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Why Koreans care

The seaweed soup is not just an ordinary meal: 미역국 (miyeokguk, seaweed soup) is traditionally eaten on birthdays in Korea. That gives the food prepared by his company—and his decision to begin the broadcast with it—a specifically birthday-related meaning.

In the Korean comments

One comment treats the broadcast as a glimpse of a format worth reviving: in translation, “Please bring back Chan’s Room as a seasonal series. Even if once a week is difficult with your schedule, please do it once a month.” It goes on to suggest inviting members and junior artists, introducing albums, playing new songs and reacting to music videos.

What the words mean

One birthday comment calls him 반찬아 (banchan-a). His name is 방찬 (Bang Chan), while 반찬 (banchan) literally means a side dish; removing one consonant turns the affectionate form of his name into a playful food pun.