Netflix Stands Firm on 'Black and White Chef 2' Premiere Amid Baek Jong-won's Controversies

Netflix is determined to proceed with the premiere of 'Black and White Chef 2' despite the controversies surrounding Baek Jong-won.

On November 2, the 'Netflix Entertainment Festival 2025' took place at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dongdaemun, Seoul. The event was attended by directors Hwang Seul-woo, Jang Ho-ki, Kim Ye-seul, Kim Hak-min, Kim Jae-won, Jung Jong-yeon, Lee So-min, Kim No-eun, and director Yoo Ki-hwan.

Director Yoo Ki-hwan stated, "We considered how many people involved in the project would be affected. There are 100 participating chefs and nearly 300 to 400 staff members. Therefore, we decided to proceed with the broadcast as planned," adding, "We thought it would be better to leave the judgment to the viewers." 'Black and White Chef 2' is set to premiere this December.

Baek Jong-won is currently facing multiple charges, including violations of the Country of Origin Labeling Act, Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, Food Sanitation Act, and Food Labeling and Advertising Act. Some have called for his removal from the global entertainment show 'Black and White Chef 2,' but Netflix has proceeded with the initial filming, which is now complete.

In May, Baek Jong-won stated, "We are identifying and improving the root causes of all issues, including quality, food safety, and hygiene at festival sites." He also declared, "To focus on the growth of the company and the development of franchise owners, I will suspend all broadcasting activities except for the program currently being filmed."

Reported by Ryu Ye-ji, TenAsia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr