Chef Lim Sung Geun, who recently rose to prominence through Netflix’s 'Culinary Class Wars Season 2,' is facing mounting criticism after reports revealed discrepancies between his public confession about past drunk driving offenses and official court records.
On January 18, Lim Sung Geum uploaded a video titled “Food and Alcohol” to his YouTube channel, where he admitted to having been caught driving under the influence three times over a span of about 10 years. He explained that his mistakes stemmed from his fondness for alcohol, adding that in one instance, he had been found asleep in a car with the engine running while intoxicated. Lim stated that his most recent offense occurred approximately five to six years ago and bowed his head in apology.
However, a January 20 report by The Dong-A Ilbo, citing court rulings, revealed that Lim had actually been caught drunk driving on four separate occasions. According to the records, Lim was first fined in 1999 after being apprehended with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.153%. He was again fined for drunk driving in 2009 and 2017. In 2020, he was caught once more driving with a BAC of around 0.14%, resulting in a one-year prison sentence suspended for two years, along with community service and mandatory safe-driving education.
Further details emerged indicating that the 1999 incident involved Lim driving approximately 3 kilometers in the Incheon area while unlicensed, using a motorcycle registered under his wife’s name. This early offense had not been mentioned in his YouTube confession, fueling accusations that he downplayed the extent of his past misconduct.
Controversy has also arisen over the timing of Lim’s disclosure. According to a January 19 report by Ilgan Sports, Lim released his confession video shortly after reporters had begun investigating his drunk driving history and requested background explanations from his side. Critics argue that the video may have been uploaded preemptively in response to media scrutiny, rather than as a voluntary act of accountability.
Public reaction has been swift and harsh. Many online commenters questioned Lim’s claim of “three times over 10 years,” suggesting that the omission of one offense undermined the sincerity of his apology. Others criticized his repeated characterization of drunk driving as a “mistake,” calling it evasive and irresponsible. Words such as “misleading,” “not a true confession,” and “brazen” have dominated online discussions.
While legal judgments on Lim’s past offenses have already been finalized, the gap between his statements and objective records, combined with suspicions surrounding the timing of his confession, has significantly damaged public trust. As debates over the number of offenses and the authenticity of his apology continue, public sentiment toward Lim Sung Geun has grown increasingly cold.
SEE ALSO: Chef Lim Sung Geun's TV appearances canceled after admitting three DUI offenses
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