BBC Studios has unveiled its latest Korean culinary adventure series, “Ed & Ryu: Mad About Seafood”, premiering on 22nd March across Asia on BBC Earth and BBC Player. Hosted by acclaimed Korean-American chef and Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars” finalist Edward Lee and South Korean actor and TV chef Ryu Soo-young, the four-part series takes viewers on a deep dive into Korea’s rich seafood heritage.
In a true fish-out-of-water adventure, Chef Edward Lee returns to his motherland to explore South Korea’s rich seafood traditions and maritime heritage. Seafood had never been the star of Lee’s kitchen, but in Korea – where it’s woven into everyday life – he finds himself challenging his own perspectives. To navigate the language, regional customs, culture, and history, he is joined by Korea’s beloved culinary personality Ryu Soo-young and his encyclopaedic food knowledge.
Across four episodes, the duo navigate seasonal seafood traditions that mark each of Korea’s distinct four seasons from trying a centuries-old technique to gather seaweed in winter to racing across mud flats to dig for clams in spring and diving with Jeju’s world-famous female haenyeo divers in summer.
Beyond mouth-watering dishes, the series also explores Korea’s deep bond with the sea that helped the nation overcome decades of hardship. From transforming the famously ‘ugly’ monkfish into a gourmet art to UNESCO-listed bamboo anchovy weirs and the central role women play in keeping seafood traditions alive, it showcases Korea’s story of resilience and reinvention.
“We can’t wait for audiences to dive into this new adventure with “Ed & Ryu: Mad About Seafood,” said Ryan Shiotani, Senior Vice President of Content at BBC Studios Asia. “Following the success of” Deep Dive Korea: Song Ji-hyo’s Haenyeo Adventure” last year, it’s clear our viewers across the region are eager for stories that feel deeply personal and rooted in Asia, but speak to everyone. Edward and Ryu bring exactly that in this series where their natural chemistry offers a fresh, funny, and deeply human perspective that takes Korean seafood heritage resonate far beyond its shores.”
On why he joined this series, Edward Lee said, “I wanted to show the world the beauty, diversity, and history of seafood in Korea. Globally Korean food has gained so much popularity but it is still mostly known for its Korean BBQ. It is time that the culture of Korean seafood has the spotlight and I am so proud to be a part of this project.”
Ryu Su Young also added, “Korean cuisine is now widely loved around the world under the name K-food. Dishes such as Korean BBQ and Korean fried chicken are easy to find overseas. However, as a country surrounded by the sea on three sides, seafood is an essential part of Korean cuisine. I wanted to show global audiences just how diverse and delicious Korean seafood truly is, and I was very happy to join this series.”
Stream the premiere of “Ed & Ryu: Mad About Seafood” on BBC Player every Sunday, from 22nd March at 9pm. The series will also be available at the same time on the BBC Earth channel, available on Astro channel 554 and UnifiTV channel 501.
