Chef Ahn Sung Jae Faces Backlash as Late-Night Food Video Draws Dislikes Shortly After Apology

06 May 2026, 21:36 by K-Soul · allkpop

Chef Ahn Sung Jae, who rose to mainstream fame through the Culinary Class Wars, has issued a formal apology over a “wine switch” controversy at his fine dining restaurant Mosu Seoul. However, public criticism reignited after he uploaded a video to his personal YouTube channel shortly after posting the apology.

On May 6, Ahn shared a detailed statement via Instagram, saying, “I sincerely apologize once again for the disappointment caused by the inadequate service at Mosu,” and explained the full circumstances of the incident. The apology came 18 days after the issue first arose.

According to his explanation, on April 18, a sommelier mistakenly served a 2005 vintage instead of the 2000 vintage “Château Léoville Barton” ordered as part of a wine pairing for one of four guests. When the customer requested a photo of the label, the sommelier presented a bottle of the 2000 vintage, which differed from what had actually been served.

The price difference between the 2000 and 2005 vintages is reportedly around 100,000 KRW (approx. 69.20 USD). Ahn stated that the sommelier involved has been required to submit a written explanation and has been removed from any customer-facing wine service role.

He added, “The sommelier responded in a highly inappropriate manner, providing information that was completely untrue and inconsistent with the facts,” and pledged, “As the owner-chef who bears full responsibility for Mosu, I will ensure strict management to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

Previously, Mosu Seoul had posted an apology regarding the controversy, but faced criticism for failing to directly address the “wine switch” allegations. Ahn ultimately issued a personal apology under his own name.

Shortly after the apology was posted, a video titled “4 Late-Night Snack Menu Recommendations” was uploaded to Ahn’s YouTube channel. The video was not newly filmed, but rather a re-edited highlight compilation of existing content, leading some to interpret the timing as a deliberate move in response to the controversy. The production team noted, “Today’s scheduled content has been replaced with a late-night snack highlight video.”

Viewer reactions were mixed. Some commented, “Why upload this at a time like this?” and “This doesn’t feel like the right timing,” while others expressed support. As of the afternoon of May 6, the video had surpassed approximately 2,400 dislikes, compared to around 300 likes—an unusual ratio for a channel with roughly 1.25 million subscribers.

Ahn’s channel has typically uploaded content on a regular schedule every Wednesday at 6:45 PM, and the video appears to have been posted in line with that routine. However, many critics argued that the timing—immediately following the apology—was inappropriate.

Meanwhile, Mosu Seoul, operated by Ahn, was awarded the country’s only three Michelin stars in 2024. After relocating and temporarily closing, it returned in the 2026 guide with two Michelin stars. The cost of a meal per person is approximately 420,000 KRW (approx. 290.66 USD).

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