"Cancel Appearance at TripleStar Event" Despite Complaints... "Will Proceed as Scheduled"

Triple Star, Privacy and Job Solicitation Controversy
"Cancel the Event" Complaints Raised
Seoul City: "Promise to Citizens... Proceeding as Scheduled"

Controversy has arisen over the private life of Chef Triple Star (real name Kang Seung-won), who appeared on the Netflix hit variety show "Black and White Chef: Culinary Class War," leading to a petition requesting the cancellation of his scheduled appearance at a Seoul city event.

According to industry sources on the 30th, a petition was submitted to the Seoul city government requesting the cancellation of Chef Kang's participation in the special commemorative event for the "2024 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants," scheduled for the 3rd of next month. The event, which attracted great attention, was set to feature a special menu under the supervision of Chef Ahn Sung-jae, a judge on "Black and White Chef" and a Michelin 3-star chef, along with Chef Kang, Chef Jung Young-hoon, Chef Oh Jong-il, and Chef Bae Kyung-jun. Approximately 450,000 people accessed the reservation system as soon as it opened, and the event sold out within 10 seconds.

However, according to a report by OSEN, the Seoul city officials stated, "We are aware that a petition has been submitted, but there will be no changes to the event, including Chef Kang's attendance." They added, "Nearly 400,000 citizens attempted to make reservations, and 150 people will be attending. Since this is a promise made to the citizens, we do not think we can cancel it from our side. The event is still planned to proceed as scheduled."

Earlier on the 30th, entertainment media Dispatch reported on the issues between Chef Kang and his ex-wife A, revealing a letter of apology he wrote to her. The letter included statements such as "I watched a female guest dressed provocatively sitting through CCTV," "I am trash. I did something I should never have done to someone I loved deeply and had filthy greed for," and "I demanded she sleep with another man because of my desires." Additionally, A claimed that she used her connections to help Chef Kang get a job at a restaurant in the United States and even gifted him a luxury handbag to gain favor.

Furthermore, his ex-girlfriend B also came forward with allegations. B stated, "While dating Chef Kang, he suddenly disappeared and broke up with me," and "He was seeing another woman simultaneously, and shortly after, I heard news of his marriage and opening a restaurant." In response, Chef Kang denied the claims, saying, "They are groundless. I earned my position at the restaurant through my own efforts, and B was someone I briefly dated; we had different views and did not continue the relationship."

Meanwhile, Chef Kang appeared on "Black and White Chef" as part of the Black Spoon team and finished in third place. He is a former sous chef at 'Mosoo,' Chef Ahn Sung-jae's restaurant, and currently operates the fine dining restaurant 'Tread' in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.