When Chef Choi Kang-rok appeared as a hidden contestant in Culinary Class Wars 2, another chef immediately called him out: “Aren’t you the guy who throws away his oar when the tide comes in?” The whole internet lost it.
The Original Proverb
This is one of Korea’s most famous proverbs about seizing opportunities.
Literal meaning: When the tide comes in, that’s when you should row your boat - the current helps you move faster with less effort.
Real meaning: When opportunity knocks, grab it immediately. Don’t hesitate. Strike while the iron is hot.
Every Korean knows this saying. Parents tell it to their kids. Bosses tell it to employees. It’s basically Korea’s version of “carpe diem.”
Enter Chef Choi Kang-rok
In September 2024, Netflix’s 흑백요리사: 요리 계급 전쟁 (Culinary Class Wars) took Korea by storm. Among the contestants was Choi Kang-rok, a Japanese cuisine specialist known for his incredible braised dishes.
His Journey
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Won MasterChef Korea Season 2 |
| 2024 | Joined 흑백요리사 Season 1, eliminated in Round 3 |
| 2024 Oct | His restaurant got 20,000+ reservation attempts |
| 2024 Dec | Suddenly closed his restaurant |
| 2025 Dec | Returned for 흑백요리사 Season 2 |
| 2026 Jan | Won the entire competition |
The “Throwing Away the Oar” Moment
After appearing on 흑백요리사 Season 1, Chef Choi’s restaurant 식당네오 in Seoul became impossibly popular:
- 20,000 people tried to book
- One month of reservations sold out in 1 minute
- He became one of the most searched chefs in Korea
And then… 3 months later… he closed the restaurant.
(Translation: “20,000 reservations and he closes after 3 months? He really throws away his oar when the tide comes in lol”)
The Meme is Born
When Chef Choi appeared as a 히든 백수저 (hidden white spoon) contestant in Season 2, the reactions were priceless.
Fellow contestant’s immediate response:
“물 들어올 때 노 버리신 분 아니냐?”
“Aren’t you the guy who throws away his oar when the tide comes in?”
The whole internet adopted this phrase. It perfectly captured the absurdity - and honestly, the respect - Koreans felt for someone who walked away from guaranteed success.
(Translation: “Hey Choi Kang-rok is in Season 2” / “lol the guy who threw away his oar?” / “Yeah but he won this time” / “Wow lol did he pick the oar back up”)
Why Did He Close?
The closure wasn’t about money or failure. According to reports:
- No rent issues
- No business problems
- He wanted to focus on improving his skills
In his own words about a past experience:
“A customer came all the way to my restaurant and cried because my food disappointed them. I gave them my best, but they were still disappointed. All I could say was ‘please don’t cry.’”
He decided he needed more training before running his own place again.
In a culture that screams “HUSTLE! GROW! SCALE!”, Chef Choi said: “Actually, I’m not ready.”
The Redemption Arc
When asked why he returned for Season 2, Chef Choi gave the most on-brand answer:
“아무것도 안 하면 아무 일도 일어나지 않는다고 했는데, 아무 일도 일어날 것 같지 않아서 나왔다.”
“They say nothing happens if you do nothing. Well, nothing was happening, so I came back.”
And this time? He won the whole thing.
His signature move throughout the competition earned him multiple nicknames:
- 조림요정 (jorim yojeong) - Braising fairy
- 조림보이 (jorim boi) - Braise boy
- 연쇄조림마 (yeonswae jorimma) - Serial braiser
To which he responded: “법은 잘 지킵니다” (“I follow the law well”) - a joke about being called a “serial” anything.
How Koreans Use This Now
The phrase “물 들어올 때 노 버리다” has become a way to describe anyone who:
- Walks away from obvious opportunities
- Chooses rest over hustle
- Prioritizes personal growth over immediate success
- Does the unexpected when everyone expects them to capitalize
Key Expressions
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 물 들어올 때 노 저어라 | mul deureool ttae no jeoera | Row when the tide comes in (seize opportunity) |
| 물 들어올 때 노 버리다 | mul deureool ttae no beorida | Throw away the oar when tide comes in |
| 재도전 | jaedojeon | Retry/Second attempt |
| 조림 | jorim | Braised dish |
| 히든 백수저 | hideun baeksujeo | Hidden white spoon (contestant) |
| 빨리빨리 | ppalli ppalli | Hurry hurry (Korean rush culture) |
My Take
Honestly? I kind of love this meme.
Korean culture puts so much pressure on seizing every opportunity, working yourself to death, never saying no to growth. And here’s this guy who had 20,000 people begging to eat his food, and he said “nah, I need to get better first.”
The fact that he came back and WON makes it even better. It’s like the universe rewarding patience over hustle.
My husband jokes that I’m also a “물 들어올 때 노 버리는” person because I turned down a corporate job to start this blog. The tide was definitely coming in… I just wanted to row somewhere else.
Maybe that’s the real lesson: it’s not about ignoring opportunities. It’s about choosing which tide to ride.
다음에 기회 놓치면 그냥 이렇게 말해: “나 최강록 마인드야” ㅋㅋㅋ
Sources: 나무위키 - 최강록, 머니투데이, 뉴시스, 세계일보