Netflix explained the contestant vetting process regarding chef Lim Seong-geun of Culinary Class Wars 2 amid allegations of drunk driving.
On the 21st, a Netflix representative told OSEN that regarding the contestant vetting process for Culinary Class Wars: Culinary Class Wars 2 (abbreviated Culinary Class Wars 2), "the production team confirmed one drunk-driving incident that occurred in 2020 during the recruitment and pre-screening process, and there was no prior notice of any additional criminal punishments and they could not confirm any" the company said in an official statement.
They added, "The production team deeply regrets the current situation. We apologize to viewers who felt uncomfortable because of this, and we will use this case as an opportunity to carefully review and consider measures to more thoroughly examine and supplement procedures related to contestants going forward."
Culinary Class Wars 2 is a fierce culinary class war staged by hidden 'black spoon' chefs from the grassroots trying to overturn class by taste and Korea's top star chefs, the 'white spoon,' who defend it. It wrapped up after episode 13 (the finale), released on the 13th, and like season 1, it sparked a phenomenon-level buzz.
However, after the finale, past convictions of White Spoon Lim Seong-geun surfaced belatedly and sparked controversy. Lim Seong-geun's record totals six convictions: four for drunk driving, one for driving without a license, and one fine for a mutual assault dispute. The most recent conviction among these was a license-cancellation-level drunk driving incident that occurred in 2020.
Questions were raised about the contestant vetting procedures at Netflix in relation to this. In response, Netflix said, "We do not have the authority to confirm the individual past records of contestants, but we are making our best efforts to verify them."
[Photo] Provided by Netflix.
[OSEN]