Handsome Baker On A Variety Show Turns Out To Be A Former Idol
The identity of a handsome baker turned out to be a former idol.
The second episode of MBN’s variety show Master Baker: Bake Your Dream aired on February 8th, continuing the first-round mission to create a signature bread.
That day, a contestant who was staring intently at the participant nicknamed “Baking Idol” approached him and asked, “Why is your nickname Baking Idol?” Ju Young Seok, the “Baking Idol,” revealed, “I used to be an idol, a long time ago,” and the contestant who asked the question responded, “That’s why you’re so good-looking,” showing understanding.
Ju Young-seok shared, “In 2008, I debuted as part of a group called Smash under President Tony An’s company, but we weren’t very popular, so we went on a temporary hiatus.”

He added, “People in their 30s like me have generally reached a certain status, but I still feel like I’m living at the bottom, so when I asked myself ‘What should I do?’ a friend suggested I try learning baking. I was afraid but I went to learn. Honestly, baking is the thing I’ve worked hardest on in my life. I would put the bread in the oven, then spread out boxes in front and take short naps of two or three hours while working. But I was happy. I liked it. I thought of it as my last chance. As a baker, I consider this the second chapter of my life and I feel like I’m baking my dream every moment.”
Ju Young Seok’s milk cream croissant received high praise from judge Lee Seok Won. Lee said, “The dough lamination work is top-notch. The look was great, but honestly, I liked the cream even more.” Ju Young Seok’s result was a pass.
Ju Young Seok thanked the judges, saying, “It feels like the difficult eight or nine years are finally being rewarded. I went through a lot of hardship. Thank you.“