Chinese Platform Accused of Copying Culinary Class Wars: Netflix Takes Legal Action
Netflix has formally demanded that Chinese streaming giant Tencent Video stop distributing a cooking show that allegedly copies every aspect of the hit Korean series "Culinary Class Wars," from camera angles to background music.
The controversy erupted after Tencent launched "Yi Fan Feng Shen" (Becoming a God with One Meal) on July 17, 2025. The Chinese show features 100 chefs in a competition format nearly identical to Netflix's original, including the signature "Black Spoon" versus "White Spoon" concept that pits unknown chefs against celebrity cooks.
Scene-by-Scene Copying Alleged
At Netflix's 2025 Variety Festival in Seoul on September 2, producer Kim Hak-min revealed the shocking extent of similarities. "Director Yoo Ki-hwan sent me the link, and I watched it directly. From the opening, it was almost identical cut by cut," Kim said. "Our team worked all night on those scenes, and seeing them copied down to the background music was disheartening."
Critics point out that beyond the basic format, the Chinese version replicates stage layouts, lighting design, contestant uniforms, camera positioning, and editing techniques. Even the color schemes and competition structure mirror the Korean original exactly.
Netflix Fights Back
Netflix confirmed it never licensed the format to any Chinese company and is "currently discussing appropriate action". Content director Yoo Ki-hwan described it as "clear intellectual property infringement beyond simple similarity."
The streaming giant has now escalated to formal legal action. Netflix has officially protested to Tencent demanding they suspend distribution of the program, marking one of the most aggressive stances the company has taken against content piracy.
Global Success Makes Target
Culinary Class Wars became the first Korean variety show to top Netflix's global non-English rankings for three consecutive weeks, making it an attractive target for copying. The show garnered 3.8 million views in its first week and appeared in Top 10 lists across 18 countries.
The success stems from its unique premise where 80 unknown "Black Spoon" chefs challenge 20 elite "White Spoon" celebrity cooks for a ₩300 million prize, creating compelling underdog narratives that resonated worldwide.
Cultural Appropriation Concerns
The controversy extends beyond format theft. During kimchi preparation scenes, the Chinese show allegedly referred to the traditional Korean dish as "paocai," a different Chinese pickled vegetable. This has sparked additional outrage from Korean cultural preservation advocates.
Even Chinese viewers have criticized the blatant copying. Social media comments include "This is outright plagiarism" and "Even the stage and format are identical."
Season 2 Proceeds Despite Controversy
Despite the plagiarism dispute, Netflix confirmed Culinary Class Wars Season 2 will premiere in December 2025. Judges Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae will return, though Paik faces separate business controversies.
Director Yoo addressed concerns about proceeding: "We considered the impact on 100 participating chefs and 300-400 staff members. We decided to move forward and let viewers make their judgment."
Industry Implications
This case highlights growing challenges in protecting Korean content as it gains global popularity. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos previously revealed that "not a single episode" of Netflix content cleared China's censorship board during three years of market entry attempts, creating an environment where unauthorized copying can flourish.
The outcome of Netflix's formal protest may establish important precedents for how international platforms can protect original content from systematic copying in restricted markets. As Korean entertainment continues its worldwide expansion, intellectual property protection becomes increasingly critical for creators and distributors.