Chef Im Seong-geun, who became known through the Netflix variety show Culinary Class Wars: Culinary Class Wars 2, is facing growing backlash as it was confirmed he had more drunk-driving offenses than previously known. Contrary to his own admission, reports say court rulings show four drunk-driving detections and five prior convictions.
On the 20th, DONG-A ILBO reported that a review of court rulings found that Im Seong-geun was fined 5 million won for drunk driving on Sept. 21, 1999. It was reported that on Aug. 15 of the same year at about 8:25 p.m., he was driving from Bupyeong District in Incheon to the Seo District area for about 3 km with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.153%. That level far exceeded the then-license cancellation standard (0.1%).
Moreover, the ruling stated that Im Seong-geun was unlicensed at the time and was driving a motorcycle owned by his wife. He was detained for 37 days in connection with the case. It was confirmed that this occurred during a suspended sentence period. Im Seong-geun previously had a record of being sentenced to eight months in prison with a two-year suspension and fined 300,000 won on March 25, 1998, for violating the Road Traffic Act.
Earlier, on the 18th Im Seong-geun confessed on his YouTube channel, "I drove under the influence about three times over 10 years," and offered an apology. However, additional reporting revealed there were actually four drunk-driving detections and, with the Road Traffic Act violation added, five prior convictions, raising questions about the accuracy of his confession. Some have criticized, "Was the confession minimized?" and "Trust is key, but the facts are different."
Questions have also been raised about the motive behind Im Seong-geun's preemptive confession. Some view that once a media outlet's investigation began, he disclosed his past in the form of a confession before the report was published.
In comments afterward, Im Seong-geun bowed repeatedly, saying, "I am a crazy person. If you were hurt, I apologize again," "Even if it was in the past, all wrongdoing is wrong. Drunk driving is something anyone would want to hide, but I did not want to hide it, so I made it public," and "I am sorry; I do not know what to say to apologize for your distressed feelings." He also said, "I will not do alcohol-related content on broadcasts in the future." Internet users have poured out criticism such as "dizzying," "disappointing," and "the confession lacks sincerity." However, there are also voices saying people should support him if he sincerely repents for the past and moves forward on a new path.
Ultimately, Im Seong-geun deleted the video in which he confessed to drunk driving, "Food and alcohol," amid the controversy.
Meanwhile, after this controversy Im Seong-geun has faced fallout as various variety show appearances and broadcast activities were canceled one after another. As additional facts revealed after the confession further cooled public opinion, attention is focused on his future moves.
[Photo] Im Seong-geun SNS, YouTube video capture
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