Chef 'Triple Star' attends Seoul event amid personal, embezzlement controversies

Chef Kang Seung-won, knicknamed "Triple Star" from Netflix's reality show "Culinary Class Wars" / Courtesy of Netflix

Chef "Triple Star" (real name Kang Seung-won), who gained attention by finishing third on Netflix’s cooking competition show “Culinary Class Wars,” was spotted attending a culinary event hosted by Seoul City, despite recent controversies surrounding his personal life and allegations of embezzlement.

Triple Star appeared at a special event celebrating 2024 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants (A50BR) held at Sebitseom in Banpo-dong, Seoul, Sunday.

Photos of Triple Star at the event, including group shots with chef Ahn Sung-jae and others, were shared across online communities and social media channels. Seoul City confirmed, “Triple Star attended the event as scheduled.”

The event was organized to commemorate the A50BR culinary awards, which took place in Seoul this past March. Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is a prestigious international event that ranks Asia’s finest dining establishments.

This year, four Korean restaurants were listed in the top 50, including Mingles (13th), 7th Door (18th) and Mosu (41st). Mosu, which was previously operated by chef Anh Sung-jae, a judge on “Culinary Class Wars,” held the Michelin Guide’s three-star rating in Korea for 2022-2023. Triple Star is known for his background as a chef from Mosu.

Triple Star, second from right, and Chef Anh Sung-jae, left, attend a Seoul City-hosted event, Sunday. Captured from Instagram

Triple Star’s attendance at the event follows recent personal controversies. On Oct. 30, his former spouse and a former girlfriend brought forward claims about his personal life that have been widely reported.

Dispatch, an internet media outlet, published an interview featuring their allegations, which included accusations related to personal conduct and employment lobbying. Triple Star has denied these allegations.

On Nov. 1, police also announced that they had begun a preliminary investigation into Triple Star on allegations of embezzlement in connection with his restaurant operations. Authorities are currently investigating whether funds were misappropriated from the restaurant’s accounts.

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.