Sikgaek - Le Grand Chef's on the small screen

Despite topping the movie charts in Korea, Le Grand Chef was a movie which I did not enjoy. Check out HelloHallyu's Le Grand Chef's movie review here. Ok, having gotten my thoughts of the movie out of the way, I do actually wonder how SBS's version of the story will unfold on the small screen over 24 episodes. Perhaps the length of the drama will do justice to a poorly developed and rather predictable plot of it big screen version.

Only time will tell.

Fans in Korea will get their first bite of the cuisine showcased on the drama as it will hit their small screens tomorrow (17 Jun 2008). Fans like me, as usual, will have to wait our turn for the dvd release.

Going by the description of the drama by The Korean Herald's article "'Sikgaek' sets off on new culinary journey", the drama looks set to whet our taste buds with more delectable Korean cuisince, a la Jewel of the Palace-style. Read the extract of the article below to get a feel of which I am trying to say. Truly, nothing beats the visual impact of seeing a chef slicing, dicing, chopping and throwing all the wonderful stuff into pots, pans, woks, and creating works of culinary art and delight.

"Judging from the 40-minute preview screening last week, SBS' "Sikgaek" promises to bring classic drama-making elements to audiences nationwide. Rivalry, love triangles and heritage all factor into this miniseries. Glossy shots of Korean palace food, the rival chefs Seong-chan and Oh Bong-ju - played by Kim Rae-won and Kwon Oh-jung respectively - and the beautiful woman whom they long for, played by actress Kim So-yun, hinted at the potential soap opera to come.

But sequences featuring vast persimmon farms, cattle, and a crying child eating stew promised a different story, one that involved the heart of Korean cuisine: the story of the land itself and the people who harvested it."

Korean cuisine aside, images of Korean rural life and scenic spot are always something which I enjoy seeing in a good drama. Lines of grape vines bring back memories of Yoon Eun Hye's and Oh Man Seok's - The Man in the Vineyard, while the fog enshrouded mountain in Jeju brings to mind Hyun Bin's long climb up the mountain in search for his love in My Lovely Samsoon. Ah, the power of, beautiful, images.

Looking at The Korean Herald's description, I am sure viewers are in for a treat! This alone is good enough reason for me to wait out for the dvd release of Sikgaek. But I would definitely track any entertainment news reports on it just to make sure it's worth my money. After all, in times of hyper-inflation, one can never be too careful with money. Yes, not even with my beloved Korean dramas.