A major controversy has erupted in the entertainment industry as China’s major Netflix platform Tencent Video has released a new cooking reality show that appears to closely imitate Netflix’s hit Korean series “Culinary Class Wars.” The Chinese show “Yi Feng Shen” has sparked widespread backlash for allegedly copying the format without proper licensing, prompting Netflix to issue an official response addressing the plagiarism allegations.
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The Plagiarism Controversy Explained
Chinese show Yi Feng Shen sparks backlash for mimicking Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, which has not licensed its format. The controversy centers around striking similarities between the two cooking competition shows, including format structure, chef classification systems, and overall production design that mirror Netflix’s original Korean series.
Comparison: Original vs. Alleged Copy
| Aspect | Culinary Class Wars (Netflix) | Yi Feng Shen (Tencent Video) | Similarity Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | Netflix (Korean Original) | Tencent Video (Chinese) | Different platforms |
| Format | 100 chef competition | Similar chef competition format | Highly similar |
| Chef Categories | White Spoon vs Black Spoon | Similar classification system | Nearly identical |
| Hosts | Baek Jong Won & Anh Sung Jae | Different Chinese hosts | Format replication |
| Licensing Status | Original IP holder | No official license granted | Unauthorized copy |
Netflix’s Official Response
Netflix has confirmed that “no license was granted” for the Chinese adaptation, making this an unauthorized reproduction of their intellectual property. The streaming giant is taking the plagiarism allegations seriously and has indicated they are reviewing their legal options regarding the format infringement.
Culinary Class Wars: The Original Success Story
In May 2025, it won the Grand Prize in the Broadcast category at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, marking the first time an entertainment program has received this honor in the history of the Baeksang Arts Awards. The show’s unprecedented success made it a prime target for imitation, with Netflix’s cooking competition show “Culinary Class Wars” claiming the top spot in the non-English language series category for three consecutive weeks.
The original series featured celebrity chef Baek Jong Won and food critic Anh Sung Jae as hosts, creating a unique format that pitted 100 chefs against each other in an intense culinary battle.
Industry Impact and Legal Implications
This controversy highlights the growing problem of format theft in the global entertainment industry. When successful shows like Culinary Class Wars achieve international recognition, unauthorized copies often emerge in different markets, damaging the original creators’ intellectual property rights.
The incident has sparked discussions about:
International Copyright Protection: The need for stronger enforcement of format rights across borders Platform Responsibility: OTT platforms’ duty to verify licensing before releasing similar content Creative Integrity: Protecting original creators from unauthorized adaptations
For comprehensive analysis of entertainment industry copyright issues, check out our detailed entertainment law guide.
Fan Reactions and Industry Backlash
Korean and international fans have expressed outrage over the blatant copying, with social media campaigns calling for boycotts of the Chinese show. The controversy has also highlighted the cultural significance of Culinary Class Wars as a distinctly Korean production that should be respected as original intellectual property.
Season 2 Production Continues
Despite the controversy, Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars Season 2 is continuing production and aiming for release later in 2025. The success of the original series ensures that Netflix will continue investing in the franchise while protecting its format from unauthorized copies.
What This Means for Content Creators
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for content creators about the importance of:
Global Format Protection: Registering intellectual property rights internationally Platform Vigilance: Monitoring for unauthorized reproductions across different markets Legal Preparedness: Having mechanisms in place to respond quickly to format theft
For more insights into protecting creative content in the digital age, explore our content creation protection guide.
The Broader Context
The Culinary Class Wars plagiarism controversy reflects broader tensions in the global entertainment industry regarding format rights and cultural appropriation. As streaming platforms compete for content, the temptation to copy successful formats without proper licensing continues to pose challenges for original creators.
Watch the original Culinary Class Wars exclusively on Netflix and support authentic Korean content while the controversy over unauthorized copying continues to unfold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What specific elements of Culinary Class Wars did the Chinese show Yi Feng Shen allegedly copy?
A: The Chinese show Yi Feng Shen allegedly copied multiple core elements from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, including the overall competition format featuring 100 chefs, the distinctive classification system dividing participants into categories (similar to the white spoon vs black spoon concept), and the general production structure of the cooking battles. The similarities are so striking that fans and industry observers immediately recognized the format replication, leading to widespread backlash and Netflix’s confirmation that no licensing agreement was granted for the Chinese adaptation.
Q: What legal actions can Netflix take against the unauthorized Chinese copy of Culinary Class Wars?
A: Netflix has several legal options to pursue against the unauthorized copying, including filing copyright infringement claims in relevant jurisdictions, seeking injunctions to stop the distribution of the copied content, and pursuing damages for intellectual property theft. Since Netflix confirmed that “no license was granted” for the Chinese version, they have strong grounds for legal action. However, enforcement across international borders can be complex, particularly when dealing with different legal systems and jurisdictions. The case could set important precedents for format protection in the global streaming industry.
