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The drama " Final Table » continues to build anticipation for its premiere on JTBC. After introducing Ahn Hyo-seop as a mysterious chef from abroad, the drama now offers a behind-the-scenes look at his script reading. This is an opportunity to discover not only Hong Hwa-yeon, Chang Ryul and Jung Yoo-jin in their roles, as well as Jang Young-nam and Cha Ji-yeon, whose rivalry is expected to add another battle to the one unfolding in the kitchen.
«Final Table» will bring together talented Korean chefs working all over the world to participate in «The Table: K-Chef 2026», a competition to determine the best Korean chef.
The script reading took place in the presence of director Kim Do-hoon and a large portion of the cast, including Ahn Hyo-seop, Hong Hwa-yeon, Chang Ryul, Jung Yoo-jin, Jang Young-nam, and Cha Ji-yeon. And right from that first meeting, each of them seemed to have begun to develop a very distinct personality.
Ahn Hyo-seop and Chang Ryul: Two Chefs Ready to Face Off
Ahn Hyo-seop plays Kang Han, an enigmatic chef who has spent most of his career working in restaurants abroad.
During the reading, the actor naturally switched between several languages to bring his character to life. He also reportedly changed his demeanor during the scenes set during the competition, adopting a serious expression and showing particular concentration when Kang Han presented his dishes to the judges.
Among those facing him will be Cha Woo-jin, played by Chang Ryul.
He heads Exception, billed as a top-tier restaurant. As executive chef, Woo-jin has enough charisma and authority to immediately set the tone in his kitchen. The showdown between the two men is therefore likely to be one of the key storylines of the competition.
But kitchens won't be the only important setting in the story.
Hong Hwa-yeon performs Choi Song-yi, the dining room manager at the Familia restaurant. Determined to keep her restaurant afloat despite the many challenges she faces, she stands out for her resilience. During the table read, the actress reportedly highlighted this strength of character through her lines.
Jung Yoo-jin rounds out the main quartet in the role of Seon Jung-won, executive producer of «The Table: K-Chef 2026.» She will therefore be one of the people directly in charge of the competition around which the drama revolves, with a leadership style described as calm and caring.
Another war is brewing far from the kitchens
Reading the script also allows you to learn more about two characters who are likely to add a much more tense element to the story.
Jang Young-nam She plays Moon Hae-sun, chairwoman of the Pyeongyeon Group, the leading company in South Korea’s restaurant industry. The actress reportedly set a cold tone right from the start of the table read, offering a first glimpse of her character’s authority.
Facing her, Cha Ji-yeon played by Baek Hyun-joo, her half-sister.
And their family ties are unlikely to make their relationship any warmer. Hyun-joo has her sights set on the position of chairwoman of the Pyeongyeon Group, currently held by Hae-sun. Her presence is therefore likely to spark a second front of conflict, this time centered on power and succession within the company.
«Final Table» shouldn't, therefore, be reduced to simply a search for the best chef. Between the culinary competition, professional ambitions, the survival of Familia, and the power struggles surrounding Pyeongyeon, several characters will have something to gain—or to lose.
«Final Table» will premiere on October 24 at 10:40 p.m. KST on JTBC and will be available internationally on Prime Video.
