Court rules celebrity chef Baek Jong-won did not originate 'daepae samgyeopsal'

A South Korean court has ruled that celebrity chef Baek Jong-won did not originate the popular dish "daepae samgyeopsal," commonly known as thinly sliced pork belly.

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It is difficult to conclude that CEO Baek first developed daepae samgyeopsal.

The ruling came as part of a lawsuit filed by a franchisee of Baek's company, Theborn Korea, against YouTuber Kim Jae-hwan. Kim had claimed that Baek was not the originator of the dish. Theborn Korea sought damages, alleging defamation and a drop in sales due to Kim's video.

Baek had previously stated in various media appearances that he developed the dish. He described a process where frozen pork belly, when put through a ham slicer, produced thin, rolled slices that became the basis for "daepae samgyeopsal." His company's website also claimed he developed it in 1993, and he registered the trademark in 1998.

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Daepae samgyeopsal appears to have been popular in Busan since the 1980s.

However, Kim presented evidence, including testimony from Busan merchants, suggesting the dish was popular in the late 1980s, a decade earlier than Baek's claim. The court agreed, stating that "daepae samgyeopsal" appeared to have been popular in Busan since the 1980s. The judges noted that the dish requires no special preparation and can be made by simply slicing pork belly thinly with a meat slicer, resulting in the characteristic rolled shape.

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Daepae samgyeopsal requires no special manufacturing process, and when sliced thinly with a meat slicer, it becomes rolled.

The court also dismissed the claim that the YouTube video caused a decline in sales, citing the ongoing controversies surrounding Baek. Theborn Korea stated that the lawsuit was an individual matter for the franchisee and that they are working on measures to protect franchisees from similar damages caused by malicious videos.

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The YouTuber's malicious video caused damages to the franchisee.