Chef Jung Ji Sun has become a star after appearing on the latest hit reality show on Netflix, Culinary Class Wars, but fans have been left reeling by her revelation regarding her appearance fee.
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Jung revealed that she was paid significantly less than expected for starring in the hit show despite its runaway success.
In a recent radio show interview where Jung appeared on KBS Cool FM with DJ Park Myung Soo, she addressed the impact of the show.
We even asked very respectfully if she felt any change after appearing on Culinary Class Wars, and she told us that business was overflowing in her restaurant recently with a lot of foreigners.
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However, when Jung shared her rate for some of the appearances, it was much lower than one might think.
“One of the common questions was that people wanted to know how much I made doing Culinary Class Wars. at the normal pay scale,” she said.
When pressed by Park about the exact amount, suggesting it might be between ₩1 million KRW (about $726 USD) and ₩2 million KRW (about $1,450 USD), Jung admitted that it was even less than that.
Although the fee for appearing may not be a true measure of success (the show attracts the lowest viewership compared with other networks), exposure has certainly helped Jung, with restaurant bookings tripling. She also teased expansion to another location soon.
Jung admits the pay is not what she wanted it to be but remains grateful for the series’ huge impact on her career. While Culinary Class Wars continues to rake it in the ratings, Jung’s unexpected pay reveal has sparked debate between fans in and out of show business.
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Rovelyn Barba
