Chef Im Seong-keun, who sparked controversy by admitting a past DUI, added that he also has a prior assault record and announced a halt to broadcasting activities.
On the 21st, in an interview with Ilyo Shinmun, Chef Im said, "I acknowledge all my past mistakes," and added, "I will not appear on broadcasts going forward." At the interview, Im also directly revealed that there is a prior assault record.
Chef Im said, "An argument over parking escalated at a parking lot near Noryangjin and it became a mutual injury case," and explained, "I remember paying about 300,000 won because both sides were hurt." When asked "Why disclose this first?" Im said, "A background check would reveal everything anyway. I wanted to settle everything now rather than have additional reports come out later."
However, Im strongly denied allegations of power abuse within the industry. Im said, "The power abuse allegations are completely untrue," and appealed, "DUI is clearly my fault and I should be criticized for it, but small and midsize business owners I worked with are being harmed by unverified fake news about power abuse with partners or issues involving women."
Earlier, on the 18th, Chef Im admitted on his YouTube channel that he had been caught three times for DUI. As suspicions were raised that "he moved preemptively ahead of coverage," Im explained, "It was a scheduled post of a pre-recorded video."
Regarding the circumstances of the 2017 DUI, Im explained, "I called a designated driver, but voices were raised in the car, and the driver pulled over on the shoulder and left," adding, "It was a remote area and I couldn't get another driver, so to avoid the cold I fell asleep with the engine running and was caught."
Im said the 2020 incident also stemmed from a dispute with a designated driver. Chef Im said, "Near Namguro Station, there was a squabble over the fare and the driver left the car and walked off," adding, "I walked home since I had about 150 meters left, but at dawn the next day I got a call to move the car, and I was caught by police while moving it."
Subsequent reports revealed that Im had also violated the Road Traffic Act in 1998 and 1999. Acknowledging those facts as well, Chef Im explained, "I was running a lunchbox shop at the time, and when a delivery worker suddenly couldn't make it, I had no choice but to ride a motorcycle even though I didn't have a license."
Chef Im said he will suspend all broadcasting activities, including on terrestrial TV, general programming channels, and OTT platforms. Im said, "Unless I'm shameless, how could I go on air and show my face?" adding, "I don't plan to appear on broadcasts going forward."
However, Im indicated he would continue some home shopping broadcasts and YouTube activities. Im said, "Home shopping contracts still have time left, and if I stop, small and midsize businesses could be harmed," adding, "I also plan to continue YouTube as a form of pro bono work for small business owners and the self-employed."
Chef Im is a certified master of Korean cuisine who has devoted 43 years to Korean food, and he became known after winning tvN's "Korean Food War 3" in 2015. Recently, he appeared on Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars 2," made it to the top 7, and gained popularity.