Solo diner mistreatment leads Yeosu restaurant to apologize
A scene from a video titled “Ordered two servings alone, but rushed after just 20 minutes,” uploaded by a female YouTuber on July 3. Captured from YouTube channel Younanhee
A well-known restaurant in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, has issued a handwritten apology after facing public uproar for pressuring a solo female diner to eat quickly.
A photo of an apology note posted at the restaurant’s entrance began circulating on online communities on Sunday. Written in Korean, the note reads, “We are sorry for the trouble caused. We will greet guests more kindly and gently from now on. We apologize.”
The controversy began when a female YouTuber uploaded a video on July 3 titled, “Ordered two servings alone, but rushed after just 20 minutes.” In the video, the YouTuber said she was told by the restaurant that solo dining was not allowed, so she ordered two servings.
Despite there being no visible line outside and other guests still eating, the staff began pressuring her about 20 minutes after she sat down.
According to the video, a restaurant employee said things like, “You’re not the only one who comes here,” “You need to eat quickly” and “If you stay like this, the time is indefinite,” in a tone that appeared scolding and impatient.
When the YouTuber explained that she had only been there for 20 minutes and had ordered two servings, the staff replied sarcastically, “So what? That’s just 20,000 won ($15).”
Frustrated, the YouTuber stopped eating and prepared to leave. Although the restaurant told her she didn’t need to pay, she later transferred the cost of the meal before exiting. The restaurant had previously been featured as the top pick in a YouTube program highlighting notable eateries in Yeosu.
As public criticism grew, the Yeosu city government conducted an on-site inspection on Wednesday. The restaurant owner told officials that the video had been recorded without consent and that their loud speaking voice may have caused misunderstandings.
On Thursday, the city sent official notices to over 5,000 eateries in the area urging them to refrain from requiring solo diners to order two portions, to allow guests to choose their own seats and to ensure sufficient time for dining.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.