Chef Ahn Sung-jae, currently in the hot seat over a “wine switching” controversy, has temporarily paused his YouTube activities. Now, a recent post sharing his feelings is sparking a lot of conversation.
On the 14th, Ahn tagged a magazine account on his SNS, writing, “In this dizzying world, I am trying not to lose my center by remaining grateful. Thank you to everyone who believes in my sincerity.” This is interpreted as his first indirect response regarding his current state of mind since the controversy broke.
Netizens are completely split. Supporters are saying things like, “It feels like he’s paying a harsh price for his fame,” and “I still support him.” On the other hand, critics argue, “He’s portraying himself as the victim,” and “It’s disappointing that his response is so clumsy compared to his reputation as a strict judge.”
The drama started on the 21st of last month when a post appeared on an online community claiming that while they ordered a 2000 vintage wine at ‘Mosu Seoul,’ they were served a 2005 vintage, which is about 100,000 won cheaper. The situation escalated when famous YouTuber ‘Wine King’ pointed out that this wasn’t a simple mistake but “wine fraud,” a type of crime that is dealt with severely overseas.
After staying silent for a while, Ahn explained the situation on the 6th, stating, “I sincerely apologize for the disappointment caused by the inadequate service at Mosu. Everything is my responsibility.”
However, some remain skeptical, suggesting that “the issue could be solved cleanly if the CCTV footage were released.” Public disappointment peaked when he uploaded a “late-night snack video” just one hour after posting his sincere apology.
As the criticism intensified, Ahn eventually announced a hiatus from YouTube to “take time to reorganize.” Despite this, the controversy surrounding the “wine switching” allegations is still ongoing.
All eyes are now on whether Chef Ahn Sung-jae can shake off the dishonorable “wine fraud” label and regain public trust after his break.
