Core Points - The South Korean variety show "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," featuring President Lee Jae-myung and his wife, achieved a record high viewership rating of 8.9% on October 6, marking the highest since the show's inception [1][4] - This appearance is President Lee's first in a variety show in eight years, surpassing the previous highest rating of 7.4% [4] - The episode was pre-recorded on September 28, and instead of showcasing the President's refrigerator, it focused on representative local ingredients from Korea [4] Summary by Categories Viewership Performance - The show recorded an 8.9% viewership rating, the highest since its launch [1][4] - Previous highest rating was 7.4%, indicating a significant increase in audience engagement [4] Content and Format - The episode featured President Lee and his wife in formal attire, diverging from the usual format of revealing the guest's refrigerator [4] - The focus was on promoting Korean cuisine using local ingredients rather than the President's personal refrigerator [4] Context of Appearance - This marks President Lee's return to variety television after an eight-year hiatus, highlighting a strategic move to connect with the public [4]

Core Viewpoint - The rise of competitive cooking shows in China, influenced by the success of the Korean show "Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Warfare," indicates a shift in the culinary entertainment landscape, with platforms like Tencent Video and Youku launching similar formats to attract audiences [1][11]. Industry Trends - The new generation of cooking shows emphasizes competition and entertainment, moving away from the traditional soothing style of past culinary programs [3][8]. - The competitive format, featuring large-scale elimination rounds and class-based challenges, has revitalized interest in culinary content, although it remains to be seen if it can regain its former peak popularity [3][11]. Historical Context - Chinese culinary shows experienced significant success with programs like "A Bite of China" in 2012, which combined food with cultural storytelling, capturing global interest in Chinese cuisine [5]. - The introduction of competitive elements in shows like "Chef King" further enhanced the entertainment value and cultural exchange through culinary competitions [5][7]. Current Landscape - The market has seen a surge in culinary shows, but the oversaturation has led to issues of homogenization and formulaic content, creating a dilemma for producers [8][10]. - Recent shows like "One Meal to Seal the Gods" and "Hot Game: Hundred Chefs Battle" have adopted competitive formats but have not achieved the expected popularity, indicating a potential disconnect with the audience [11][13]. Market Reception - As of September 12, both "One Meal to Seal the Gods" and "Hot Game" have not made it into the top ten of effective viewership rankings, suggesting a lukewarm reception despite significant brand sponsorship [13]. - The competitive cooking format has attracted various brands for sponsorship, indicating some level of market interest, but the challenge remains to connect with a broader audience without relying on celebrity appeal [13].