저는 생사과가 더 맛있었어요. - 안성재

This meme originated from a remark made by Chef Ahn Sung-jae in the Netflix reality cooking show 'Black & White Chef: Culinary Class War Season 2'.

"I liked the raw apple better" is a comment Chef Ahn Sung-jae made after tasting a molecular gastronomy apple dessert prepared by a culinary scientist chef. Despite the dish being complex and technical, his straightforward assessment was that a simple raw apple tasted better. This phrase is used to imply that something simple and fundamental is superior to something overly elaborate or complex that lacks essential taste or emotional impact. It can also carry a nuance of criticizing excessive showmanship or trends that prioritize complexity over substance.

The meme name "저는 생사과가 더 맛있었어요. - 안성재" is pronounced roughly as: "Juh-neun Saing-sah-gwah-gah Duh Mah-see-ssuh-ssuh-yoh" (for "I liked the raw apple better") followed by the name "Ahn Soong-jay."

This meme was primarily used among viewers of the 'Black & White Chef' program, gaining popularity especially among those who enjoy cooking content or appreciate honest and straightforward evaluations. Rather than being confined to a specific age group or gender, its nature as a cooking reality show allows it to be widely consumed by men and women of all ages.

This meme is used metaphorically when a result falls short of expectations, becomes too complex and loses its essential appeal, or when something basic and fundamental would have been better.

• "This new movie has flashy CGI but a terrible story. I liked old black-and-white films better; they were more moving."
• "The new smartphone has too many features, making it inconvenient. I liked a phone that just made calls and sent texts well better."
• "Compared to this expensive course meal, I liked my mom's homemade kimchi stew better."

The meme "I liked the raw apple better" inherently carries a critical nuance, which can sound like disparaging someone's efforts or results. Therefore, it's best to refrain from using it in serious situations or settings where you need to consider others' feelings. It is appropriate for situations where it can be taken lightly as humor, and caution is advised against using it directly towards the person being criticized, as it could cause offense.