Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, Hosts New Variety Show
Juvenile Offender with 9 Prior Theft Convictions Appears
Reveals Difficult Family Background... "I Want to Apologize"
Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, expressed his desire to give a rehabilitation opportunity amid controversy over a former juvenile offender appearing on his new variety show. In the first episode of ENA's 'Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables,' which aired on the 30th of last month, Kim Dong-jun, who had previously received a level 9 disposition for habitual theft, appeared as a mentee. 'Les Mis?rables' is a program where Baek and three other famous chefs, including Yoon Nam-no, teach business secrets to about 20 mentees.
CEO Baek Jong-won, who appeared on the ENA entertainment program 'Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables.' ENA broadcast screen
Kim had been controversial even before the broadcast due to his criminal record. For juvenile offenders, dispositions range from level 1 to 10 depending on the severity of the crime, with level 9 being the second most severe punishment. It involves being sent to a juvenile detention center for up to six months. It is known that level 9 disposition is considered when a juvenile reoffends after receiving level 6 or 8 dispositions or commits a serious offense regardless of family protection status.
The show did not hide Kim’s juvenile offender background. Kim confessed, "I wanted to show that even someone like me is trying hard to live in society, so I decided to appear. I received a level 9 juvenile protection disposition and was sent to a juvenile detention center for six months. At that time, I broke into an unlocked car and stole its contents. I sold mobile phones and used credit cards. I made so many mistakes that I regret. It’s countless."
Kim said, "When I was in first grade, my parents divorced, and I went to live with my uncle. But after three months, I was beaten for not being properly educated. It was a daily occurrence. I had bruises all over my neck and below. When I used the bathroom, brown blood would come out. After being beaten like that, I couldn’t eat for three days. At school, I was bullied and beaten because I was considered dirty and smelly. I didn’t want to live," he said.
Kim reportedly ran away from home shortly after entering high school and began stealing out of hunger. He revealed, "I started taking money from other people’s cars. Because I was hungry, it was an endless cycle."
Regarding his reason for appearing on the show, he said, "When I was in the juvenile detention center for reoffending, a teacher there said, ‘You can do it, so why do you keep trying to give up?’ From then on, I started looking for what I could do." He added, "Looking back now, I regret it and want to face the victims and apologize. That is my mindset going into the show. I want to work two to three times harder than I usually do."
CEO Baek also addressed the controversy surrounding Kim. He said, "In the novel 'Les Mis?rables,' what changed Jean Valjean’s life was Bishop Myriel’s silver candlesticks, faith, and opportunity." He continued, "I have also failed many times. Some people live a cool life from the start, but others become cool by repeating failures and mistakes. Perhaps what we all need is a proper opportunity. We are creating a stage where those who never had a chance can desperately confront their challenges. This is a challenge for both me and them. If you are desperate, you can change."
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