
Former MBC PD claims Baek Jong Won had blocklist, blocked singer Kim Ho Joong from SBS.
Former MBC documentary producer Kim Jae Hwan has claimed that Baek Jong Won, celebrity chef and CEO of The Born Korea, maintained a “blocklist” and used his influence to block certain entertainers from appearing on TV.
On May 13th KST, a video titled “Baek Jong Won’s airport arrival and exclusive interview revealed! Who did Baek Jong Won remove from TV?” was uploaded to the YouTube channel 'Studio Ohjaena'.
In the video, Kim Jae Hwan alleged that Baek Jong Won blocked singer Kim Ho Joong from appearing on an SBS variety show. He claimed this was part of Baek’s personal blocklist.
According to Kim, “Baek was filming ‘Delicious Rendezvous’ in the middle of a cold winter when an acquaintance called and asked, ‘Did you see Kim Ho Joong on SBS?’” He went on to say, “This was during the time when Baek’s show ‘Alley Restaurant’ was suffering in ratings due to TV Chosun’s hit show ‘Mister Trot.’”
“Baek, who had a strong attachment to ‘Alley Restaurant,’ reportedly said, ‘I’m fighting a ratings war with ‘Mister Trot,’ and now you’re putting someone from that show on SBS? That’s unacceptable.’”
Kim claimed that Baek directly called the head of SBS’s entertainment division and said, “If you cast someone from ‘Mister Trot,’ I will pull out of all SBS programs.” The CP reportedly apologized, saying, “I think our team didn’t understand the full context.”
Kim added, “After that, producers began talking about how Baek got someone removed from a show with just one phone call. It sparked accusations of power abuse.”
Kim also claimed that Baek used his personal connections to remove a university professor from a show and block them from future broadcasts.
This isn’t the first time Kim has raised allegations against Baek Jong Won. Recently, he recorded a conversation with Baek at the airport without his consent and uploaded the audio to YouTube.