The Baek Jong Won apology controversy has taken the Korean food industry by storm as the celebrity chef faces serious legal troubles. Baek Jong Won, the famous judge of ‘Culinary Class Wars,’ issued a formal apology on March 13, 2025, addressing multiple controversies surrounding his company, TheBorn Korea. The Baek Jong Won apology controversy stems from allegations of violating the Country of Origin Labeling Act, which has now escalated into a criminal indictment. This situation has transformed from mere consumer complaints into a full-blown legal battle that threatens his reputation and business empire.
In his statement posted on TheBorn Korea’s official website, Baek expressed deep remorse, saying, “I sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people due to various issues related to Theborn Korea. I feel a deep sense of responsibility.” The celebrity chef acknowledged his company’s shortcomings, particularly highlighting issues in their production and distribution processes. The Baek Jong Won apology controversy comes at a critical time as his company faces multiple investigations that could result in severe penalties.
The Serious Legal Implications of the Baek Jong Won Apology Controversy
The core of the Baek Jong Won apology controversy revolves around misleading product origin labeling. The Seoul Office of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service has formally indicted Baek Jong Won for allegedly violating the Country of Origin Labeling Act. This investigation specifically targets two popular products: Baek Jong Won’s Baekseok Doenjang (soybean paste) and the stir-fried octopus dish sold at Hanshin Pocha, a franchise pub chain under TheBorn Korea.
If found guilty of these violations, Baek Jong Won could face up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million KRW (approximately $68,800). For habitual violators, these penalties increase to up to ten years imprisonment or fines reaching 150 million KRW. The Baek Jong Won apology controversy has already impacted TheBorn Korea’s stock performance, which has dropped approximately 5% over the past month, trading well below its initial public offering price.
Adding to the Baek Jong Won apology controversy, TheBorn Korea also faces allegations of violating the Farmland Act. The company’s Baekseok factory in Yesan County is located within an Agricultural Promotion Zone, where only domestically sourced ingredients should be used. However, investigations revealed that imported ingredients were being processed there, potentially violating land-use regulations that could result in up to five years imprisonment or fines up to 50 million KRW.
The Hypocrisy Behind the TheBorn Korea Mislabeling Scandal
What makes the Baek Jong Won apology controversy particularly damaging is the apparent hypocrisy involved. A whistleblower pointed out that Baek Jong Won himself had previously criticized a pizza restaurant on his TV show ‘Baek Jong Won’s Alley Restaurant’ for failing to renew a health certificate and mislabeling product origins. The informant stated, “Despite that, he himself has violated the Country of Origin Labeling Act for 10 years, which is absolutely unacceptable.”
The TheBorn Korea mislabeling scandal first gained attention when it was discovered that Baek Jong Won’s Baekseok Doenjang, marketed as a domestic product, actually contained Chinese-origin Meju (fermented soybean blocks) and soybeans from the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Similarly, Hanshin Pocha’s stir-fried octopus dish was advertised as containing only domestic scallions, onions, and garlic, but analysis revealed Chinese garlic was being used instead.
As the TheBorn Korea mislabeling scandal intensified, the company removed the term “domestic” from its online store descriptions and issued an apology stating, “We sincerely apologize for using imported ingredients without fully understanding the relevant legal regulations.” However, many consumers view this explanation as insufficient, considering Baek Jong Won’s long-standing advocacy for supporting local farmers and using domestic ingredients in his products and recipes.
Additional Controversies Damaging Baek Jong Won’s Food Empire
Beyond the product mislabeling issues, the Baek Jong Won apology controversy encompasses several other troubling incidents. TheBorn Culinary Research Institute was found to be storing and using LPG gas cylinders indoors, violating safety regulations that could result in fines up to 40 million won. This safety violation was reported after Baek was seen deep-frying chicken bones next to an LPG gas cylinder.
TheBorn Korea has also faced criticism for its treatment of franchise owners. According to reports from June 2024, owners of Yeondon Ball Katsu, a subsidiary franchise of TheBorn Korea, claimed the company promised monthly revenues exceeding 30 million won when signing them up, but actual sales fell short of even half that amount. Out of 83 Yeondon Ball Katsu stores that opened between 2021 and 2023, only 30 remained operational, highlighting significant business sustainability issues.
In his apology, Baek Jong Won promised, “We will swiftly address all legal and operational issues and implement comprehensive improvements. As a publicly traded company, we will lead company-wide innovation and growth to meet the expectations of our shareholders.” However, the Baek Jong Won apology controversy continues to unfold, with many questioning whether these words will translate into meaningful action.
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Final Thoughts on the Baek Jong Won Apology Controversy After Food Mislabeling Scandal
The Baek Jong Won apology controversy represents a significant fall from grace for one of Korea’s most beloved culinary figures. Often called the “Gordon Ramsay of Korea,” Baek Jong Won had built his reputation on authenticity, quality, and supporting local agriculture. The revelation that his company may have been engaging in deceptive practices for years has shattered this carefully crafted image.
As investigations continue, the future of TheBorn Korea and Baek Jong Won’s career remains uncertain. Many loyal fans are expressing their disappointment, particularly because Baek had positioned himself as a champion of ethical food practices and transparency. The disconnect between his public persona and business practices has left many Seoul Crushers feeling betrayed.
What do you think about the Baek Jong Won apology controversy? Do you believe his company can recover from these serious allegations, or has the damage to his reputation become irreparable?