Director Kim Jaehwan Meets CEO Baek at the Airport
Baek Jongwon, CEO of Theborn Korea, who has been embroiled in controversy for several days, met with director Kim Jaehwan, who raised allegations of abuse of power, and expressed his frustration regarding the ongoing issues surrounding him.
On May 8, a video titled "Four Hours and Thirty Minutes, Did I Have a One-on-One Conversation with CEO Baek Jongwon?" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Studio Ojaena." This channel is run by Kim Jaehwan, a former MBC documentary PD, who has repeatedly pointed out various issues with Baek Jongwon and Theborn Korea, including allegations of abuse of power.
Baek Jongwon, CEO of Theborn Korea, met with director Kim Jaehwan, who raised allegations of abuse of power, to express his grievances. YouTube channel Studio Ojaena capture
In the video, director Kim went to the airport to meet Baek Jongwon, who was returning to Korea after filming the French edition of tvN's "Business Genius Baeksajang 3." When Kim introduced himself to Baek as "Kim Jaehwan, director of True Taste Show," Baek shook his hand and greeted him, saying, "Hello." Baek then expressed his disappointment, saying, "Why are you so harsh on me? Director, do you have some kind of grudge against me? Why are you doing this? I really liked 'True Taste Show.'"
When Baek said, "There are so many things I'm unfairly accused of. But I've kept quiet until now," Kim responded, "How unfair do you think the franchise owners must feel?" and added, "You made the participants on 'Baek's Alley Restaurant' look like villains by harshly criticizing their hygiene and other issues. Isn't that a problem?"
Baek replied firmly, "You shouldn't say it like that. I have never been personally harsh to the owners on 'Baek's Alley Restaurant.' I only pointed out what was wrong, as it was wrong."
Afterwards, although the camera was turned off, Kim released part of his conversation with Baek that was recorded on his voice recorder. Baek said, "I've lived honestly until now. Please just keep that in mind," and suggested a private meeting, saying, "Give me your phone number. Tomorrow is fine, as long as there are no cameras." When Kim declined, saying, "I'd prefer to postpone a private meeting," Baek responded, "It's not a private matter, is it? Let's meet and get things straight from the beginning. I'll call you tomorrow."
Kim later revealed that he had a conversation with Baek Jongwon for more than four hours and thirty minutes, and announced that he would release the interview on May 12. Kim stated, "There were a lot of differences in our perspectives, so we exchanged our thoughts and clashed at times. Baek tried to clarify the parts I misunderstood, and I listened. I will reflect that in the interview."
The video also included a scene where Baek denied the allegations of abuse of power, saying, "I've never abused my position on TV. I've never called to have a participant removed. How could I even do that?" At the end of the video, Baek also expressed his frustration regarding the controversy over using a pesticide sprayer at a festival, saying, "It's driving me crazy. Do you think I used it for pesticides? It was a new one." However, the video was an edited version and not the full footage, so some of Baek's comments were omitted.
Meanwhile, two days after meeting with Kim, on May 6, Baek released his third official apology through a press release and Theborn Korea's official YouTube channel, announcing that he would suspend all broadcasting activities and focus on Theborn Korea.
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