Saturday, April 11, 2009

Antique Bakery



Antique Bakery is my latest obsession. Won't you just look at the luscious blood red strawberries above? How about the selection of cakes below:



There are many more cakes where those came from. I wish I knew about Antique Bakery earlier. Better late than never I guess.



It opened in November 2008 and it has left the Korean public hankering for more. One million people, in the first two weeks of 'opening'. That's really something.

You might think that it has got to do with all the pretty cakes, in all their chantilly cream and chocolate ganache glory. Perhaps so, but I think the other reason is because of them:



Yes, those four Korean dudes. There's no recipe tastier than cakes and men. Do I see nods of approval among the ladies? and ahem some gentlemen as well?




Only the Koreans are capable of pulling off the combination of pretty boys (both queer and macho), lots of sweets and humour, and not come across as overly cheesy. But that's really just my opinion. Antique Bakery is really just a fictional bakery in a Korean movie (surely you would have figured it out by now :) based on a popular Japanese manga by the same name:



The Korean adaptation, Antique (서양골동양과자점 앤티크) stars Joo Ji Hoon (Goong/Princess Hours and The Devil) as the owner Jin Hyuk and Kim Jae Wok (Coffee Prince) as the genius patissier Son Woo. The film was exhibited at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2009. The premise of the movie is not hard to grasp. It has some gay themes, which makes it amusing and is not at all sleazy. Don't worry, the storyline is very much centred around the bakery and cake-lovers will be duly satisfied. By the time I finished watching the movie, I really wanted to stuff my face with cake. I won't reveal the entire plot so if you want, do go and catch it. It is also available on Youtube.

Here's the movie trailer so you'll have an idea what I'm raving about:



Or go to www.antique2008.co.kr to find out more

19 comments:

  1. hey cheryl, movie is so so but the guys, i mean, cakes are yummy. catch it on mysoju.com

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  2. heya, yes yes i've watched it and i'm with you on the cakes - they are gorgeous. the packaging and presentation's so pretty.

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  3. Woo... Korean?! Serious?! Hi Cheryl! Btw, check out the Japanese anime and it's nice as well! Btw, here's the real Mcoy! It's located in Japan. Toshi Yoroizuka. Got recipes for their recettes as well but no directions! Enjoy! Free to meet up over a meal one day?

    Regards, Kelvin from Walk of Food & Coffee!

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  4. Hi Cheryl the Jap series came out before the Korean version.

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  5. Barista: Thanks for telling me about Toshi Yoroizuka. I checked out the site and my gosh, it was quite phenomenal. I imagine heaven will be like that.

    Soppy: Yes, that's right.

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  6. Uh oh...you got me started on Lunch Queen ages ago and now this...

    :D

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  7. ahhhh i loved the comic!

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  8. I saw the comic recently! It's very "delicious" to read... i think the drama will be equally good.

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  9. I've seen the japanese drama series called antique cake store. and I loved it.I am going to bake a batch for the holidays when my kids will be at home. thank you for shearing your post.

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  10. hi cheryl! t'was very nice to meet ya today and i just want to say what a great blog you have.

    keep making good food and may your passion for what you do only broaden and deepen each day.

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  11. I didn't know the movie has been released in Korea. Cos the lead actor Joo Ji Hoon was caught in a drug bust recently and it seems like a lot of promotion activies were all cancelled as he has been charged.

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  12. Looking at those yummies in the middle of the night is a torture to me! Nice food blog!

    I'd like to invite you to join a contest "Win the World's First Transparent Phone" @Travelerfolio, in conjunction with LG. Pls drop by to find out more -

    Win Crystal Phone

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  13. I have not seen Antique Bakery but I do like my manga, Maison Ikokku being my favorite, and cooking, so putting them together must be amazing. I was craving a cake last week and had to make myself a red velvet cake. It was pretty easy to make, I got the recipe from http://www.howcast.com/videos/139827-How-To-Make-Red-Velvet-Cake and it was delicious. I also went to Bali last year and stayed at the club med resort, I wish I had stayed at the four seasons but Bali was still stunning either way.

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  14. i watch it for the guys and end up enjoying the confectioneries.. bonus!
    but this movie ain't for homophobics.

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  15. Ooh... it looks so nice!! I wish I was in Korea :(

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  16. i watched this a few months back and it's the most hilarious korean movie i've seen. fun times :)

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  17. If there's such a bakery in Singapore, I'm sure it'll be full house everyday!

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  18. Went to watch the movie after reading your post. It's not too bad a movie, what with cute guys and yummy cakes, but I thought the subplot was pretty unexpected for all the sugary image the movie poster portrayed.

    Here's my review on the movie :)
    http://loveofallthings.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/antique-bakery-cakes-boys-and-something-darker/

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