BTS’ V, Park Seo-joon, Choi Woo-shik Make Memories in ‘Jinny’s Kitchen’

“Jinny’s Kitchen” might just have the most good looking restaurant staff with BTS’ V and Choi Woo-shik joining “Youn’s Kitchen” veterans Park Seo-joon, Lee Seo-jin, and Jung Yu-mi. The stars of the Korean variety show talked about their experiences filming in Mexico and introducing Korean soul food – street food to foreign palate.

‘Jinny’s Kitchen’ in Mexico

Filming abroad isn’t something new to “Youn’s Kitchen,” and for its spin-off “Jinny’s Kitchen,” the crew ran a Korean street food restaurant in Bacalar, Mexico. Lee Seo-jin talks about his difficulties as the new restaurant boss.

“There were a lot of difficult points. It was difficult when there weren’t enough customers, when we were too busy, and when the employees didn’t listen. I had a tough time because V kept asking for a vacation and Woo-shik kept disappearing…There were a lot of difficulties.”

Park Seo-joon, who ran the kitchen, didn’t mind when the restaurant was hectic. “I felt down when there were no customers after working really hard to prepare well. So honestly, working busily with the place being crowded was way more enjoyable.”

BTS’ V as a rookie staff in ‘Jinny’s Kitchen’

Aside from having a new boss, the restaurant has a world star rookie in their midst. Fans of BTS’ V will definitely be proud of his debut as a restaurant staff in “Jinny’s Kitchen.” Fellow Wooga squad Choi Woo-shik talks fondly of his pal.

“The four of us have already spent a lot of time together, but since V is new, when we gave him a task he would put his best foot forward. I got to see a new side of him. I’ve always thought he was really young, just a dongsaeng (someone younger). He exceeded my expectations. It was a sight to see.”

Making memories in Mexico

Working at a restaurant is indeed hard work and for the staff of “Jinny’s Kitchen,” having a drink at the end of each hectic day became one of their bonding moments.

“I’m not sure how much our viewers may know, the most memorable thing for me while working at the restaurant is having a drink after finishing for the day. Just wrapping up after a day of work. To be honest, I actually don’t really like alcohol. I hardly ever drink. But after working at the restaurant, having a drink became so natural that I thought to myself, this is why we have alcohol. Those were the moments that I enjoyed the most,” says V.

Aside from drinking, sampling Mexican food also became a part of their routine.

“During our break time, the boss would go out and buy some, so we were able to try a variety of tacos,” recalls Jung Yu-mi.

For Park Seo-joon, being able to introduce Korean street food to others was itself a fun and memorable experience.

“To be honest, street food is something I hold close to my heart. But it seems a bit ambiguous to call street food snacks, and I actually consider it as a type of soul food different from traditional Korean food. So, I think introducing these types of food is very different and new,” he says. 

With the show premiering strong, will we see another pop-up restaurant soon? Look’s like V is up for another shot at “Jinny’s Kitchen.”

“Any restaurant anywhere is fine with me as long as there are good conditions. Please contact me,” V laughs.

“Jinny’s Kitchen” is now streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes every Friday.