*This content was translated by AI.
Cooking researcher and businessman Jongwon Baek has repeatedly denied whether he will return to broadcasting in connection with his appearance at a local festival.
Dubon Korea said in its official position on the 26th, "There was a request for support from the festival committee in the resident region to promote consumption of the Sangju dried persimmon festival," adding, "As a response, Jongwon Baek representative visited the cheering car site on the 24th and provided free food trucks for the festival receipt event."
Earlier, a video showing Jongwon Baek attending the "2026 Sangju Persimmon Festival" was released on the 24th through online communities and others, drawing attention. In the video, the Jongwon Baek toured the festival site with Sangju Mayor and representative Yeondon and enjoyed the scene while sampling dried persimmons in the hospitality of merchants.
Dubon Korea said, "It is not the first time in eight months that he has appeared in public, but Jongwon Baek has always been making efforts to visit the site in person to find ways to help local governments when they request support." "The program, which was filmed until early last year since the announcement of the suspension of broadcasting, is currently being broadcasted, but it is focusing on management activities related to overseas expansion, including domestic businesses for franchisees, without plans to return to broadcasting."
CEO Jongwon Baek's move was the first public appearance in eight months since the announcement of a suspension of broadcasting activities in May 2025.
Dubon Korea, which is represented by Jongwon Baek, has been under investigation due to controversy over product quality and price, and suspicions related to labeling of the country of origin.
CEO Jongwon Baek recently appeared as a judge on Netflix's "Black and White Cooks: The War of the Cooking Class 2" and is set to release tvN's entertainment show "The World Food Business Challenge White Sands 3" in February.
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*This content was translated by AI.
