlighting the uncompromising standards of the competition. Judge Anh Sung-jae, known for his technical precision, later explained his difficult choice in detail, expressing personal disappointment over the dish’s outcome.
In the high-pressure Black Spoon elimination round, Kim Do-yun presented a dish meant to showcase purity and health. He prepared perilla oil noodles using Baekgang wheat, aiming for a clean taste without any additives. While fellow judge Paik Jong-won responded positively to the plate, Anh Sung-jae had a very different experience.
During the tasting, Anh Sung-jae focused on fundamental execution issues. He pointed to the texture of the noodles and a lingering sensation he found unpleasant. His critique was direct and focused solely on the food in front of him.
“The balance of the textures and the flavor that are present in these noodles and the way it’s currently lingering on my palateโฆ when I consider all thisโฆ Chef Kim Do-yunโฆ you’ve been eliminated,” Anh Sung-jae stated during the judging.
He elaborated further on the specific problems, noting, “I thought that the noodles were undercooked. I was disappointed, to be honest. It may have just been an accident.” The final note that sealed his decision was the aftertaste. “When I taste this, there’s a chalky aftertaste that lingers. For my taste buds, I don’t think I would call this delicious,” he explained.
This round featured a critical twist for the two Hidden White Spoons, Kim Do-yun and Choi Kang-rok. Unlike the Black Spoon chefs, they needed approval from both judges to advance. Because the judges disagreed, Kim Do-yun’s journey ended there. Choi Kang-rok, whose braised eel dish met both judges’ standards, moved forward.
Making the elimination decision was not easy for Anh Sung-jae. In a separate reflection, he emphasized his deep professional respect for Kim Do-yun, acknowledging the chef’s significant reputation and work in the industry.
“It was a very difficult decision. You know, he’s a chef I deeply respect, and his work in this industry is so important,” Anh Sung-jae shared. He stressed that his evaluation was strictly about the single dish presented during the challenge, not a reflection of Kim Do-yun’s overall talent or career.
This moment underscores the core tension of Culinary Class Wars. The show establishes a clear hierarchy between the celebrated White Spoon chefs and the lesser-known Black Spoons, but the judging consistently dismantles that divide. A chef’s reputation, Michelin stars, or past fame offer no protection in the kitchen. Every contestant, regardless of their background, is subjected to the same immediate scrutiny based solely on what is on the plate at that moment.
The early elimination of a seasoned chef like Kim Do-yun, while another Hidden White Spoon advanced, proved that status does not bend the rules. It confirmed that a White Spoon distinction does not lower the standardโit often raises the expectations.
After his elimination, Kim Do-yun shared his feelings in a post-episode interview. He expressed the natural disappointment that comes from giving a challenge your full effort and falling short.
“Honestly, I feel awful. I’ll be fine after tomorrow, you know. But I genuinely gave it my all,” he said. He added, “Which makes it feel even worse. What can you do, you know?”
He explained the philosophy behind his dish, which was a reflection of his cooking style. His goal was to create something genuinely healthy and nourishing, even in a single bite, staying true to his practice of not using additives. Looking to move past the disappointment, he concluded with a simple plan for recovery: “I wanna go home, have a glass of soju, and sleep”.
The premiere of Culinary Class Wars Season 2 on December 16, 2025, immediately sparked reactions online, with much discussion centered on Anh Sung-jae’s firm evaluation style. Viewers took to social media to express their surprise at the intensity of the judging, particularly the early elimination of a respected chef like Kim Do-yun.
Many fans noted that Anh Sung-jae’s critiques seemed even more detailed and unwavering than in the first season. One viewer on X (formerly Twitter) commented on the episode, writing, “Eliminating Chef Kim Doyun in ep 1 was crazy, he’s so brutal ๐ญ but that’s what i love abt him, he’s so technical! The food might be great but if he saw a little mistake in plating or even the feeling of eating, you’re out!”
Other reactions highlighted the thrilling tension this creates. “Watching the first episode of Culinary Class Wars season 2 is like watching a thriller series, especially when Chef Ahn Sung Jae is giving his evaluations,” another viewer posted. Comments described his approach as “ruthless,” “strict,” and “cold blooded,” with many agreeing that his technical focus leaves no room for error, making for compelling television.
Also Read:
Culinary Class Wars is a South Korean cooking competition that pits elite chefs against each other in a dramatic format. For Season 2, one hundred chefs are divided into two classes: the renowned White Spoons and the challenger Black Spoons, all competing for a prize of โฉ300 million. The first three episodes of the new season are now streaming on Netflix, with the season finale scheduled for release on January 13, 2026.
The judging panel consists of two culinary giants: celebrity restaurateur Paik Jong-won and Anh Sung-jae, the chef-owner of Mosu and the only chef in South Korea to hold three Michelin stars. Anh Sung-jae’s background is notable; born in Seoul, he moved to California as a teenager, later served in the U.S. Army, and trained at world-renowned kitchens like The French Laundry before earning top culinary honors.
The structure of the competition is designed to ensure that judging is impartial and focused purely on the food. In later rounds, judges have even been blindfolded during tastings to prevent being influenced by a chef’s identity or status.
Also Read: One Piece Season 3: Live-Action Production Begins for Arabasta Arc
