Why Korea’s Most Beloved Restaurant Entrepreneur Is Falling From Grace

Fame to disgrace

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Hello, dear readers.
Do you enjoy watching Netflix?

If so, you probably have your go-to categories. One that never fails to entertain? Cooking shows.

Have you ever seen The Black & White Chef — a Korean culinary showdown series?

image from google, 4.9million a week!!!

If you’ve ever said:

1. “I love cooking,” or
2. “I’m curious about Korean cuisine,”
   then chances are, you’ve already watched it or at least heard of it.

It’s a high-stakes competition where top-tier chefs go head-to-head with underdog challengers.
At the center of it all stood a commanding figure: chef, judge, and entrepreneur — Baek Jong-won.

Photo by on not a food, hope to

For years, Baek was the nation’s culinary darling. A man who didn’t just serve food but served hope — helping local restaurants thrive, revitalizing rural markets, and educating the public on food and business. He wasn’t just a celebrity chef; he was “the people’s CEO.”