Paik Jong-won, CEO of Theborn Korea, has expressed his grievances regarding the controversies surrounding him, including issues related to origin labeling errors and various hygiene criticisms, as well as being subject to criminal charges four times.
On the 8th, a video titled '4 hours and 30 minutes, a one-on-one conversation with CEO Paik Jong-won' was uploaded to the YouTube channel 'Studio Ojaena.' This channel is operated by director Kim Jae-hwan, a former MBC producer, who has pointed out several issues related to CEO Paik and Theborn Korea since mid-last year, before the various controversies erupted.
The video begins with director Kim requesting an interview with CEO Paik, who had just returned from filming in France. Upon seeing Kim, CEO Paik questioned, 'Why are you making my life so difficult? Do I have some kind of karma with you?'
CEO Paik stated, 'I also have many grievances. However, I am not saying anything.' When director Kim asked how unfair the franchise owners might feel, CEO Paik responded, 'Why is the franchise owners' issue being brought up again?'
CEO Paik expressed his grievances regarding the controversy over the pesticide containers used as spray bottles at the festival. He said, 'It's really maddening,' and asked, 'Was it a pesticide container used for spraying? Did we buy a new one to use?'
When director Kim questioned whether making some business owners 'villains' for pointing out hygiene issues on 'Street Restaurant' was problematic, CEO Paik replied, 'I have never been harsh on the business owners of 'Street Restaurant.'
In the course of this discussion, CEO Paik suggested to director Kim, 'Let’s meet just the two of us, without cameras,' and asked, 'Is there something to fear? Are you scared?'
The controversies surrounding CEO Paik and Theborn Korea began earlier this year with the 'backham controversy.' Since then, they have been embroiled in various issues including Brazilian chicken meal kits, low tangerine beer content, targeted criticism of the budget market apple cider, retaliatory openings, cooking with rusty engine oil drums, plastic containers from Baekda Bang, and unilateral notifications regarding the use of portrait rights at festivals, as well as hygiene-related controversies involving industrial scissors, pork left at room temperature, and pesticide containers in apple juice.
Meanwhile, additional footage of the conversation between director Kim and CEO Paik is set to be uploaded to director Kim's YouTube channel at 10 a.m. on the 12th.