tvN’s hit variety show Undercover Chef isn’t done just yet. On September 18, the network announced a brand-new spin-off titled “Undercover Chef: Friends Who Came From Afar,” and this time, the tables are turning in the most literal way possible.
The original series followed Korea’s top chefs as they went undercover as the lowest-ranking staff at restaurants in the countries where they trained — stripped of their status and navigating unfamiliar kitchens and language barriers. Sam Kim worked in Parma, Italy; Jung Ji Sun in Chengdu, China; and Kwon Sung Jun in Naples, Italy. The show was a genuine ratings hit, topping its time slot throughout its run and peaking at an impressive 8.6% rating for its July finale.
Now, the spin-off flips that dynamic entirely. Instead of Korean chefs being the junior staff abroad, their overseas colleagues will travel to Korea, where the Korean chefs get to play host as owner-chefs welcoming their international friends into unfamiliar territory.
According to the production team, scheduling wasn’t easy given that all the chefs run their own restaurants, but the Naples and Chengdu teams have already wrapped filming. Unfortunately, Sam Kim’s Parma team couldn’t join this round — though the team confirmed they’re still planning a Korea visit in February next year, with hopes of reuniting everyone down the line.
Undercover Chef: Friends Who Came From Afar
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Spin-Off Concept | Overseas chefs visit Korea |
| Confirmed Teams | Naples (Kwon Sung Jun), Chengdu (Jung Ji Sun) |
| Team Not Joining Yet | Parma (Sam Kim) — expected February |
| Original Show Peak Rating | 8.6% (Nielsen Korea) |
| Network | tvN |
| Premiere | Later this year |
With a fresh setting and reversed roles, the spin-off promises plenty of new chemistry and unexpected moments as the visiting chefs experience Korean gastronomy for the first time.
While waiting for the spin-off, fans can catch the original Undercover Chef with subtitles on Viki.
Korean cuisine’s global rise has made shows like this especially popular internationally — read more about it on Wikipedia.
For more K-variety show updates and premiere news, keep following TechnoSports.
