u/SpiralCraftz

The final episode of Bonjour Bakery was beautiful, it brought everything together, including bringing back guest Dino, in a celebratory yet bittersweet ending. I loved this show for it's deep warmth, how it highlighted the elders, how we watched the staff get to know each other and the seniors in the community. It was not a high energy variety show but it was wonderful slow burn filled with so many kind and warm-hearted moments that directly showed how the "Yes Senior Zone' concept, making seniors feel welcome and included in space like these, was a brilliant one.

On the day of the final episode it was announced that due to it's success on OTT, KBS, a national TV broadcaster in South Korea, would be rebroadcasting it sometime in the future (possibly August). The bts of the seniors also showed how proud they were to be on this show and what a beautiful record/memory it will be for all their loved ones. Now, with this news of it moving to TV, they and their stories will be seen across the nation. I hope there is a Season 2, that they listen to feedback, do it perhaps in another community while continuing to highlight seniors lives. I think it's a great concept.

Also, today it was announced that Kim Seonho was nominated for a Blue Dragon Series Award for Best New Male Entertainer for the show( the new part is regarding OTT). His role in the show was impressive, he was definitely pivotal in creating warmth & community, outreaching to seniors, and bridging relationships with the staff and neighbourhood.

This ongoing variety show is turning into such a gem of warmth and healing. The premise is a French bakery in a small village created for seniors and staffed by actors. The interesting twist is that you must be 65+ (or accompany a senior of that age) to enter the cafe. Unlike most other variety shows that focus primarily on the cast, this show makes the elders in the community the stars and the cast as supporting characters.This show is not looking for big laughs or wild moments, instead it’s like a warm blanket that envelopes you as you smile and get a bit teary eyed at the multiple moments of kindness and compassion, while simultaneously craving pastries and recalling loved elders in your life.The main cast are respected actors Kim Heeae(manager), Cha Seungwoo(pastry chef), Kim Seonho (Barista) and Lee Kitaek (pastry assistant). They serve as the workers at the bakery, with special guests coming into help. They have a shared kindness, compassionate and sense of humour that fuels the show.

The first 2 episodes were good but I do feel they were in the process of figuring out the pacing, editing and best way to tell the story. Kim Seonho missed the opening day of the bakery due to a theatre commitment, and although his replacement Dino (from seventeen) did really well, Seonho being back in the 3rd episode made it feel like the show finally gelled. He has this ability, through his genuine warmth and kindness to everyone around him, to act like a glue that binds the staff and elders together (and it is great seeing him in variety shows again). This episode also showed why there ended up being huge waitlists everyday to get in to the bakery (this was shared by locals online during filming) - it’s becoming a community space filled with warmth, laughter and delicious treats. We get to witness these lovely seniors lives and be privy to their wisdom while also watching staff interactions and meditative moments of dessert preparation and baking. I cannot wait for the next 5 episodes and the guests that come to help, including the return of the sweet and charming Dino.

Because I love the concept of this show and have a friend that loves researching, I discovered that accessibility and compassion are the main energies behind the concept writer Kim Ranju created for this show. She used her father’s surprising love of sweets while he was sick as in inspiration while understanding that many seniors feel a barrier to enter upscale establishments. Whether it is the magnifying glasses on the table for reading, the care the servers take explaining the desserts or the warm outreach to elders in the community, this show is welcoming to seniors in many ways. She created this show for them and to remind us all that elders deserve to feel welcome everywhere.

I also learned about the overall social commentary this show is providing with how it’s called a “Yes Seniors Zone”. This label is in direct opposition to a disturbing trend in South Korea to restrict seniors from entering upscale cafes. They are called “No Senior Zones” and involve cafes putting up signs that restrict those 60 years and older from entering, using the argument that older people make people uncomfortable. They began to show up a few years ago and despite opposition to their blatant discriminatory basis, they are still happening. Writer Kim Ranju created this “Yes Seniors Zone” concept, in part, to confront this trend and turn it on its’ head, but also to hopefully create needed dialogue around this issue. It is not just a variety show, it is a social commentary on the exclusion and judgements Seniors face in the wider culture and how by doing that we miss out on the enrichment elders bring to our lives. Honestly, this makes me appreciate this show even more.

It’s available for streaming on Coupang Play in Korea, Hami Video in Taiwan and Viki Rakuten globally, with episodes dropping on Fridays. I highly recommend you giving this show a watch and if you’ve seen it I would love to hear your thoughts below.