In a dramatic turn of events, renowned food entrepreneur Baek Jong Won, famed as the judge on the hit show 'Culinary Class Wars,' has publicly apologized following a wave of scandals that have rocked his company, TheBorn Korea. This tumult comes on the heels of his indictment for allegedly breaching the Country of Origin Labeling Act—a serious offense that has catapulted his troubles from minor consumer complaints to significant legal repercussions.

On March 13, Baek Jong Won took to TheBorn Korea's official website to address the issues, stating, “I sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people due to various issues related to TheBorn Korea. I feel a deep sense of responsibility.” He acknowledged that the company did not meet expectations, particularly regarding the production and distribution processes.

At the heart of the controversy is the labeling of product origins by TheBorn Korea. The National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service in Seoul has launched an investigation into allegations that Baek Jong Won’s Doenjang (soybean paste) and the stir-fried octopus served at the Hanshin Pocha franchise have been incorrectly labeled. Critics are calling this a breach of trust, highlighting Baek’s previous denunciations of competitors for similar infractions on his show.

One striking example involves the Baekseok Doenjang, produced in Yesan County. It was found that the product contained Chinese-origin Meju (fermented soybean blocks) and soybeans, raising significant concerns since the factory is located in an agricultural promotion zone where only domestically sourced ingredients are permitted. Breaching these regulations could lead to serious consequences under Article 59 of the Farmland Act, including hefty fines and potential imprisonment.

In a concerning admission, TheBorn Korea has removed the term “domestic” from the descriptions of its products online and issued a statement apologizing for using imported ingredients without a thorough understanding of legal requirements.

The stir-fried octopus dish served at Hanshin Pocha isn’t escaping scrutiny either. Despite claims that only domestic ingredients were utilized, investigations revealed the inclusion of Chinese garlic, leading consumers to decry the practice as deceptive marketing.

Safety issues have also surfaced, with the TheBorn Culinary Research Institute found to be improperly storing LPG gas cylinders indoors—raising alarms among regulators. Additionally, a promotional YouTube video featuring local farmers unintentionally highlighted products made with Brazilian chicken, leaving many questioning the sincerity of its local sourcing message.

These unfolding scandals have not only tarnished Baek Jong Won’s reputation but have also significantly impacted TheBorn Korea’s stock performance. After going public on November 6 last year, the stock has plummeted, trading at around 29,000 KRW (approximately $19.98), well below its initial offering price of 34,000 KRW ($23.43). This decline has been attributed by analysts to the ongoing turmoil surrounding the brand.

In response to the escalating crisis, Baek Jong Won promised to address all legal and operational shortcomings swiftly while committing to a new era of innovation and growth for his publicly traded entity. However, with public trust eroded, the question remains: will this apology be enough to salvage his standing amongst consumers and investors? For many who once admired his commitment to supporting local farmers and domestic ingredients, the disappointment runs deep. Only time will tell if the once-revered chef can reclaim his illustrious reputation.