Huh Young-man
Self
Overview
Embark on a gastronomic adventure of kimchi and discover what makes it Korea's most symbolic food of unity, history and ever-evolving creativity.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 2 episodes
- First aired
- Sep 10, 2023
Cast
Reviews
4 min readFermented Time: How A Nation of Kimchi Turns a Dish Into a Country
I’ve always thought of kimchi as something you eat while waiting for the main course—spicy, crunchy, a little funky, the kind of thing that clears your sinuses before the real meal arrives. But after watching A Nation of Kimchi, I realized I’d been treating it like a condiment when it’s actually the whole damn story. This two-episode Netflix miniseries doesn’t just show you how kimchi is made; it lets you feel the weight of it—the hands that chop, the salt that stings, the jars that sit in the dark for months, waiting.
It’s a documentary about food, yes, but also about time, labor, and the quiet ways a culture remembers itself.
The show’s hosts—Huh Young-man, a comic artist whose work has shaped Korea’s visual language for decades; Ryu Soo-young, an actor with the easy charm of someone who’s spent a lifetime pretending to be other people; and Mimi, the K-pop star whose presence feels like a bridge to younger audiences—are an odd trio, but their chemistry is what makes the series sing. Huh, in particular, carries the weight of a man who’s seen his country change in ways he both celebrates and mourns.
When he talks about kimchi, it’s with the reverence of someone describing a family heirloom. Ryu, meanwhile, plays the everyman, asking the questions the audience might—why do some regions use seafood while others don’t? Why is the color so different in Jeolla?—and Mimi, with her wide-eyed enthusiasm, reminds us that tradition isn’t just for the old.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of A Nation of Kimchi: The Unfiltered Journey of Korea’s Beloved Fermented Dish
The 2023 series A Nation of Kimchi isn’t just another food show—it’s a love letter to Korea’s most iconic dish, served with a side of humor, adventure, and cultural pride. latestnetflix.com's take is that Starring the legendary manhwa artist Huh Young-man, actor Ryu Soo-young, and K-pop idol Mimi, the series takes viewers on a nationwide tour to explore the soul of kimchi, from traditional recipes to modern twists.But what really went down behind the cameras? Here’s what we know (and what’s still a mystery).
The Cast’s Kimchi Confessions
The trio at the heart of A Nation of Kimchi brought wildly different perspectives to the table. Huh Young-man, a cultural icon in Korea, is no stranger to food storytelling—his work often blends culinary traditions with sharp social commentary. Sources suggest his on-screen chemistry with Ryu Soo-young, a veteran actor known for his versatility, was electric, with the two playfully debating the "right" way to make kimchi 
. Mimi, the youngest of the group, reportedly brought a fresh, youthful energy, though her own kimchi-making skills were put to the test—and sometimes hilariously failed .
One standout moment, teased in snippets, involved the hosts being challenged to eat increasingly spicy kimchi varieties. Ryu Soo-young’s reactions were described as "legendary," though the exact footage remains a highlight fans are still hunting for .
A Travelogue with a Mission
A Nation of Kimchi wasn’t just about eating—it was about discovery. The hosts crisscrossed Korea, visiting local markets, farms, and family-run restaurants to document how kimchi varies by region. From the salted seafood-rich jeotgal kimchi of the coast to the radish-heavy kkakdugi of the north, the series framed kimchi as a living, evolving tradition .
A recurring theme was the show’s gentle but firm message: "Don’t criticize other people’s customs—and don’t criticize their kimchi!" . This line, delivered by Huh Young-man, became a rallying cry for the series, emphasizing respect for regional differences. Whether the hosts were learning from grandmothers in rural villages or sampling fusion kimchi in Seoul’s trendy eateries, the show positioned itself as both a celebration and an education.
The Unanswered Questions
For all its charm, A Nation of Kimchi leaves some mysteries unsolved. The series’ director and production team remain unnamed in available sources, and details about behind-the-scenes tensions or bloopers are nonexistent 
. Rumors swirl about a potential second season, but with no official confirmation, fans are left to rewatch the first (and only) batch of episodes.
Another gap? The show’s reception. While IMDb and MyDramaList list the series, neither provides audience ratings or critical reviews in the snippets . Was it a hit? A cult favorite? The jury’s still out.
Why This Show Matters
At its core, A Nation of Kimchi is more than a food show—it’s a cultural time capsule. By spotlighting kimchi’s role in Korean identity, the series taps into broader conversations about tradition, innovation, and national pride. The hosts’ dynamic, blending humor with reverence, makes the subject accessible without diluting its significance.
For now, the show’s legacy hinges on its ability to make viewers hungry—for food, for travel, and for the stories behind what we eat. And if the evidence is any indication, it succeeded.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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