[26.01.18] Chef Lim Sung-geun Admits to Three Past DUI Cases from ‘Culinary Class Wars 2’

‘Culinary Class Wars 2’ Chef Lim Sung-geun Admits to Three Past DUI Offenses

📍Chef reveals license revocation and reflection through YouTube video, saying “I won’t make excuses”

Chef Lim Sung-geun, who rose to fame through Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars 2: Cooking Hierarchy Battle,” has publicly admitted to past drunk driving offenses. In a YouTube video, he acknowledged his wrongdoing and offered an apology, emphasizing accountability over concealment.

Chef Lim Seong-geun personally confessed to having three prior drunk driving convictions.

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🔹 Revealing his past through YouTube
On May 18, a video titled “Food and Alcohol” was uploaded to Lim’s YouTube channel, “Lim Sung-geun Imzzang TV.” In the video, Lim prepared Eobokjaengban, describing it as a dish he would cook for himself, inspired by the final-round theme of “Cooking for Myself” on Culinary Class Wars 2.

He explained, “I thought people might wonder what kind of dish I would make if I had reached the finals,” adding that the dish carries both personal meaning and painful memories.

🔹 “I haven’t been drinking for nearly three weeks”
After filming, Lim shared a meal with the production staff and said he had not consumed alcohol for nearly three weeks.
Reflecting on his past, he explained that heavy drinking was once part of his daily routine, saying, “Back then, there was no city gas. I woke up at dawn to carry 150 coal briquettes, and after boiling bone broth all night, drinking soju felt natural.”

🔹 Admitting to three DUI incidents
Lim then candidly revealed the reason he began to limit his drinking.
“I liked alcohol and made mistakes,” he said. “Over about ten years, I was caught for drunk driving three times.”

He explained that he was once caught by police while sleeping in his car after drinking. “I was sitting in the driver’s seat with the engine on. Later I learned I should have turned it off,” he said. The most recent incident occurred five to six years ago.

🔹 License revoked and later reinstated
Lim confirmed that he received criminal punishment and had his driver’s license revoked, later obtaining it again.
“What I did wrong is wrong,” he said. “I don’t want to make excuses. That’s why I’ve completely stopped.”

Staff members noted that Lim now calls a designated driver even after a single drink, which he acknowledged.

🔹 “Hiding it would only hurt more people”
Lim explained that he chose to disclose his past because concealing it would cause greater harm later.
“I felt it was right to tell my subscribers directly and apologize,” he said. “I can’t live while hiding this.”

He added that he was sorry for causing concern and emphasized personal responsibility.

🔹 Pressure from sudden fame
Lim also spoke about the emotional burden of sudden popularity.
“Receiving overwhelming love all at once was heavy,” he said. “I wanted to clear what was weighing on my heart.”

He concluded by saying, “I hope people can forgive me generously. I will live more carefully so nothing like this happens again.”

One-line summary : Chef Lim Sung-geun admitted to three past DUI offenses through YouTube and apologized, acknowledging full responsibility.