Ahn Hyo-seop Becomes a Mysterious Genius Chef in ‘Final Table,’ Premiering October 24

JTBC’s new drama brings rival restaurants, hidden identities and personal stakes into a cooking competition.

Ahn Hyo-seop is stepping into the kitchen for Final Table, a new drama in which culinary talent comes with an intriguing mystery.

Premiering on JTBC on October 24 at 10:40 p.m. KST, the series follows Korean chefs from around the world as they compete in “The Table: K Chef 2026.”

At its center is Kang Han, a gifted chef whose international experience and exceptional technique make him a formidable contender. Behind that name lies another identity: the elusive, world-renowned chef Chris K.

A cooking contest with more than a trophy at stake

The competition brings together chefs with different ambitions and very different reasons to win.

Hong Hwa-yeon plays Choi Song-i, the owner of Familia, who is fighting to protect her restaurant. Opposite that team stands Cha Woo-jin, a perfectionist star chef and the owner of the prestigious Exception, played by Chang Ryul.

Jung Yu-jin joins them as Seon Jeong-won, the executive producer overseeing the cooking-survival program.

Their relationships give the contest consequences beyond the judges’ decisions. Restaurants, reputations and personal histories all enter the kitchen alongside the contestants.

Competition meets comfort

Final Table combines the pressure of a culinary showdown with stories about people finding understanding through food.

Its chefs must prove their skills, but the drama also follows the connections that develop through shared work, mentorship and meals. Winning matters; so do the reasons each character stepped into the competition.

Behind-the-scenes footage released by JTBC introduces the cast’s preparations and the atmosphere on set, offering an early look at the work behind the kitchen scenes.

A cast that bonded over food

Food remained a frequent topic even when the cameras were not rolling.

In a cast interview cited by Wikitree, Hong Hwa-yeon recalled conversations about memorable meals and what everyone planned to eat after filming. The actors also exchanged recommendations for shows they had enjoyed.

Chang Ryul praised Ahn’s thoughtful approach to work, while Jung described Chang as an actor who analyzes scripts sharply.

The supporting cast includes Jang Young-nam and Cha Ji-yeon. Hailey also appears as Isabel Dominguez, a Korean-Peruvian chef whose cooking adds another cultural perspective to the competition.

When and where to watch

The 12-episode drama begins on JTBC on Saturday, October 24, at 10:40 p.m. KST, with broadcasts continuing on Saturdays and Sundays.

Disney+ will begin releasing the series in South Korea on October 25, with new episodes on Sundays and Mondays. International distribution is through Prime Video, with availability depending on territory.

Editor’s Note

Viewers who know Ahn Hyo-seop from Business Proposal will recognize another shift in his screen career. Netflix lists him among that romantic comedy’s principal cast alongside Kim Se-jeong and Kim Min-gue. Final Table places him in a different professional world, with his character’s skills and concealed identity driving a culinary competition.