Producer and broadcaster Don Spike (Kim Min-soo, 48), who was sentenced to prison for possession of a large amount of drugs and habitual use, was recently released and is reported to be participating in the management of a restaurant located in Yongsan, Seoul.
According to industry sources on the 19th, Don Spike completed a 2-year prison sentence earlier this month and has been spending time in self-reflection. He is said to be dedicated to running the restaurant while receiving treatment for addiction and participating in the National Anti-Drug Movement's N.A activities.
Don Spike's restaurant is a steakhouse located near Itaewon Station on Subway Line 6 in Seoul. Opened in 2019, it is known for its authentic Texas-style barbecue restaurant that is difficult to make reservations at.
In 2022, Don Spike appeared on Kim Gu-ra's YouTube channel 'Guracheol' and noted, "We are selling at 17,500 won per 100 grams," adding, "We sell about 45 kg on average per day." He also stated, "We make around 7.8 million won in daily sales from meat alone."
In response to Don Spike's words, Kim Gu-ra estimated, "Including beverages and side dishes, we will make about 10 million won in sales per day."
However, Don Spike revealed that despite making 220 million won in sales in February 2020, the revenue was only 1.8 million won. He also disclosed that in April, despite having 180 million won in sales, he made a loss of 15 million won. He mentioned that there are separate investors who put in money and a shop manager, and he is an employee earning around 3.1 million won per month. Additionally, he stated that there are 15 staff members and they pay around 8 million won in rent.
As a result, Don Spike closed the business temporarily to solve systemic issues and reopened two months later as a fully reservation-based restaurant. Before being arrested on drug charges, he managed the restaurant while grilling the meat himself. It is also reported that many people continued to visit the restaurant even after Don Spike was arrested on drug charges.
Don Spike was arrested in September 2022 at a hotel located in Gangnam, Seoul, on charges of possession and use of methamphetamine. Investigators believe that Don Spike purchased methamphetamine worth approximately 45 million won nine times between late 2021 and used it 14 times at a hotel in Gangnam and the Taean resort with female hospitality staff, leading to his indictment in 2022. He is also charged with handing methamphetamine and ecstasy to others seven times.
In January 2023, the first trial court sentenced Don Spike to three years in prison with a five-year suspended sentence, stating, "The defendant feels regret and guilt, and he is determined to make a comeback." The prosecution appealed, citing an improper sentence.
The prosecution stated that Don Spike is a repeat offender with three prior drug-related convictions, possessing a significant amount of methamphetamine and with multiple offenses, as reasons for the appeal. Don Spike was fined 5 million won in an appellate trial in 2010 for marijuana charges and was sentenced to one year in prison with a two-year suspended sentence for separate drug charges in October of the same year.
In June of the same year, during the appellate trial, the court overturned the original sentence and sentenced him to two years in prison. He was also ordered to forfeit over 39 million won and to undergo 80 hours of drug addiction and rehabilitation treatment. Subsequently, the Supreme Court confirmed a two-year prison sentence, leading to his incarceration.
Don Spike debuted in 1996 as a guest member of the group Position and gained fame as a producer on MBC's 'I Am a Singer.' He later became popular through food broadcast programs and has been active in entertainment.