On December 5, the Michelin Guide announced the 2026 list of star-rated restaurants in Seoul and Busan. Chef Hudeok of Hobin, who gained attention for his participation in the Netflix series 'Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Wars', was notably missing from the list after having received one star the previous year. In an interview, Chef Hudeok expressed his desire to understand why his restaurant lost the star and emphasized his wish to turn this setback into a chance for reflection and improvement. He declared that he would work harder alongside his staff to regain recognition in the future.

In contrast to Chef Hudeok's setback, Chef Son Jong-won, who also rose to fame through 'Black and White Chef', managed to secure two stars for his restaurant, Mosu, which opened in April last year. The prestigious three stars were awarded again to Chef Kang Min-gu's upscale modern Korean restaurant, Mingles, making it the only restaurant to achieve this distinction for two consecutive years. This reinforces the competitive nature of the culinary scene in South Korea, especially as the Michelin Guide marks its tenth anniversary in the country.

The 2026 announcing event also highlighted several new entries, with restaurants like Collage, Gikong, and Shin Muga earning their first stars. Particularly noteworthy was the recognition of Collage, a restaurant operated by Chef Noh Jin-sung, who previously faced disappointment after closing his acclaimed dining establishment five years ago. The return of familiar names and the emergence of new player underscores the dynamic and evolving landscape of the restaurant industry in South Korea.