Chef Jung Ji-sun Shares Her Struggles with Discrimination on KBS2's 'Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears'

On February 23, 2025, KBS2's show '사장님 귀는 당나귀 귀' (Boss's Ears Are Donkey Ears) featured a heartfelt discussion among announcer Um Ji-in, chef Jung Ji-sun, and Lee Soon-sil, who resonated with Jung's story of discrimination in the culinary world.

The episode began with Um Ji-in inviting fellow announcers Kim Jin-woong and Hong Joo-yeon to her apartment. Kim Jin-woong, who frequently watches shows featuring Jeon Hyun-moo, humorously remarked that he might soon leave the company to pursue a freelance career, prompting Um Ji-in to tease him about his ambitions.

The trio then visited the home of former announcer Kim Sun-geun, where they were joined by announcer Kim Hyun-wook. Upon arrival, Kim Jin-woong stood to greet them, insisting he had 'invested his soul in KBS.' Jeon Hyun-moo chimed in, saying, 'You can leave your body but keep your soul here.' The conversation turned to the recent departures of colleagues, with Um Ji-in expressing concern about the uncertainty felt by those still working at KBS.

Curious about Kim Sun-geun's reasons for leaving after three years, Um Ji-in pointed out that many successful freelancers have strong connections or family wealth, questioning what Kim Sun-geun had that made his situation different. Kim Sun-geun candidly shared that financial pressures drove him to leave, recounting a moment during filming for '6시 내고향' when he received a call about a housing application that distracted him from his work. He revealed that he struggled for months without income, expressing gratitude for the support he received from singer Jang Yoon-jung, who gifted him 2 million won during his tough times.

As the discussion shifted to Jung Ji-sun's daily life, she visited chef Kim Hee-eun's fine dining restaurant, where they reminisced about their decade-long friendship. Jung Ji-sun was impressed by Kim Hee-eun's meticulous cooking style and the high-quality dishes served. She expressed her aspirations for the year, aiming to create a fine dining experience that showcases the delicate intricacies of Chinese cuisine.

Jung Ji-sun also reflected on her early career challenges, including the discrimination she faced as a female chef in a male-dominated industry. She recounted instances of physical abuse from senior chefs and the struggles of being taken seriously in her profession. Despite these hardships, she persevered, even going out for smoke breaks to bond with her colleagues, which she felt was necessary to avoid isolation.

The episode concluded with Jung Ji-sun sharing a particularly painful memory of injuring her hand while working, highlighting the pressure she felt to not show weakness in a demanding environment. Her emotional revelations resonated deeply with the audience, shedding light on the ongoing issues of discrimination and the challenges faced by women in the culinary field.