Chef Lim Sung Geun of Netflix’s "Culinary Class Wars 2" has denied allegations that he concealed his past criminal record from production teams, stating that he fully disclosed his DUI history to Netflix producers in advance.
Speaking in an interview on January 21 at an office in Seoul’s Mapo district, Lim addressed the controversy surrounding his recent admission of multiple DUI offenses. “This is entirely my fault,” he said, expressing remorse as public criticism intensified following his disclosure.
Lim, who gained widespread attention on the show, revealed that he has a total of six prior convictions, including four for drunk driving. He explained that all DUI cases were classified as non-injury offenses and resulted in penalties such as fines and license revocation. Additional convictions included driving without a license for restaurant delivery purposes and a minor mutual assault incident at a market, which ended with both parties receiving fines.
As backlash grew, Lim saw his appearances edited out of completed programs and future casting offers withdrawn. However, he emphasized that he never attempted to deceive production teams. “I have participated in three survival shows, and each one required participant verification,” Lim said. “In recent productions, including Netflix programs, I clearly stated my DUI history in pre-screening questionnaires.”
He added that safety concerns in cooking competition shows require psychological evaluations and background disclosures, making concealment virtually impossible. “I never tried to mislead producers or hide anything,” Lim stressed.
Following the controversy, Lim said he personally contacted producers to apologize. “This program should be about talented chefs being recognized. I feel deeply sorry that my past actions have caused harm and overshadowed the show,” he said, becoming emotional.
Despite the criticism, Lim reiterated his accountability and expressed hope that the focus would return to the culinary talents showcased on the program.
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