"Baek Jong-won Is Rather the Victim"... Korean Netizens Also Angry Over Territorialism and Malicious Comments

Closed 1 Hour and 10 Minutes After Starting Business Locally

Chef entrepreneur and broadcaster Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, has been experiencing territorial hostility while filming the variety show 'Business Genius Baek CEO' in Morocco, and has been receiving malicious comments from Moroccans after the broadcast.

The episode of tvN's variety show 'Business Genius Baek CEO' aired on the 9th featured Baek CEO starting a Korean food business at a market in Morocco, Africa.

"Isn't it pork?"... Followed local Islamic law but faced malicious complaints

A sudden power outage during business.
[Photo by tvN 'Jangsa Genius Baek Sajang' YouTube video capture]

Baek CEO operated a bulgogi burger and galbitang street stall, winning over the local palate. The tables quickly filled up due to its popularity.

However, the market authorities interfered with the business by cutting off electricity just 50 minutes after the stall opened.

A local part-time worker who spoke with the market officials said, "They said we can't continue selling. They said there is a problem but I don't know why." Actor Lee Jang-woo, a cast member, expressed regret, saying, "There is territorial hostility," and "Because the business was doing too well."

Unlike the flustered staff, Baek CEO continued the business humming as if nothing was wrong. He calmed everyone by saying, "We just need to do well for the customers who are already here."

However, when they could no longer accept additional customers, Baek CEO and the members decided to close the business after 1 hour and 10 minutes.

In an interview, Baek CEO revealed, "When the electricity suddenly went out, I had a bad feeling because I have experience running a business. I thought something was wrong," and added, "It feels very unpleasant to have to close a business, especially when forced to. I was very angry but managed my expression."

The reason Baek CEO and his team had to close was due to malicious complaints questioning the source of the food. Morocco only allows consumption of 'halal food' according to Islamic law.

Therefore, Baek CEO and the cast cooked using halal meat and ingredients purchased at the local market, but some customers filed complaints doubting, saying things like "These people eat frogs," or "Isn't this pork?" Additionally, the market authorities demanded a halt to business, saying, "Who will take responsibility if customers get sick from eating strange things?"

Afterwards, the production team sought a new location and succeeded in securing a hotteok (Korean pancake) shop they had visited on their first day in Morocco, allowing Baek CEO and his team to start a new business.

After the broadcast, a flood of malicious comments... Production team also criticized

The image shows BamBam, a cast member, asking if the praying people are the production team, and Lee Jang-woo, another cast member, bursting into laughter at his question.
[Photo by tvN 'Jangsa Genius Baeksajang' YouTube video capture]

After the broadcast aired, Baek CEO's Instagram was flooded with numerous malicious comments in Arabic, English, and other languages.

They wrote comments such as "You have tarnished Morocco's image, so never cross our borders again," "You did not respect our religion, so we will not respect you," "Do not mock Moroccans," "You did not respect Morocco's traditions, culture, and religion," and "Never come to Morocco again."

Various interpretations have emerged regarding the background of Baek CEO receiving such a barrage of malicious comments.

In the first episode of 'Business Genius Baek CEO' aired on the 2nd, the production team included a map to explain the country of Morocco, but excluded the 'Western Sahara' region, which is currently a disputed territory, when marking Morocco. Morocco considers Western Sahara as its own territory and regards gaining international recognition of its sovereignty over the area as a diplomatic priority.

Another controversy arose from a scene showing Islamic prayer. Muslims pray five times a day.

Baek CEO stopped by a secondhand store to buy kitchen utensils. After hesitating over the high price, he decided to purchase them, but when he re-entered the store, it was prayer time.

At that moment, cast member and singer BamBam asked, "Are those our production staff?" Upon hearing this, Baek CEO and Lee Jang-woo burst into laughter at BamBam's innocent and unbiased comment, saying, "Why would the production staff be bowing down there?"

This scene was misinterpreted on a Moroccan website, where a video with Arabic subtitles circulated claiming the cast said, "Look at their butts," referring to the praying people. This misunderstanding likely worsened the situation.

Korean netizens: "We need to properly judge right and wrong... Baek Jong-won is actually the victim"

However, Korean netizens are also angry about the incident. They argue that the production team is responsible for the map, but the cast is unfairly receiving malicious comments.

Many netizens also defended the prayer scene, explaining it was not disrespectful to religion.

Some opinions even suggest that Baek CEO and his team were subjected to racial discrimination.

They cited the behavior of locals at the market who doubted and filed complaints, saying "They eat frogs," and "Is it really okay to eat this?"

Korean netizens commented, "The cast respected Moroccan culture by preparing halal food, but locals did not trust them simply because they are Asians. Baek CEO was rather discriminated against," and "If you feel Morocco's honor was damaged in the market scenes, you should address it with the market authorities," gaining much sympathy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.