ZERONATE X HEE-EUN KIM ♥ DAEHYUN YOON
Michelin one-star chef couple HEE-EUN KIM and DAEHYUN YOON, shaping Seoul’s culinary identity through soulful cuisine.
Just as they focus on the fine details of each ingredient, they believe the details of expression matter just as much. For a cleaner, more refined “chef’s smile,” they chose ZERONATE.
Q1. Hello! Could you please introduce yourselves to our viewers?
DAEHYUN YOON, HEE-EUN KIM: Hello, we’re chefs HEE-EUN KIM and, DAEHYUN YOON and we run SOUL Dining and egg & flower in Haebangchon.
Q2. What led you to choose ZERONATE?
DAEHYUN YOON: It began when I noticed how beautiful the teeth of a chef I’m close with were and asked, “How do you take care of them?” The answer was ZERONATE, and that’s how I came to visit.
HEE-EUN KIM: I believe a good impression—whether it's a bright laugh or a gentle smile—comes from having a naturally pleasant expression. Since my work involves welcoming guests, I wanted to smile brightly and with confidence—that’s why I chose ZERONATE.
Q3. As chefs, are there moments when managing your facial expressions becomes especially important?
DAEHYUN YOON: There are plenty of tough moments in this job, but the second that shows on your face, it affects the entire service and atmosphere. During service, I try to keep my expression in check, like an actor on stage. Even if someone makes a mistake, I think a true professional lets it pass without showing it. So in a way, I’m managing my expression almost all the time.
Q4. During filming, especially in close-up shots, have you ever been conscious of your expression or smile?
HEE-EUN KIM: During the filming of Culinary Class Wars Season 2, there was a moment when the contestants’ faces were revealed. I thought I looked fine, but later the writer reached out and said, “Chef, let’s soften your expression a bit—make it look gentler.” That’s when I realized, “I’m not upset at all, but it might appear that way on camera.” Since then, I’ve made an effort to practice smiling more naturally.
Q5. What has been the biggest change after your ZERONATE procedure?
HEE-EUN KIM: Definitely my smile. I used to cover my teeth or avoid eye contact when I smiled. Now, I can look people in the eye and smile confidently, thinking, “I’m proud of my smile.”
Q6. As professional chefs, what similarities do you see between cooking and the ZERONATE process?
DAEHYUN YOON: Even when working with the same type of ingredient, its condition varies each time. Teeth are the same. Some are more triangular, some more square—everyone has a unique shape. The process of bringing each one to its best possible form feels very much like cooking. Just as chefs turn both imperfect and fine ingredients into delicious dishes, in the same way, ZERONATE enhances each person’s teeth in the most natural and beautiful way.
Q7. With your refined sense of taste, were you worried the procedure might affect your palate?
DAEHYUN YOON: Not at all. If anything, I felt more confident knowing my teeth would be strengthened and stay healthy for the long term. That’s why I chose it without hesitation.
HEE-EUN KIM: I’m actually quite afraid of going to the dentist, and even the sound alone makes me nervous.But when I arrived at TU Dental Clinic,I honestly thought, “Is this a hotel or a clinic?” That’s how comfortable it felt. I was still a little tense, but there was far less pain than I had expected.
Q8. What was your first meal after the procedure? Did you go for something special, or something soft and gentle?
HEE-EUN KIM: I went straight for comforting Korean food—because it was ZERONATE (laughs). Once the tension wore off, I craved something bold, so I made kimchi jjim with well-fermented kimchi.
Q9. SMILE & EAT — from a chef’s perspective, was eating really no problem afterward?
DAEHYUN YOON: I’ve been eating so well that I’ve actually gained a bit of weight.
HEE-EUN KIM: Same here! My teeth feel healthier, so I eat even better.
Every time they welcome guests in Haebangchon, the two chefs’ smiles radiate even more confidence. For them, ZERONATE wasn’t about simply looking prettier—it was a choice to laugh longer, savor every bite, and share life with greater ease and confidence. We look forward to the new expressions and energy they bring to SOUL Dining and egg & flower.
This content was exclusively developed to support ZERONATE’s global branding efforts and is intended for international audiences