[Seoul=RNX News] Reporter Kim Ye-eun = In the climate environment project ‘Chef of Antarctica’ (Production: STUDIO X+U, MBC), Paik Jong-won, Im Soo-hyang, Suho, and Chae Jong-hyeop entered the Antarctic Sejong Science Base as ‘honorary members’ after undergoing grueling Antarctic initiation beyond imagination.
In the first episode of ‘Climate Environment Project – Chef of Antarctica’ released on the 17th by STUDIO X+U and MBC, Paik Jong-won, Im Soo-hyang, Suho, and Chae Jong-hyeop head to Antarctica, the forefront of climate change research. The four visited Antarctica for the first time with the status of ‘honorary members’ and visited Penguin Village, Sejong Base, and more.
Suho said, “Seeing extreme weather changes like heavy rains turning into heatwaves, I realized ‘it’s because of global warming.’ Just going to Antarctica made me feel a sense of responsibility and burden. I want to show the current situation of Antarctica well,” expressing his determination.
The ‘Honorary Members of Antarctica’ quartet prepared for their entry into Antarctica by receiving essential survival training including maritime safety training, fire safety training, and land safety training. Chae Jong-hyeop commented, “Receiving survival training made me think Antarctica is really dangerous.”
After completing all the preparations, the four arrived at Punta Arenas, Chile, the gateway city to Antarctica, after a long flight. Punta Arenas is only a 2-hour flight from King George Island, Antarctica, and is a gathering spot for researchers and explorers heading to ‘enter Antarctica.’
On the first day, after unpacking at their accommodation in Punta Arenas, Im Soo-hyang said, “It’s not Antarctica yet, but it felt like I’m really at the end of the world,” expressing her excitement and peace of mind. However, on the second day, a blizzard struck King George Island, and on the third day, there was a sheet of thin ice on the runway.
Even up to the fourth day, due to poor runway conditions, the flight to Antarctica was canceled, resulting in a decision against ‘entering Antarctica.’ The repeated cancellations left the honorary members in despair. However, fortunately, on the fifth day, they received confirmation of the date for entering Antarctica, and the flight was confirmed, finally bringing smiles to the honorary members.
The plane carrying the four honorary members heading to Antarctica arrived on King George Island, Antarctica, boasting a dimensionally different scale of snowy mountains as it passed the South American continent. Im Soo-hyang, stepping onto Antarctica for the first time, expressed her awe, saying, “It was a breathtaking moment.”
Suho reflected on the moment, saying, “It was a difficult moment to experience again in a lifetime,” sharing his impressions of being able to enter Antarctica after a long wait.
Then, to move to the Sejong Science Base, the honorary members boarded a rubber boat. As they approached ‘Marian Cove’ where the Sejong Science Base is located, small chunks of ice, broken off from icebergs or ice walls, were spotted.
Kwon Oh-seok, a maritime safety officer responsible for their safety, explained that the speed of ice wall collapse is accelerating in ‘Marian Cove’ due to climate change.
Compared to the past, the ice wall here had retreated about 2km, and by 2025, the bedrock had become exposed. The four directly witnessed the crisis in Antarctica, impacted by global warming.
Afterward, Paik Jong-won, Im Soo-hyang, Suho, and Chae Jong-hyeop arrived at the Antarctic Sejong Science Base, 17,240km away from South Korea.
The honorary members started their first schedule by paying homage for a moment of silence in front of the statue of the late Jeon Jae-kyu, who died in an accident 21 years ago while rescuing a fellow member who was stranded in a blizzard at sea, among other winter members.
Following this, the winter members gathered at ‘Sejong Hall,’ the only restaurant in an eating out barren land, for lunch.
An Chi-young, the original ‘Chef of Antarctica’ who was responsible for providing three meals a day for a year to the winter members, emphasized the meaning of meals in Antarctica by saying, “Eating three meals a day is the greatest joy. It is also a time to check on everyone’s well-being as everyone has different tasks.”
He went on, “I try to satisfy enjoyment in an isolated environment for a year, but it’s challenging for the members since eating out is difficult.
The members often say, ‘Chi-young’s food is good, but it would be nice if there was food made by someone else,’ welcoming the ‘honorary chefs of Antarctica’ who will present new flavors despite the lack of fresh ingredients.”
There is anticipation about what new flavors the ‘Chef of Antarctica’ quartet will bring to encourage the winter members in a limited environment.
The climate environment project ‘Chef of Antarctica’ is released every Monday at midnight on U+tv, U+ Mobile TV, and airs on MBC at 10:50 PM on the same Monday. (Photo courtesy = ‘Chef of Antarctica’)
