Son Jong-won’s run on Netflix’s cooking survival show Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War 2 has come to an end. While the result was elimination, the impact he left this season remains.

Episodes 11–12, released on the 6th, confirmed the top seven: Im Seong-geun, brewer Yoon Jumo, Hudukjuk, Monk Seonjae, Choi Kang-rok, Jung Ho-young, and the Cooking Monster. Son Jong-won fell in a one-on-one sudden-death match against the Cooking Monster, stopping just short of the top seven.

His exit had been foreshadowed amid controversy over an alleged “self-spoiler” by the production team. Viewers noticed the Cooking Monster’s name tag appeared with a real name rather than a nickname, recalling a season-one precedent and fueling predictions that proved accurate.

Still, Son Jong-won’s presence was undeniable. He competed with steady fundamentals and an unwavering approach, favoring precision over flash and completeness over speed—right up to his final moment.

In the semifinal’s first mission, “Infinite Cooking Heaven,” contrasting strategies collided: some chased volume, others bet everything on a single dish. Amid constant lead changes, Choi Kang-rok secured the highest score and advanced directly to the final.

The second mission, “Infinite Cooking Hell,” narrowed the field with carrots as the sole ingredient. With only one survivor, victory hinged less on raw skill than on seizing the moment. The final outcome will be revealed in episode 13 on the 13th at 5 p.m.

Son Jong-won’s elimination was less a personal failure than a consequence of the survival format. Speed or a single decisive strike—his question lingers as a benchmark of the competition.