His track record has left fans unimpressed.
2 hours ago
Chef Im Sung Geun (also known as Im Seong Keun), who rose to stardom with Netflix‘s Culinary Class Wars Season 2, is now facing massive backlash after he confessed to his past multiple drunk driving offenses.
Chef Im Sung Geun on “Culinary Class Wars Season 2” | @imchef00/Instagram
On his YouTube channel, Imzzang TV, the chef posted a video in which he talked about cutting back on drinking. While explaining his decision, Im Sung Geun admitted to having three DUIs.
| @ImzzangTV/YouTube
Because I like alcohol so much, I ended up causing trouble… Over the course of 10 years, I was caught drunk driving about three times.
— Im Sung Geun
The chef quickly added that he was sleeping in his car after drinking, but because his engine was running, he was ticketed. When the production staff asked if it would be OK to put on the internet, Im Sung Geun responded, “What I did was wrong, and I don’t want to make excuses for myself.”
Im Sung Geun: You know how people sleep in their cars after drinking? I was sleeping in my car when the police caught me, so I explained the situation. They asked why someone who had been drinking was sitting in the driver’s seat with the engine on. Later, I found out you’re supposed to turn the engine off and sit there.
Staff: So you’re acknowledging that you were in the wrong?
Im Sung Geun: Yes, what I did was wrong, and I don’t want to make excuses for myself. I was criminally punished, had my license revoked, and later obtained it again.
He added that it has been “overwhelming” to keep his past a secret while processing his newfound fame.
I don’t want to hide who I am. I believe it’s right to apologize to my subscribers. I’m not trying to conceal anything. I think I caused unnecessary worry, so I’m sorry to everyone who follows me. Receiving such enormous love all of a sudden became a burden. After getting busy and then struggling through a difficult period, I grew even more attached to drinking. I hope you can forgive me generously. I’m grateful for the immense love, and I’ll live more carefully so this doesn’t happen again.
— Im Sung Geun
However, viewers found his confession a huge turnoff. Some even found it unacceptable for the chef, who alleges he is ashamed of his drinking habits, to have accepted alcohol advertisements.
| theqoo
- “If it was once, I’d be like, ‘Fine,’ and move on. But three times? And the last time was only 5–6 years ago, too.”
- “Goodbye.”
- “And after all that, he accepted alcohol ads? That’s legendary, LOL.”
- “Please, no…”
- “Three times means it’s a habit. It means he loses self-control when drinking. A normal person would be terrified after just once and either cut back or never bring their car. Feels like he’ll do it again someday. I liked him, but I’m genuinely disappointed.”
- “He juiced all the fame to the fullest and only then confessed to drunk driving. Tsk tsk.”
- “This is really unacceptable…”
- “And he’s talking about this while drinking? That’s insane.”
- “How is three times a ‘mistake’? And that’s just how many times he got caught.”
- “The way he tells it, you’d think it was one ancient mistake he’s been reflecting on. At this point, it feels more like ‘I’ll get exposed anyway, so I might as well confess.’”
- “Yikes, LOL.”
- “Wow… The timing of this confession? I’d say he’s being pretty calculating.”
- “Is drunk driving some kind of addiction or what…?”
- “Three times…? Does Culinary Class Wars not check the chefs’ histories before casting them?”
As online criticism intensified, Im Sung Geun posted a personal apology statement, writing, “Drunk driving is…a mistake that cannot be justified for any reason.”
| @imchef00/Instagram
Drunk driving is my fault and a mistake that cannot be justified for any reason. At the time, I deeply regretted my actions and accepted legal punishment without complaint. Over the past several years, I have lived quietly while reflecting on myself.
However, as I recently began receiving excessive love, I felt that continuing activities while burying my past mistakes would be deceptive and disrespectful to those who believe in me. I decided that it was my responsibility to confess and apologize in my own words before it was too late, which is why I am posting this today.
I sincerely apologize once again for the disappointment you caused by my careless actions. I will never forget my past mistakes and will discipline myself to live as a chef who contributes positively to society. I formally apologize once more to everyone who trusted me.
— Im Sung Geun
But it seems the damage has been done. Despite the apology, Im Sung Geun’s YouTube channel, which had over 990K subscribers, dropped to 984,000, losing over 6,000 subscribers.
The star chef is currently scheduled to appear on and/or confirmed to shoot several shows, including some of the most beloved programs like Salon Drip, The Manager, and Knowing Bros. As backlash continues to grow, all attention is now focused on whether his upcoming schedule will proceed as planned.
Read more:
“Culinary Class Wars” Confirmed For Season 3 With Significant Changes