How does the food in K-dramas look so good? Thank this food stylist, a trailblazer in her field

If the food in Korean dramas and films has you salivating, it is likely thanks to people like Ko Young-ok, the first ‘full-time’ food stylist for K-dramas

Ko, who created the spreads seen in shows including Mr. Queen, Reborn Rich and Princess Hours, says food stylists must double as entertainers

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Food stylist Ko Young-ok arranges flowers for Korean mystery drama “Chip In”. Ko, South Korea’s first “full-time” food stylist for K-dramas and films, reflects on her career and reveals what advice she gives her students. Photo: courtesy of Ko Young-ok

Published: 4:15pm, 4 Apr 2024

By Park Jin-hai

Ko Young-ok of Chorokchanjang Studio is something of a trailblazer in her field – she is South Korea’s first “full-time” food stylist for Korean dramas and films, a career which truly kicked off with MBC’s 2006 romance drama Princess Hours.

“Back then, the profession of a food stylist was just emerging. Typically, the food seen in dramas was prepared by [a broadcasting company’s] food team staffers,” Ko says. “I was the first full-time food stylist hired for that drama.”

Ko has worked on a number of hit shows during her 20-plus-year career, many of which helped fuel the K-drama craze around the world.

A food scene from romance drama Princess Hours. Photo: courtesy of Ko Young-ok

She has worked on shows including Coffee Prince (2007), Boys Over Flowers (2009), Let’s Eat (2013), Mr. Queen (2020), Reborn Rich (2022) and The Forbidden Marriage (2022).