Chef Lee Young-sook’s Netflix Culinary Class Wars Appearance Fee Seized by Court Due to Debt Controversy

On November 1, 2023, YTN, a prominent South Korean news outlet, unveiled that Chef Lee Young-sook’s appearance fee from the Netflix reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars has been confiscated by the court. This renowned chef first gained fame after winning the Korean Food Battle 2 back in 2014.

According to reports, the Nonsan Branch of the Daejeon District Court issued the seizure following a request from an anonymous creditor. This legal action is a consequence of a debt controversy that emerged online on October 29, wherein Lee is accused of borrowing 100 million won (approximately $77,000 USD) and failing to repay it for nearly 14 years.

Understanding the Debt Controversy Surrounding Chef Lee Young-sook

In an interview with YTN, the unidentified creditor revealed that Chef Lee allegedly borrowed 100 million won from their father in April 2010. According to the creditor, the chef has not repaid the amount, leading them to file a loan claim lawsuit in May 2012, which ultimately did not recover the owed funds.

YTN noted that the creditor did manage to recoup a partial amount of 42 million won through an auction linked to Chef Lee’s financial obligations, yet they are still facing challenges with the rest of the debt.

Frustrated by the situation, the creditor expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the unpaid debt. They indicated that the reclaimed funds, along with an additional 6 million won, were essential for settling another debt incurred by Chef Lee Young-sook. The creditor commented:

“Because Lee Young-sook failed to fulfill another debt obligation for which my father was a joint guarantor, we had to use the recovered amount plus an additional 6 million won ($4,600 USD), totaling about 48 million won ($36,900 USD), to repay Lee Young-sook’s other debt instead.”

In response to the allegations, Chef Lee’s representative issued a statement acknowledging the situation. They are currently collaborating with their attorney to clarify the debt’s specifics and emphasized their commitment to settling any outstanding amounts.

“Due to poor communication with the creditor, we weren’t properly aware of the repayment situation. We are currently reviewing the matter through our attorney, and if any debt remains, we will fulfill our responsibility to repay it.”

At 69 years old, Lee Young-sook is a prominent figure in South Korean culinary arts. After achieving victory in the 2014 edition of Korean Food Wars, she further showcased her talents in the 2018 series Korean Food Battle of Gosoo, where she secured a third-place finish. Her latest appearance was on Culinary Class Wars, which is currently streaming on Netflix, allowing fans to appreciate her culinary skills and charisma.

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