Kwanghee calls out 'Street Food Fighter' crew: “I’m 38 now… I really hated them”

TV personality Hwang Kwang-hee didn't hold back when talking about the challenges he faced filming JTBC’s upcoming variety show Street Food Fighter (길바닥 밥장사).

During the press conference on April 7, held at Stanford Hotel Korea in Sangam-dong, Seoul, producers Kim Min-seok, Kim So-young, and cast members Ryu Soo-young, Chef Fabri, Shin Hyun-ji, and Bae In-hyuk joined Hwang to introduce the new food-travel series.

When asked how he felt about joining the program, Hwang shared, “I’ve been offered cooking-related shows before, but it started to feel like too much pressure. I’m good at helping out — not exactly at cooking. But I figured, why not give cooking a real try this time? After three episodes, though, I was totally drained.”

He added, half-jokingly, “I knew one of the writers and asked, ‘How could you cast me in this?’ They said, ‘We chose you because you’re you.’ It was really hard. I’m 38 now, and I thought, ‘Maybe this is what it takes to become a grown-up.’ I even hated the directors for a bit — not because they yelled, but because they just stood there silently. I had nothing to say in response!”

🍲 What Is Street Food Fighter?

JTBC’s new variety show Street Food Fighter (길바닥 밥장사) is entering the crowded genre of “K-food abroad” — but the production team insists it’s not just another travel-meets-cooking program. Instead, they’re betting on spontaneity, sweat, and a dose of “romance” to make their show stand out.

The cast includes:

“Chef Onam” Ryu Soo-young

15-year Michelin chef Fabri

“Professional Helper” Hwang Kwang-hee

“All-rounder” Shin Hyun-ji

“Hardworking Talent” Bae In-hyuk

“Work Genius” Jeon So-mi

Together, they promise to deliver delicious Korean food, lively banter, and a dash of chaos.

🍳 Food Bikes, Fresh Streets, and Daily Challenges

The show features a group of culinary-minded cast members traveling across Spain, bringing the flavors of Korean cuisine to the streets — literally. The team rides food bikes to cook and serve meals while exploring the Mediterranean.

“It’s about tackling street food sales for the first time,” said CP Kim. “Each day, the location and menu change. We wanted to create constant variation.”

Director Kim So-young added, “We aimed for a show with extreme creative freedom. And that goal was completely fulfilled during filming — we’re very satisfied.”

🌇 What Sets This Show Apart?

With several existing Korean shows already showcasing K-food overseas, the team acknowledged the risk of repetition. But they’re confident Street Food Fighter has something different.

“We have romance,” said PD Kim. “Because of the food bikes, we could dive into the alleyways of each city. We were able to fully immerse ourselves in the local atmosphere. Every day felt like a fresh start.”

“For Ryu Soo-young, this was his first time selling food on the street. For Fabri, it was his first time cooking on the sidewalk,” she continued. “It felt like watching freshmen in college — everything was new and exciting.”

CP Kim also noted the open-air nature of the ‘360-degree restaurant’ meant lots of interaction among the cast, and each day’s new recipes and guests kept the energy high.

“It’s a very different rhythm from other food shows.”

🛒 Ryu Soo-young: “We Really Struggled — But That’s Now a Beautiful Memory”

Ryu Soo-young shared the realities of cooking in Spain:

“People talk about a K-food wave, but that’s mostly in English-speaking countries. In Cádiz, Spain, there were no Korean marts or restaurants. It was hard to even find ingredients.”

He continued, “Every day after filming, we had to rush to shop and prep. It was a challenge. But we cooked at eye level with everyday viewers — that was our approach.”

Chef Fabri added, “Apparently a Korean restaurant opened in Cádiz after we filmed. People who worked with us told us that. Korean food is becoming popular, and we were part of that.”

Despite the tough conditions, the cast said they came away with unforgettable memories.

“We were exhausted every day, selling different dishes at different locations,” said Ryu. “It wasn’t easy to rework the recipes after filming. But we all made it through.”

“This was one of the biggest experiences of my life,” Fabri agreed. “Please enjoy watching it.”

📺 Street Food Fighter premieres April 8, airing every Tuesday at 10:40 p.m. KST on JTBC.

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