Im Seong-keun chef's "voluntary confession" was a past too heavy to be wrapped in courage. The three instances of drunk driving he himself revealed at the height of his success drew criticism rather than sympathy or understanding, and the reasons he gave were nowhere near sufficient to convince the public.
On the 18th, a video titled "Food and drinking" was released on the YouTube channel "Imjjang TV." In the video, Im Seong-keun, explaining why he kept his distance from alcohol, confessed to past drunk driving. He said, "Because I liked drinking, I caused accidents," and "I drove under the influence about three times over the course of 10 years."
What is particularly problematic is the number "three." Because the matter is hard to avoid social condemnation even once, the fact that it was repeated makes it difficult to accept as a simple mistake or youthful lapse, and that view dominates. Although he said, "A wrong is a wrong," the nuance of "I just slept in the car" sounded less like fully taking responsibility and more like an excuse that blurred the line of accountability, prompting repeated reactions.
He bowed his head, saying, "I did not want to hide my past. I thought it was right to apologize to my subscribers." He also mentioned sudden attention and the burden it brought. Im Seong-keun said, "Receiving great love brought a heavy burden, and during a difficult period I relied on alcohol," and added, "I will be careful so that this will not be a problem in the future."
But the public's anger is not solely because of past wrongdoing. The criticism is strong that revealing his drunk driving record as content at the moment when sudden popularity and offers to appear on broadcasts were pouring in was itself reckless. It appeared less like remorse and more like a "preemptive disclosure" or a "confession to avoid liability."
The public reaction was icy. Netizens poured out criticism such as, "Drunk driving is not something to 'coolly' confess," "If it's three times, isn't it habitual?", and "Is this something to talk about like a boast at this time?"
As the controversy spread, Im Seong-keun additionally released a handwritten apology. He said, "Drunk driving is a wrong that cannot be excused for any reason," and said, "I was legally punished and spent a long time reflecting in seclusion."
He also explained, "Recently, receiving great attention and continuing activities while covering up the past felt more like deception. I thought it was my duty to confess and apologize directly before it was too late." Finally, he reiterated his apology, saying, "I will be a chef who exerts a positive influence on society."
Meanwhile, after raising his profile by appearing on Culinary Class Wars 2, Im Seong-keun is scheduled to appear on the web variety show "Salon Drip" on the 23rd and MBC's "Omniscient Interfering View" on the 24th. Appearances on "Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny" this month and "Men on a Mission" in February have also been confirmed. Discussions are also underway about appearing on "Hangout With Yoo," and attention is focusing on how this controversy will affect his future broadcast schedule.
Ultimately, the core of this controversy is not whether he confessed but how he will take responsibility. Drunk driving is not a past that becomes lighter with time. True apology and reflection do not end with a confession in content or a single handwritten note. What Im Seong-keun must show going forward is not grievance or a backstory but a sense of responsibility and the weight of penance as a public figure. If not, this confession will be not "honesty" but a self-inflicted blunder that undermines his own credibility.
[Photo] Provided by Netflix, video capture
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