The warmth of a single piece of dessert has touched the hearts of viewers worldwide.
Coupang Play’s original variety show “Bonjour Bakery,” which opened for business on the 8th, is creating a huge stir globally. A collaboration between PD Park Geun-hyung of “You Quiz on the Block” and writer Kim Ran-ju of “2 Days & 1 Night,” the show is being praised for opening a new horizon for healing variety shows with its unprecedented concept of a “dessert cafe exclusively for seniors.”
“Bonjour Bakery” has sparked a syndrome beyond Korea. In its first week of release, it ranked #1 in the weekly charts for Southeast Asia on the global OTT platform Rakuten Viki and entered the Top 10 in 127 countries, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. What makes “Bonjour Bakery” so charming as it delivers warmth and comfort across borders?
The concept itself is impressive. Set in a quiet rural village, “Bonjour Bakery” presents a special space where only seniors aged 65 and older and their companions can enter. The program started from writer Kim Ran-ju’s simple realization that “the happiness of seniors is simpler than we think.” The heart of the show is the sweet plan to serve French baking made with healthy, local ingredients to seniors who may not have experienced dessert culture due to their busy lives.
As the planning suggests, the real stars are the seniors. PD Park Geun-hyung shared that simply watching the seniors smile brightly while enjoying desserts was a healing experience for the production team as well. “Bonjour Bakery” calmly captures the magical process of exotic desserts turning an ordinary day into a special moment for seniors, without any provocative editing. This warmth extends to the viewers’ homes, offering a moment of rest.
The sincerity and solidarity shown by the cast further enhance the program’s authenticity. First, “Chef Cha” Cha Seung-won, who is in charge of the kitchen, struggles as he challenges himself with French baking for the first time in his life. While describing baking, which allows no margin of error unlike general cooking, as “cold science,” his dedication to baking bread despite the exhaustion is truly touching. Meanwhile, the youngest member, Lee Ki-taek, brings energy to the kitchen with his tireless passion.
The hall team, who communicate directly with the guests, is also shining. “Owner” Kim Hee-ae, who leads the bakery with a gentle smile, put in great effort for high-quality service, even completing barista training before filming. Additionally, Kim Seon-ho, transformed into a sweet barista, showed immense passion by rigorously practicing every recipe, feeling a responsibility to make this dessert a “first-time memory” for the seniors. His attentive communication with the seniors makes the nickname “National Grandson” well-deserved, warming the entire atmosphere.
The space, which perfectly captures the local atmosphere, is another highlight. The production catches the eye by actively utilizing the beautiful scenery and specialties of Gochang, Jeonbuk. The team combined traditional French baking techniques with Gochang’s proud seasonal ingredients, such as green barley, bokbunja (black raspberry), and blueberries. This was a clever and thoughtful strategy to make unfamiliar desserts feel more familiar to the seniors.
The dessert lineup, created after long research with actual pâtissiers, is breathtaking. From the “Green Barley Tart,” which shapes the mountains of Gochang, to tarts inspired by the camellia flowers of Seonunsa Temple and croissants filled with Gochang bokbunja jam, these treats stimulate both sight and taste. Moving beyond simple food, these well-made desserts that embody local sentiment and the season complete the show’s unique visual mise-en-scène and meaning.
“Bonjour Bakery” also shows the production team’s thoughtful gaze toward the seniors in every corner of the set and props. The team showed delicacy by choosing floor tiles in comfortable tones to ensure the space didn’t feel unfamiliar. Furthermore, they created separate dessert cards with friendly photos and descriptions for seniors who might find French menus difficult, and placed magnifying glasses on every table so they could read the text easily. From wide tables and comfortable chairs for long stays to oversized coffee cups to preserve warmth, every production detail follows the clear principle that “the seniors are the protagonists.”
“Bonjour Bakery” rejects the recent variety trend dominated by dopamine and provocative editing. Just as bread slowly rises in the oven, the show is expected to leave a touching lingering impression each episode as the rough trajectories of the seniors’ lives and the sincerity of the cast slowly intersect.
“Bonjour Bakery,” which succeeded in dominating global charts with its heartwarming concept, is now available on Coupang Play.
