Huh Young-man
Self
Overview
The Korean table is a sight to behold. Dive into everything from grains to side dishes, and uncover what it takes to create the diverse and beloved meals.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 2 episodes
- First aired
- Oct 8, 2023
Cast
Reviews
4 min readThe Humble Feast: How A Nation of Banchan Turns Side Dishes Into Soul Food
I’ll admit it: I went into A Nation of Banchan expecting a glossy food travelogue, the kind where celebrities ooh and aah over dishes while a narrator drops factoids about fermentation. What I got instead was something quieter, more intimate—a documentary that treats banchan not just as food, but as a language of care, history, and even resistance. Two episodes shouldn’t be enough to make you feel this full, but here we are.
The series follows three hosts—comic artist Huh Young-man, actor Ryu Soo-young, and K-pop singer Mimi—as they crisscross South Korea, visiting restaurants, markets, and home kitchens to uncover the stories behind banchan. It’s a simple premise, but the execution is anything but. The camera lingers on hands chopping, stirring, seasoning; on steam rising from pots; on the way a grandmother’s fingers press kimchi into a jar with the precision of someone who’s done it a thousand times before.
There’s no rush here. The show moves at the pace of cooking itself—slow, deliberate, and deeply satisfying.
What’s striking is how the series frames banchan as more than just side dishes. In one scene, Huh Young-man describes them as “a reflection of generosity,” a way for Koreans to show love through food. It’s a sentiment that echoes throughout the episodes, whether it’s a chef explaining how his mother’s recipes kept their family afloat during hard times or a group of friends gathering to make kimchi together, laughing as they stuff cabbage leaves with spicy paste.
The show doesn’t just tell you that banchan is important; it shows you, in the way a mother scolds her son for not eating enough, or in the way a street vendor’s face lights up when a customer recognizes the effort behind a single dish.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of A Nation of Banchan: Korea’s Culinary Love Letter
A Nation of Banchan (2023) isn’t just another food travelogue—it’s a celebration of Korea’s obsession with banchan, the small but mighty side dishes that turn every meal into a feast. With a cast featuring legendary manhwa artist Huh Young-man, actor Ryu Soo-young, and singer Mimi, the series blends star power with street-level authenticity. But what really went into making this two-episode miniseries? Here’s what we know (and what remains a mystery).
A Star-Studded Food Pilgrimage
The series’ premise is simple: explore Korea’s culinary landscape through the lens of banchan, from high-end restaurants to humble ajumma-run eateries. Huh Young-man, best known for his iconic comics like Sikgaek (which inspired the film Le Grand Chef), brings a deep cultural reverence for food, while Ryu Soo-young and Mimi add mainstream appeal. Their chemistry—whether debating the perfect kimchi or marveling at a grandmother’s jang (fermented sauce)—drives the show’s charm 
.
But don’t expect scripted drama. The series thrives on spontaneity, with the trio traveling across Korea to uncover hidden gems. One snippet describes them eating at "world-class restaurants" and "places in between," suggesting a mix of Michelin-starred spots and local dives . The focus isn’t just on the food but on the stories behind it—how banchan reflects Korea’s history, regional diversity, and even its social rituals (like the ubiquitous greeting, "Did you eat?") .
A Short but Sweet Run
A Nation of Banchan premiered on October 8, 2023, as a two-episode miniseries . That’s right—just two installments to pack in Korea’s culinary soul. The brevity might disappoint binge-watchers, but it aligns with the trend of tight, high-impact food docs (think Netflix’s Street Food series). The question is: Was this always the plan, or did production constraints cut a longer season short? The evidence doesn’t say, but the tight runtime suggests a deliberate, snackable format .
The Netflix Factor (and a Confusing Mention)
Here’s where things get murky. One snippet from MyDramaList oddly references "the Netflix mini series called Melo Movie," alongside a vague review . This appears to be a SERP mix-up—A Nation of Banchan isn’t listed as a Netflix original in the provided evidence, and Melo Movie is a separate project. The mention might stem from a mislabeled cast page or a glitch in the search results. For now, treat this as a red herring: there’s no confirmed link between A Nation of Banchan and Netflix .
Why This Series Stands Out
Most food shows focus on the main dish, but A Nation of Banchan flips the script. The series dives into the "diverse and beloved" side dishes that define Korean meals, from fermented jang to seasonal vegetables . It’s a love letter to the banchan culture, where even a simple bowl of rice becomes a canvas for creativity. The cast’s genuine enthusiasm—Huh Young-man’s expertise, Ryu Soo-young’s curiosity, and Mimi’s relatability—makes the journey feel personal .
The only downside? Two episodes might leave viewers hungry for more. Rumors of a second season are nonexistent in the evidence, but if the show’s reception was strong, a follow-up isn’t out of the question. For now, fans will have to savor what’s on the table.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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