Chef and YouTuber Im Sung-geun (58), who rose to wider fame on the Netflix reality series "Culinary Class Wars 2", publicly apologized after revealing he has three past DUI offenses.
On Jan. 18, Im posted a handwritten apology on his YouTube channel and community page, saying he could no longer keep quiet about “a major mistake that’s weighed heavily on my heart” and admitting to driving under the influence.
“Drunk driving is indefensible,” he wrote. “I accepted the legal consequences and spent years reflecting. As I’ve received more support lately, staying silent about my past felt like a betrayal of the people who put their trust in me,” he explained of his decision to come forward.
According to Im, the three DUIs occurred over roughly a decade, with the most recent about five to six years ago. In one case, he said he was found after falling asleep in his car post-drinking. He added that he faced criminal penalties, had his license revoked, and later reobtained it.
In a video, Im reiterated, “Wrong is wrong. I’m not looking for excuses. I will never drink and drive again, and I’ll work to be a chef who has a positive impact on the community.”
Public reaction has been split. Some have credited him for taking responsibility by speaking up first, while others point out that three DUIs are a serious matter and have criticized his recent alcohol-sponsored content. Many are watching to see how this may affect his future TV and advertising opportunities.
Im first drew attention as the 2015 winner of Olive’s "Korean Food War 3" and was recently rediscovered through "Culinary Class Wars 2."
He concluded, “I won’t forget my past mistakes. I’ll hold myself to a stricter standard,” adding another apology to those disappointed by his conduct.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)