I’m in full-blown Culinary Class Wars mode. The Netflix show is a cooking bonanza in the intense style of Squid Game and Physical: 100, with 50 of Korea’s top chefs pitted against 50 up-and-coming or under-the-radar cooks. They’re put through a gamut of gobsmacking (and frankly brilliant) challenges that test their skill, creativity, mettle under pressure, and stamina, all crafted for maximum drama. Not only is what I look forward to watching every day, but I’ve got lists of dishes I need to try (Tongyeong bibimbap, a white bibimbap with seafood), restaurants I must visit (Edward Lee’s new Shia in DC), and chefs to keep my eye on (school cafeteria cook Lee Mi-yeong and homestyle phenom Auntie Omakase #1). Two tips: Find someone to watch it with (you will need to discuss it), and don’t watch hungry. —Lisa Wong Macabasco
Rebus
I’m loving and I highly recommend a weekend binge of Rebus, the new BBC import streaming on Viaplay. Based on Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus novels, this six-part police procedural series recalls shows like Happy Valley and Prime Suspect and was shot in actual Edinburgh, which means it feels gloomy and gritty in all the right ways. And I loved Richard Rankin (best known from Outlander) in the title role. He has that kind of natural, off-hand, tough-guy magnetism that doesn’t feel put on—he’s not slumming it for a part. There are ruthless baddies and Rebus has a plucky Millennial partner, Siobhan Clarke, played by Lucie Shorthouse, who I liked instantly too. Six episodes and definitely worth a test-drive of Viaplay (which specializes in Nordic series—can’t get more escapist than that). —Taylor Antrim
