Culinary Pioneer Shim Young-soon Shares Heartfelt Moments with Friends on Channel A's Documentary

On January 20, at 8:10 PM, Channel A will air an episode featuring renowned culinary researcher Shim Young-soon on the show 'Close Friends Documentary – Four-Person Table.' As a trailblazer in traditional Korean cuisine, Shim will unveil her home, which she moved into two years ago, for the first time on television. She will host a New Year’s health feast for her close friends, including hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo, legendary wrestler Lee Man-ki, and trot singer Park Gun. Shim will showcase the traditional jars filled with fermented foods on her rooftop, a feature that left her friends in awe.

Once known as 'Oksoodong Teacher,' Shim has mentored many notable figures, including singer Shim Soo-bong and S Hotel CEO Lee Boo-jin, maintaining connections with her students for over 34 years. At 84, she continues to teach cooking classes weekly, demonstrating her unwavering passion for Korean cuisine. Lee Man-ki, another traditional culture bearer, will share his fateful encounter with wrestling, which began when he joined a special wrestling class after moving to Masan in fifth grade, eventually leading him to become the first champion of Korean professional wrestling.

Shim will also recount her battle with pancreatic cancer, highlighting the dedication of her second daughter, who prepared vegetable soup for her three times a day for a year, helping her regain her health. Similarly, Lee Man-ki will share a touching story about his mother, who underwent surgery for terminal stomach cancer at 71, and how he traveled to Naju to find grapes for her, believing they would aid her recovery.

Additionally, Shim will express her deep connection with her husband, Jang Young-soon, who shares her name, and will offer marriage advice to Park Gun, who is in his fourth year of marriage, and the stoic Lee Man-ki, who has been married for 66 years. She will reveal that after a quarrel, her husband’s playful gestures melt her heart, showcasing their enduring affection. As this episode may be her last, Shim will express gratitude to her friends who joined her for this special occasion.

Join Channel A every Monday at 8:10 PM for 'Close Friends Documentary – Four-Person Table' to explore the lives of stars alongside their closest friends.