Channel A’s 'Chef & Hunter': Kyung Soo-jin Recounts Catching 3m Shark at Press Conference, Premieres Jan 8

[Edaily Starin Reporter Choi Hee-jae] "I gave it my absolute all for 'Chef & Hunter'." Actress Kyung Soo-jin made this playful, earnest remark during the online press conference for Channel A's new survival culinary variety show Chef & Hunter Chef & Hunter, which took place on the morning of January 8. Joining her at the event were fellow cast members Choo Sung-hoon, Im Woo-il, and the show’s director, Koo Jang-hyun PD.

What is 'Chef & Hunter'?

This extreme survival culinary adventure program pushes its cast to their limits: in harsh, remote wild environments, they must hunt and gather ingredients entirely on their own, then transform those hard-won finds into a gourmet feast. Leading the culinary team is global top chef Edward Lee, who serves as the show’s executive chef, bringing world-class expertise to every dish. Meanwhile, the one-of-a-kind Choo Sung-hoon takes on the role of core hunting leader, guiding the team through dangerous and unpredictable wild quests. Adding layers of humor and personality to the crew are Im Woo-il, the "salt-obsessed hunter" who never skimps on packing essential survival gear, and Kim Dae-ho, the "wild errand boy" and pro go-to member who keeps the team running smoothly. Kyung Soo-jin joins as a special guest member for the show’s first filming location in Indonesia.

Kyung Soo-jin’s Unbelievable Shark-Catching Tale

At the press conference Chef & Hunter press conference, Kyung Soo-jin stole the spotlight with her jaw-dropping story of catching a massive shark during filming. "That’s the biggest fish I’ve ever caught in my entire life," she shared, her eyes lighting up as she recalled the moment. Choo Sung-hoon chimed in, half-jokingly, "No one will believe this unless you spill every single detail!"

Kyung Soo-jin (Photo: Channel A)

Im Woo-il added even more shocking context to the already incredible story: "When Soo-jin stumbled back to base camp at dawn with that shark, even the entire crew couldn’t believe their eyes—they thought we were pulling a prank!" Choo Sung-hoon, who witnessed the whole thing firsthand, recalled the intensity of the moment: "That shark was huge, like 3 meters long, and it had insane strength. And here’s the craziest part—she didn’t even use a fishing rod. She caught it with her bare hands! I was right there standing beside her, and I still couldn’t wrap my head around what I was seeing."

Im Woo-il emphasized just how massive the shark really was to drive home the absurdity: "This wasn’t some tiny dog shark you’d pick up at Noryangjin Fisheries Market. We’re talking a full-grown 3-meter shark! I know it sounds totally unbelievable, but every word of it is true."

Im Woo-il’s Hilarious Wild Boar Encounter

Im Woo-il also shared a hilarious, memorable moment from filming that had everyone at the press conference laughing. He talked about the time he was the first to spot a wild boar in the jungle. "When I saw it, I screamed, 'Guys, what is that?!' But no one took me seriously at first," he said, shaking his head with a smile. Choo Sung-hoon explained why the team was so skeptical: "It makes total sense—we were with local guides who know the area like the back of their hands, but Woo-il spotted that boar even faster than they did! Everyone just brushed him off, saying, 'Calm down, it’s just a dog.'"

Premieres January 8 at 10 PM KST

If you’re craving a mix of heart-pounding survival challenges, mouthwatering culinary creations, and laugh-out-loud cast chemistry, don’t miss the debut of Chef & Hunter on Channel A. The first episode airs on January 8 at 10 PM KST, and based on the wild stories shared at the press conference, it’s going to be an unmissable ride!

(L-R: Choo Sung-hoon, Kyung Soo-jin, Im Woo-il | Photo: Channel A)