Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea and a popular TV personality, is under fire again—this time over hygiene issues at a local festival.

🥩 Burnt Chicken & Safety Concerns—Yesan Beer Festival Incident Resurfaces

On March 21, The Born Korea released an official statement: "We take full responsibility for customer safety and food hygiene. We'll thoroughly review the issue and take necessary action."

The controversy stems from the Yesan Beer Festival held in August 2024—jointly hosted by The Born Korea and Yesan County, with Baek Jong-won leading the culinary efforts.

While special grilled chicken, BBQ, and burgers were served as beer pairings, one attendee shared photos of burnt chicken with melted plastic-like substances stuck to it. The dish reportedly cost 18,000 KRW.

The customer said, "After waiting in a long line, I got my chicken packed in a black plastic bag—couldn't even check the food. It was scorching hot, and the experience was disappointing."

😱 Shocking Hygiene Violations—Photos Go Viral

More photos surfaced, showing serious hygiene risks: peeling paint from the barbecue grill, gas tanks placed dangerously close to the flames, and most alarming—meat stored at room temperature.

Even the cooking staff were spotted handling chicken barehanded or with non-food-grade gloves, raising major safety concerns.

🚨 Baek Jong-won Also Under Investigation for False Advertising

Adding to the controversy, Baek Jong-won is now being investigated for alleged Food Labeling Law violations.

Seoul Gangnam Police confirmed on March 20 that they've launched an investigation based on public complaints—focusing on Baek's franchise café Paik's Coffee and its "Chewy Sweet Potato Bread".

The issue? While marketed as "Made with Korean produce", the label reportedly admitted "may contain Chinese ingredients"—sparking accusations of misleading advertising.

Critics demanded accountability, stating, "What's needed from CEO Baek is a responsible explanation and reflection on these legal issues."