A variety show similar to Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" has emerged in China, raising allegations of plagiarism.
Tencent Video, an OTT platform operated by Chinese corporation Tencent, unveiled its new variety program "一饭封神(이판펑션·한 끼로 신이 되는 법)" on the 17th. According to the Chinese portal site Baidu, the program is a food competition variety show featuring 16 representative chefs battling against 84 street food experts.
Right after the release, there were criticisms that it was similar to the domestic variety show "Culinary Class Wars."
The 84 rookie chefs use nicknames like "Molecular Gastronomy Man" instead of their real names. After all the rookie chefs have appeared, the 16 famous chefs make their entrance on stage.
In the first round, only the rookie chefs are eliminated. As they showcase their special dishes within the time limit, professional judges evaluate the performances. The 16 famous chefs watch from above.
In the second round, a one-on-one competition takes place between the experts and the rookie chefs. The participants are dressed in black or white clothing within a set designed to resemble chess pieces.
Korean internet users reacted by saying, "This is blatantly 'Culinary Class Wars'" and "It’s absurd to create something so identical to what Netflix can’t even air in China," with reports indicating similar reactions in China.
Another issue is that they did not pay a fair price to Netflix. Netflix stated, "We have never sold the rights or format of 'Culinary Class Wars' in China" and noted, "We are currently discussing how to respond internally."