Chef Lee Young-sook, a well-known culinary figure in South Korea, found herself embroiled in a legal dispute over an unpaid debt shortly after appearing on the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars. Known for her mastery of traditional Korean cuisine, she joined the competition as a “white spoon chef” but did not make it to the finals as she was eliminated partway through the show.
READ: Court Seizes Chef Lee Young-Sook's Netflix Earnings from "Culinary Class Wars"
According to court records, Chef Lee Young-sook borrowed 100 million won (approximately $75,000 or P4.18 million) in 2010, but despite multiple court orders, she has failed to fully repay the loan. In 2011, a court mandated that Chef Lee settle her debt, leading to the auction of her land in 2012, which raised around 19 million won. Despite winning significant prize money in the 2014 cooking competition Korean Food Battle 2, it was not used to address the debt, which accrued interest and now reportedly exceeds over 300 million won (approximately $225,000 or P12.5 million).
The creditor's family has pursued several legal actions over the years to recoup the debt. The creditor’s son recently filed a motion in the Daejeon District Court, successfully requesting the seizure of Chef Lee’s earnings from her Netflix appearance.
Chef Lee Young-sook is a seasoned culinary artist, recognized in South Korea for her dedication to traditional Korean cuisine. She gained national attention in 2014 after winning a cooking competition, Korean Food Battle 2, and has continued to appear in high-profile culinary events, including her recent participation in Netflix's Culinary Class Wars.
Sources: CNA Lifestyle, Koreaboo
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