'Korean Table' 15th Anniversary, Special Table with Global Rice Supporters Featuring Croaker Jeon and Fish Dumplings in Seocheon, Chungnam

KBS 1TV’s ″Korean Table″ celebrated its 15th anniversary by preparing a special meal together with global ″Bappawons.″ In the first part of the 15th-anniversary special, the process of preparing food for four global ″Bappawons″ was shown at a 100-year-old traditional house in Seocheon, Chungnam, by the ″Table Keepers,″ the three siblings Choi Soo-jong, Yoon Joo-mo, and Lee Chan-won. Yoon Joo-mo commemorated the 15th anniversary by preparing a 10kg Shinan croaker, with Choi Soo-jong and Lee Chan-won joining in the process. After the croaker pancakes were completed, the four global ″Bappawons″ visited the traditional house. The ″Bappawons″ who joined that day were Robert, an American who became connected to Korea as a missionary in 1983; Saeri, his daughter, who developed an interest in Korean culture influenced by her grandfather, a Korean War veteran; Hwang Jin-yi, the first Korean news anchor on Argentina’s national TV; and Melinda, who appeared with her family on the New York episode of ″Korean Table″ 15 years ago. Melinda recalled memories with the first ″Table Keeper,″ Choi Bul-am. The ″Bappawons″ tasted the croaker pancakes made by Yoon Joo-mo and commented, ″The fish is so tender and has such a deep flavor.″ Afterwards, Choi Soo-jong, Yoon Joo-mo, Lee Chan-won, and the ″Bappawons″ naturally shared stories while making fish dumplings filled with croaker meat, beef, and cucumber under a bamboo grove. They visited a house in the village carrying the fish dumplings, toured a 50-year-old jangdokdae (fermentation jar stand), and tasted plum syrup, Joseon soy sauce, and red pepper paste offered by an elder. Lee Chan-won sang ″Jinttobaegi,″ a favorite song of the elder, as a token of gratitude. Meanwhile, regional specialties sent by participants from across the country, such as Ulleungdo wild garlic and Asan native Korean beef ″Chiksso,″ arrived, and preparations for dinner continued. Choi Soo-jong lit a wood fire, and Lee Chan-won made neobiani (grilled marinated beef slices) with Robert and Saeri using Chiksso beef. Yoon Joo-mo presented a clear croaker soup made by simmering the croaker’s head and bones. At the banquet, the ″Bappawons″ expressed their satisfaction, saying, ″It melts in the mouth,″ and ″Every dish on the plate feels like a treasure.″ When asked about Korean hospitality, Choi Soo-jong explained, ″Koreans consider visiting guests as precious connections.″