Chef & Hunter: Choo Sung-hoon, Cast Share Insights on Survival Culinary Adventure at Channel A Press Conference

It’s time to meet the cast of Channel A’s brand-new survival culinary adventure variety show, *Chef & Hunter*! On the morning of January 8, the network hosted an online production press conference to introduce the highly anticipated program, set to premiere the very same day. In attendance were beloved cast members Choo Sung-hoon, Lim Woo-il, Kyung Soo-jin, and the show’s lead PD, Koo Jang-hyun, who all gathered to share exclusive details about what viewers can expect. Unfortunately, star chef Edward Lee and former announcer Kim Dae-ho couldn’t make it due to conflicting schedules, but their presence was still a hot topic of conversation.

If you’re a fan of both outdoor adventures and mouthwatering cuisine, *Chef & Hunter* is right up your alley. This one-of-a-kind show takes cast members into extreme natural environments, where they hunt or forage wild ingredients themselves before transforming them into gourmet dishes. The lineup is packed with diverse talent: MMA fighter Choo Sung-hoon brings his survival skills, star chef Edward Lee handles the high-end cooking, comedian Lim Woo-il adds the laughs, former announcer Kim Dae-ho brings his charismatic energy, and actress Kyung Soo-jin rounds out the dynamic crew.

PD Koo Jang-hyun didn’t hold back when talking about the immense effort that went into creating *Chef & Hunter*. “We spent over a year preparing for this, filmed for two full weeks, and spent more than three months editing—we really poured our hearts into every detail,” he shared enthusiastically. “We even revised the first episode over ten times to make sure it’s perfect, so viewers can expect a polished, satisfying experience.”

Safety was also a top priority for the production team, especially given the show’s wild hunting and cooking concept. PD Koo explained, “We worked closely with local experts to thoroughly verify all safety protocols before filming. We also focused on showcasing local indigenous communities who hunt and cook these ingredients naturally, because we wanted viewers to understand the full story behind the food they eat. Even though all hunting activities are legally permitted, we wanted to present it in a way that feels familiar and respectful, so audiences can comfortably engage with the process.”

When asked how *Chef & Hunter* stands out from other jungle-themed variety shows, PD Koo highlighted its unique focus: “Most survival shows cover building shelters, foraging, and cooking just to get by, but we narrowed it down to a simple core: hunting and turning those ingredients into fine dining. The real magic is watching Edward Lee transform basic wild ingredients into restaurant-worthy dishes—this transformation is our biggest differentiator and must-watch point.”

PD Koo also emphasized that the show isn’t just about hunting and cooking. “We want to show viewers the entire journey of how a single meal makes its way to the table—the hard work, the dedication, and the care that goes into every step. When you watch, you’ll naturally gain a new appreciation for the food you eat, and we hope that makes the show both entertaining and meaningful.”

Choo Sung-hoon, one of the show’s core cast members, focused on the incredible teamwork among the crew. “Hunting in these remote, extreme locations is dangerous—we never knew what might happen, and injury was always a possibility,” he recalled. “But the most memorable part of the experience was how we all came together as a team. We looked out for each other, helped one another through tough spots, and that bond is what made everything worth it. The production team also went above and beyond to keep us safe, but that sense of unity with my co-stars is what stuck with me the most.”

Choo Sung-hoon also gushed about his special chemistry with Edward Lee. “We met in the jungle and instantly clicked—we both grew up abroad and found our way to Korea, where we’ve been loved by amazing fans. We talked a lot about our shared identities, and I was so eager to watch him cook. I got to stand right next to him in the jungle, and when I tasted his food, I was blown away! Just last week, I ran into him in New York and begged him to make that jungle bibimbap again, but he said no—because that dish was only possible with the exact ingredients, timing, and energy we had in that moment. That’s the beauty of it, right? We’re so aligned— I handle the hunting, he handles the cooking, and even though our roles are different, our mindset is the same. It was such a great experience.”

Kyung Soo-jin also shared her thoughts on the cast’s chemistry, saying, “I relied a lot on Kim Dae-ho and Lim Woo-il during filming. I didn’t want to be a burden, and having people to lean on made the experience so much more fun. They took great care of me, and we had an amazing time together.”

Kyung Soo-jin also revealed that she took on an unexpected role in the show. “I originally thought I’d be assisting Edward Lee in the kitchen, but once I joined, I suddenly became a hunter! I caught my first ever fish during filming—wait, actually, it was a huge shark! I joked that now I just need to catch a blue marlin, but you’ll have to watch the show to see all the details,” she teased. Choo Sung-hoon and Lim Woo-il backed up her story, hinting that this moment will go down in Korean variety show history.

Despite the physical challenges of filming in the wild, Kyung Soo-jin said she found the experience incredibly healing. “It was tiring physically, but I love nature and camping so much that it didn’t feel like a hardship. A lot of people worried about me before filming, but mentally, this show was so refreshing. It’s probably the most fun I’ve ever had on a variety show, and I got to work with such amazing people who I really clicked with. I came back feeling totally at peace.”

The cast couldn’t stop raving about Edward Lee’s jungle cooking either. Lim Woo-il called the fried rice “life-changing,” saying, “It wasn’t just ‘good’—it was a totally new flavor experience that blew my mind.” Kyung Soo-jin added, “After I caught that fish, Edward made a mango sauce to go with it, and it was so delicious that I still think about it all the time. The combination of the fried fish and that sauce was out of this world.”

PD Koo and the cast also shared key viewing points for the show. “Our 360-degree cameras are a game-changer,” PD Koo explained. “They let viewers feel like they’re right there with us in the jungle, experiencing the hunt and the cooking firsthand. These cameras really captured every detail, so you’ll get an immersive, on-the-ground feel.” Kyung Soo-jin added, “The show is 10 times more spectacular and fun than anything you can imagine from the press conference—you won’t want to miss it.” Lim Woo-il highlighted the cast’s growing bond: “We filmed for two weeks, and you’ll really see how we went from being strangers to a tight-knit team. At first, we didn’t know each other’s strengths, but as time went on, we found our roles, grew closer, and became one unit. That journey is really special to watch.”

Finally, Choo Sung-hoon shared his ultimate goal for the show: “We went through a lot of hard work, but we don’t want to just show viewers how tough it was. Instead, we want to make you jealous—jealous that we got to go on this amazing adventure, hunt wild ingredients, and eat Edward Lee’s incredible cooking. We want you to watch and think, ‘I want to do that too!’ That’s the feeling we’re hoping to leave with every viewer.”