South Korea’s 'Gen Z Culinary Takeover' Is Complete: Kyu Lyn Kim and Hwi Won Son Are Dominating the Scene: "The Era of Middle School Chefs Is Nearing Completion"

Kyu Lyn Kim sweeps 15 titles in a year; with rising star Hwi Won Son by her side, the future of K-food looks brighter than ever.

[‘The Talk of the Town: Korea's Middle School Chef Duo’. 〈Left〉: Rising star Chef Hwi Won Son, 〈Right〉 The reigning middle school chef Kyu Lyn Kim. (File footage courtesy of Student Reporter Mun Su Kim, KYCT)]

The age barrier in South Korea’s culinary world is officially cracking. A new era is dawning in a territory once dominated strictly by veteran chefs, and it is being driven entirely by middle schoolers.
 
At the forefront of this movement is Kyu Lyn Kim (Jamsil Middle School, 3rd grade), widely regarded as the undisputed No. 1 young chef in the country. Kyu Lyn Kim recently made history by becoming the youngest-ever Grand Slammer, sweeping the Grand Prize and two Ministerial Awards back-to-back at both the 2025 Korea World Food Championship and the 2026 Korea International Culinary & Pastry Competition—bringing her total to an astonishing 15 major titles.
 
But she is no longer flying solo. Joining her to take this youth movement to the next level is Hwi Won Son (Gangneung Solol Middle School, 2nd grade), a rising phenom known for his relentless work ethic and fierce determination. Together, they have turned what once looked like a fluke into an undeniable, rock-solid mainstream trend.
 

[-〈Top Left〉 The duo of Kyu Lyn Kim and Hwi Won Son sharing the joy of achieving a Grand Slam. 〈Top Right〉 The unrivaled middle school chef, Kyu Lyn Kim, placing her own chef's hat on the rising star chef, Hwi Won Son. 〈Bottom Left〉 The duo of Kyu Lyn Kim and Hwi Won Son having a recipe meeting. 〈Bottom Right〉 The top-ranked middle school chef, Kyu Lyn Kim, carefully reviewing the cooking process of the rising star chef, Hwi Won Son. (File footage courtesy of Student Reporter Mun Su Kim, KYCT)]

■ Blood, Sweat, and Kitchen Stations: The Making of Two Young Icons
Kyu Lyn Kim's rise to the top of South Korea's youth culinary scene has been nothing short of meteoric. Starting with a humble silver medal just a year ago, she practically lived at her cooking station, masterfully bridging the gap between Korean and Western cuisines. Her spot at the top isn't a stroke of luck—it’s the raw result of pure, relentless hustle.
 
Now, her solitary journey has evolved into a powerhouse partnership with Hwi Won Son. Traveling all the way from Gangneung, Son has been honing his knife skills since the third grade. On top of that, his years of boxing have gifted him with the kind of explosive stamina that keeps him sharp during grueling kitchen shifts.

 
Son recently proved his mettle by taking home a silver medal at the 2026 Korea International Culinary & Pastry Competition—a massive feat for a major debut. "This was Hwi Won’s very first major stage," said Lee Jun-woo, Director of the Korea Young Chef Team (KYCT). "A silver medal right out of the gate is just the baseline for him. Every mentor here agrees that with his kind of work ethic, that silver will turn to gold in no time." Son is already being hailed as the natural heir to the youth culinary crown Kyu Lyn Kim built.
 
■ 200 Kilometers and Brushing Off the Awkwardness: A Partnership Built on Silent Trust
The bond between these two prodigies is anchored in mutual respect, defying the 200-kilometer distance between Gangneung and Seoul. Impressed by Son’s dedication—commuting every single week just to put his head down and cook—Kyu Lyn Kim was the first to reach out. That gesture sparked the birth of the most formidable youth culinary duo in the country.
 
Off the clock, the two are still teenagers who get too shy to even make direct eye contact. But the moment the kitchen lights go up and the pressure mounts, they become each other's ultimate anchor. They don't need words to keep each other in check; their silent synchronization guides them through the physical exhaustion and creative slumps of high-stakes cooking. From conceptualizing a menu to the final plating, their ability to trust and balance one another has become their greatest competitive edge.
 
■ Don't Just Look at the Age: The Maturity Shocking the Veterans
Industry veterans aren't looking for flawless, finished perfection from these kids just yet. They are, after all, still growing and learning. To judge their entire future as chefs based solely on their current technical skills would be missing the bigger picture.
 
What truly stuns the pros is their mindset. Amid all the sudden fame and media noise, this duo remains remarkably grounded, quietly focusing on their own lane. Despite her historic run, Kyu Lyn Kim shrugs off the hype, choosing instead to focus on her flaws. In a recent conversation, she was incredibly self-critical, shifting the spotlight to her younger partner.
 
Kyu Lyn Kim: "Honestly, looking at my awards makes me feel a bit self-conscious. Competition cooking is a whole different beast from running a real kitchen. I still have so much to learn about the basics before I can confidently call myself a chef. That’s why having Hwi Won right behind me is such a huge comfort. He’s incredibly talented and works so hard. I won't be a middle schooler next year, so I'm really counting on him to keep this youth movement alive and kicking."
 
Son, the team's youngest anchor, answered with a quiet but firm confidence.
Hwi Won Son: "I just want to be a partner noona (older sister) can genuinely be proud of. I’m ready to step up, take the baton she worked so hard to build, and make sure our generation keeps running the show in the kitchen."
 
It is this profound maturity that turns mere hype into genuine belief. Defying every limitation adults try to place on youth, Kyu Lyn Kim and Hwi Won Son are rewriting the rules of the culinary world through sheer authenticity and grit. Their journey to reshape the global food scene has officially left the starting line.
  

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