Amid growing controversy surrounding comedian Park Na Rae over allegations of workplace abuse, the Korean entertainment industry has been buzzing—particularly after Song Eun Yi drew praise for revealing her employee welfare practices on KBS2’s variety show Boss in the Mirror.
The January 4 broadcast of Boss in the Mirror (Episode 338) recorded a peak viewership rating of 7.3%, continuing its streak as the No.1 program in its time slot for 187 consecutive weeks, according to Nielsen Korea. The episode featured Chef Jung Ho Young hosting the first-ever “Boss in the Mirror Gourmet Workshop” in Tottori Prefecture, Japan, joined by MC Kim Sook and former baseball star Yang Joon Hyuk.
Invited by Tottori, a region known for its premium tuna, rice, and wagyu beef, Jung Ho Young kicked off a lavish culinary tour. Kim Sook and Yang Joon Hyuk’s participation sparked envy from Jun Hyun Moo and Park Myung Soo. Jung jokingly admitted he chose Kim Sook because she seemed “free,” and Yang Joon Hyuk because he looked “easy to boss around,” drawing laughter.
The trio began at Yonago Sakai Port, exploring a seafood market overflowing with freshly caught delicacies, including seasonal snow crabs. While Jung sampled crab after crab “for safety reasons,” Kim Sook and Yang Joon Hyuk were left empty-handed, prompting playful complaints. A hungry Yang even broke away from the group to buy crab buns, adding to the humor. The tasting continued with amberjack, sweet shrimp, assorted sashimi bowls, and grouper sashimi, with Jung sharing expert tips on pairing ingredients to elevate flavors.
The day concluded with a full snow crab course, earning rave reactions. Kim Sook praised the texture, likening it to “string cheese with perfect fibers,” as the first day of the gourmet workshop wrapped up on a high note.
Elsewhere in the episode, WowSan Record CEO Kim Yoon Joo visited her business role model, Song Eun Yi—one of the entertainment industry’s most respected CEOs, managing 22 artists. Seeking advice on promoting her company’s year-end seasonal song, Kim was told by Song, “You need to push everywhere—music shows, radio, short-form content. As a CEO, you should be willing to put your pride aside for your artists.”
Inspired, Kim Yoon Joo later visited KBS’s entertainment division with her artists to secure an appearance on The Seasons – 10CM’s Pat-Pat, hosted by her husband Kwon Jung Yeol. She boldly stated that if they couldn’t appear on the show, they would cancel the seasonal release altogether—successfully winning over producers. When asked if viewers could finally see a joint stage with her husband, Kim replied, “If it’s for my artists, I’ll even carry Kwon Jung Yeol in a flower palanquin,” raising anticipation.
The episode also followed Lee Soon Sil as she took on the challenge of earning a Korean cuisine certification. Attempting notoriously difficult dishes like bibimbap and seasoned bellflower root, she struggled with strict preparation standards, even jokingly sneaking glances at others during a mock exam. Despite setbacks, she reaffirmed her determination to earn the license through continued practice.
Following the broadcast, online communities and social media lit up with reactions such as, “Cheering for Lee Soon Sil’s chef certification,” “Song Eun Yi and Kim Yoon Joo are truly great bosses,” and “Kim Sook’s food descriptions are spot-on.” Many viewers contrasted the positive leadership showcased on the program with the ongoing Park Na Rae controversy, fueling broader discussion about workplace culture in entertainment.
Boss in the Mirror airs every Sunday at 4:40 p.m. KST on KBS2.
Sources: Nate