Amid growing controversy surrounding comedian Park Na Rae over allegations of workplace abuse, the Korean entertainment industry is abuzz, particularly after Song Eun Yi received praise for revealing her employee welfare practices on KBS2’s variety show Boss in the Mirror.
The January 4 broadcast of Boss in the Mirror (episode 338) saw a peak viewership rating of 7.3%, continuing its series run as the No. 1 program in its time slot for 187 consecutive weeks, according to Nielsen Korea. The episode featured chef Jung Ho Young hosting the first-ever “Boss in the Mirror Gourmet Workshop” in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, alongside MC Kim Sook and former baseball star Yang Joon Hyuk.
Invited from Tottori, a region known for its premium tuna, rice and wagyu beef, Jung Ho Young embarked on a lavish culinary tour. Kim Sook and Yang Joon Hyuk’s participation made Jun Hyun Moo and Park Myung Soo envious. Jung jokingly admitted that he chose Kim Sook because she seemed “free” and Yang Joon Hyuk because she seemed “easy to lead,” prompting laughter.
The trio started at Yonago Sakai Harbor, exploring a fish market overflowing with freshly caught delicacies, including seasonal snow crabs. While Jung tasted crab after crab “for safety reasons,” Kim Sook and Yang Joon Hyuk were left empty-handed, prompting playful complaints. A hungry Yang even broke away from the group to buy crab sandwiches, adding to the humor. The tasting continued with amberjack, sweet shrimp, assorted sashimi bowls and grouper sashimi, with Jung sharing expert tips on pairing ingredients to elevate the flavors.
The day concluded with a full course of snow crabs, which drew enthusiastic reactions. Kim Sook praised its texture, comparing it to a “string cheese with perfect fibers,” as the first day of the gourmet workshop ended on a high note.
Elsewhere in the episode, WowSan Record CEO Kim Yoon Joo visited his business model, Song Eun Yi, one of the entertainment industry’s most respected CEOs, who manages 22 artists. Seeking advice on how to promote his company’s year-end seasonal song, Song told Kim, “You have to push everywhere: music programs, radio, short-form content. As a CEO, you should be willing to put aside your pride for your artists.”
Inspired, Kim Yoon Joo later visited KBS’s entertainment division with her artists to secure an appearance on The Seasons – 10CM’s Pat-Pat, hosted by her husband Kwon Jung Yeol. He boldly stated that if they couldn’t appear on the show, they would cancel the seasonal release altogether, successfully winning over the producers. When asked if viewers would finally get to see a stage together with her husband, Kim replied, “If it’s for my artists, I will also bring Kwon Jung Yeol in a flower palanquin,” sparking anticipation.
The episode also followed Lee Soon Sil as she took on the challenge of getting a Korean cooking certification. Attempting notoriously difficult dishes like bibimbap and cured bellflower root, he struggled with strict preparation standards, even playfully shooting furtive glances at others during a mock exam. Despite the failures, he reaffirmed his determination to obtain licensure through continued practice.
After the broadcast, online communities and social media went wild with reactions like, “I’m rooting for Lee Soon Sil’s chef certification,” “Song Eun Yi and Kim Yoon Joo are really great bosses,” and “Kim Sook’s food descriptions are spot on.” Many viewers have compared the positive leadership shown on the program to the ongoing Park Na Rae controversy, fueling a wider discussion about workplace culture in entertainment.
Boss in the Mirror airs every Sunday at 4:40pm KST on KBS2.
Sources: Nate
