Paik Jong-won, CEO of Theborn Korea, who declared a complete halt to broadcasting activities amid a series of controversies including violations of the Food Sanitation Act, was spotted on Taiwanese television.
On the 29th (local time) of last month, Paik appeared on Taiwan's TVBS news channel to promote Theborn Korea's brand Bonga. At a store in Taipei's eastern district, he demonstrated how to eat wrapped ssam, recommended a special seafood sauce, and also introduced a thinly sliced beef brisket menu for which he holds a patent.
Paik said, "Customers can enjoy meat in the store for now, but going forward we will make it possible to experience the taste in more convenient ways." He reportedly held back on comments regarding whether he will return to the Netflix program "Culinary Class Wars 2," as well as on issues related to false country-of-origin labeling, safety violations, and allegations from a former colleague.
Regarding this, Theborn Korea said, "The footage in question shows a scene introducing Korean food during an interview conducted at the request of a Taiwanese media outlet," adding, "CEO Paik is on a business trip for overseas sales in global food consulting based on B2B sauces. From the second half of the year, we have been holding business meetings with Southeast Asian corporations that reached out. After completing a Southeast Asia tour of Thailand, Cambodia, and Taiwan by early October, we plan to tour China and the United States in order until mid-November."
Theborn Korea, led by Paik Jong-won, has faced multiple controversies since its listing in November last year, ranging from the "Paik-ham" gift set dispute and violations of the Farmland Act to indoor high-pressure gas cooking, country-of-origin labeling errors, and a blacklist allegation. In response, Paik said in May, "Except for programs currently being filmed, I will suspend all broadcasting activities. No longer as a TV personality but as corporate executive Paik Jong-won, I will devote all my passion and energy solely to the growth of Theborn Korea and the advancement of our franchise owners."