South Korean Chef Explains 14 Years of 11 Million Yen Debt Due to “Communication Breakdown”
A scene from the hit show *White and Black Spoon* featuring Lee (PHOTO: Everett Collection/ Afro)The person at the center of the issue is Lee Yong-sook (69), the head of Nagyung Mushroom Farm. Lee, one of South Korea’s most well-known chefs, gained international fame for her appearance in the Netflix series White and Black Spoon: Culinary Class War, which was watched worldwide and ranked in the top 10 for views in 18 countries.
The trouble surrounding the chef was reported by South Korean media outlets such as YTN in November of this year.
“The story dates back 14 years. In April 2010, Lee, who was planning to open a mushroom-themed restaurant, requested financial assistance from A, the head of the shiitake mushroom production association and a close acquaintance. A kindly agreed and lent Lee 100 million won (about 1.1 million yen). Lee signed a promissory note stating the loan would be used to purchase land for the restaurant and that it would be repaid by April 2011.
However, Lee did not repay the debt by the agreed date. In the midst of this, A passed away in July 2011. When his son was sorting through A’s belongings, he discovered the promissory note from Lee. Upon learning that the debt had not been repaid by the due date, he filed a civil lawsuit in June 2012″ (Korean newspaper reporter).
Winner of a competition and a large sum of money
In response to the lawsuit from the family, the court ordered Lee to repay the 100 million won. However, Lee did not comply, citing an inability to pay due to financial difficulties.
“Later, in 2014, Lee won the grand prize at the ‘Korean Cuisine Competition,’ earning a prize of 100 million won. When A’s family learned of this, they applied for the seizure of Lee’s assets. There are also other debts for which A had been a co-signer, and more than 15 lawsuits have been filed against Lee (the total amount, including interest, is said to exceed 300 million won). To this day, it is said that the debt has not been fully repaid” (same source).
Following the reports, Lee, through her lawyer, issued the following statement:
“I had insufficient communication with the creditors, and I was not fully aware of the exact facts regarding the repayment. I am currently confirming the details, and if there are any remaining debts, I am committed to fulfilling my responsibility to repay them.”
A’s family has also applied to the production team of the hit show White and Black Spoon to seize Lee’s appearance fees and enforce the collection. The court has approved this request.
PHOTO.： Everett Collection/Afro
