The first episode of the Chinese reality show titled ‘Chinese Restaurant’ set in Budapest has been aired, the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ) announced on Friday.
According to the statement, the series garnered exceptional international interest even during its filming,
with over 160 million viewers in its first week tuning in
to see how the Asian celebrities with millions of followers would perform as hosts.
Besides the celebrities, the episodes also feature Budapest’s attractions and Hungarian gastronomy. As stated, several European and Asian countries wanted to host the show, but thanks to the efforts of the MTÜ, the production ultimately chose Hungary.
The series, airing on Hunan Satellite TV, one of the largest commercial channels in China, was filmed between June and July in a specially designed restaurant on the bank of the Danube in Budapest. The statement mentioned that the extraordinary popularity of the production became evident during the preparations: following the announcement of the filming location, many Chinese fans purchased plane tickets to meet their favourites in the Hungarian capital.
Previous seasons’ content appearing on media platforms associated with the channel garnered billions of views, so it was expected that the reality show’s upcoming episodes would also be followed by millions. The opening episode, which showcased several Budapest landscapes and attractions, was viewed by over 160 million people on the television’s online channel within a week, making it the most-watched content during prime time. Furthermore,
it became the most sought-after entertainment content on major social media platforms during this period.
Deputy CEO for Marketing and Communication at MTÜ Zsófia Jakab emphasised that the fact that the series was filmed in Budapest may have a significant impact on the choices of tourists coming to Europe from Asia. ‘Thanks to the series, millions of people can see iconic tourist spots in Hungary, such as the Hungarian State Opera House, the Danube riverside, Buda Castle, or Gödöllő Palace. It was particularly joyful for us that the Hungarian Tourism Agency could provide comprehensive assistance in selecting suitable filming locations. Moreover, it’s a tremendous opportunity for Hungarian gastronomy to be featured in the show,’ she added.
During the filming, the twenty stars and the 200-member crew managed all hospitality-related tasks independently over twenty-one days, from sourcing ingredients to preparing dishes and serving. This allowed fans travelling to Hungary encounter their favourites while shopping for food, when the celebrities were selecting fresh vegetables for the day’s menu.
The remaining episodes of the seventh season will be aired on a weekly basis, and the repeats will be available on Mango TV’s online channel in China and on the most popular online video-sharing platforms in Europe, the MTÜ statement concluded.
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Sources: Hungarian Conservative/MTÜ/MTI
