Baek Jongwon, SUHO (EXO), and Chae Jong Hyeop, ”Antarctic Chefs,” have completed their stay in Antarctica... Teaser of a new taste

Baek Jong-won, Im Soo-hyang, Suho, and Choi Jong-hyup have entered the Sejong Science Station in Antarctica as honorary members of the team.

In the first episode of MBC's 'Climate Environment Project - Chef in Antarctica' (hereafter 'Chef in Antarctica'), released on the 17th, Baek Jong-won, Im Soo-hyang, Suho and Choi Jong-hyup embark on a journey to Antarctica, the forefront of climate change research. The four will first visit Antarctica as honorary members, touring Penguin Village and the Sejong Station. Suho conveyed his resolve: "Seeing abnormal weather patterns – heavy rain followed by intense heat – makes me feel 'this is due to global warming'. Going to Antarctica itself brings a sense of responsibility and burden. I want to properly show Antarctica's current situation."

The four 'Antarctic Honorary Members' underwent essential survival training – including maritime safety, fire safety, and land safety drills – to prepare for their Antarctic entry. Choi Jong-hyup remarked, "Undergoing survival training made me realise just how genuinely dangerous Antarctica is." After completing thorough preparations, the four arrived in Punta Arenas, Chile – the gateway city to Antarctica – following a lengthy flight. Punta Arenas boasts the geographical advantage of being only about a two-hour flight from King George Island in Antarctica, making it a gathering point for researchers and explorers heading into the Antarctic.

On the first day, after leaving their luggage at the Punta Arenas accommodation, Im Soo-hyang expressed her excitement, saying, "It's not Antarctica yet, but I thought, 'Am I really at the edge of the world?' I felt excited and at ease." However, on the second day, a blizzard raged over King George Island in Antarctica, and on the third day, ice formed on the runway. On the fourth day, poor runway conditions led to the cancellation of the flight to Antarctica, and permission to enter the continent was denied. The successive setbacks began to frustrate the honorary team members. Fortunately, on the fifth day, entry to Antarctica was confirmed.

The flight carrying the four honorary members crossed the South American continent and arrived at King George Island on Antarctica, a continent boasting snow-capped mountains of a different dimension. Im Soo-hyang, the first to set foot on Antarctica, was moved, declaring it "amazing". Seoho conveyed his impression of Antarctica, reached after a long wait: "It felt like a moment I might only experience twice in a lifetime."

The honorary members then boarded a rubber boat to move to the King Sejong Station. As they approached the King Sejong Station at Marriensomman, they encountered icebergs, ice walls, small ice floes, and drift ice. Kwon Oh-seok, the maritime safety officer responsible for their safety, explained that at Marriensomman, the speed at which ice walls collapse is accelerating due to climate change. Compared to the past, the ice walls here have retreated approximately 2 kilometres, and by 2025, the bedrock is now visible. The four witnessed firsthand the crisis facing Antarctica, which has borne the brunt of the changes brought by global warming.

Subsequently, Baek Jong-won, Im Soo-hyang, Suho, and Choi Jong-hyup arrived at the King Sejong Station in Antarctica, 17,240 kilometres from South Korea. The honorary team members, like other overwintering team members before them, began their first schedule by observing a moment of silence before the bronze statue of the late team member Jeong Jae-gyu, who died in an accident while going out to sea to rescue a colleague stranded in a blizzard 21 years ago. They then completed the entire admission process.

As the original 'Antarctic Chef', culinary team member An Chi-yong prepared three meals a day for a full year, overseeing the wintering crew's meals. He emphasised the significance of meals in Antarctica, stating, "Eating three meals a day is the greatest pleasure. As everyone has different tasks, it's also a time to confirm we're all properly alive." He continued, "We strive to find enjoyment in this isolated environment for a year, but dining out is difficult, making it hardest for the crew members." The crew welcomed the 'Honorary Antarctic Members' who introduced new flavours amid the scarcity of fresh ingredients, as they remarked, 'Chef Chiyong's food is delicious, but it would be nice to have food prepared by someone else.'

Meanwhile, 'Climate Environment Project - Antarctic Chef' airs every Monday at midnight on U+tv and U+ Mobile TV, and on MBC at 10:50pm on Mondays.