Celebrity chef and entrepreneur Baek Jong Won is facing fresh accusations of abusive behavior behind the scenes of his television appearances. Former MBC producer Kim Jae Hwan recently spoke out on the YouTube channel Maebulshow, raising concerns about Baek’s alleged verbal abuse and misuse of influence in the broadcasting industry.
During the interview, Kim stated that Baek's behavior has long been an open secret among those in the media. He claimed that Baek frequently mistreated production staff and used his powerful connections with broadcast executives to influence casting decisions and suppress criticism.
Kim has been vocal about Baek’s business practices for some time, pointing to a lack of protection for franchisees under The Born Korea and reports of pressure tactics used against store owners. In this latest appearance, he focused more on Baek’s actions within the broadcast industry.
He recalled an incident involving singer Kim Ho Joong, stating that Baek called a chief producer at SBS to protest the singer’s planned appearance on the program 'Delicious Rendezvous.' According to Kim, Baek argued that as someone fighting for ratings on the front line, he could not accept Kim Ho Joong appearing on the network. Kim emphasized that the singer had not even been involved in a competing show at the time.
Kim expressed concern that if this had happened to a lesser-known entertainer, it could have resulted in the loss of important career opportunities. He described the situation as a clear example of someone using their status to manipulate decisions behind the scenes.
He also brought up a case involving a university professor who had cautiously criticized Baek’s segment in a broadcast. Kim said the professor merely commented that the editing seemed slightly odd. Despite the minor critique, the professor was reportedly removed from a different program involving Baek. Kim added that the professor later received a similar removal notice from another show on the same network. Production staff eventually apologized, admitting that Baek had called to apply pressure.
Kim further alleged that Baek routinely used harsh language toward production teams. He stated that Baek himself admitted to using profanity frequently and that many in the industry were already aware of this behavior. According to Kim, Baek often swore at the crew, and staff members who had worked at The Born Korea for many years shared similar experiences of verbal abuse.
Kim said he personally asked Baek to change his behavior. He told him not to curse at staff and not to pressure people over the phone to remove others from shows. He also urged Baek to be more considerate of the people working with him.
Following numerous allegations and reports of 14 ongoing police investigations, Baek posted an apology on May 6 and announced a suspension of all television activities, except for those already in production.
In his statement, Baek took full responsibility, saying he had failed in many ways. He pledged to carry out a complete internal reform of his company and to improve communication with staff to build a healthier work culture. He acknowledged the growing concerns about a corporate CEO participating in broadcast activities and admitted that his words or actions may have hurt others. He concluded by saying that it was his responsibility and a serious lapse in judgment.
As more details emerge, Baek’s reputation continues to face serious scrutiny, with increasing calls for accountability both as a public figure and a business leader.
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