Why Is Everyone Googling Triple Star Chef Kang Seung-Won?

If you’ve been watching Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars like me, you probably know Chef Kang Seung-won—aka Triple Star—has been super interesting. 

He’s so calm when things get crazy, his plating is perfect, and he’s almost scary precise in the kitchen. I liked him right away. 

But since the show got big, his name’s been all over the news, and not just for cooking stuff. People admired his cooking skills at first, but now they’re curious—and a lot of fans are confused—because Korean news sources are reporting some bad stuff about him, like cheating and money problems. 

I’ve spent the last few weeks reading news and confirmed reports, and I wanted to make a simple rundown of what actually happened and why everyone’s been searching for info about the Triple Star chef. Also, if you still don’t know him, I’ll tell you who he is and what he’s all about. 

I want to separate rumor from reality, and explain how Chef Triple Star was recently cleared of embezzlement charges. 

Who Is Triple Star Chef?

Before the controversy, Kang Seung-won was best known for his discipline, professionalism, and that rare blend of creativity and precision you only see in chefs at the top of their game. 

“Since childhood, [he has] been working hard to improve [his] cooking skills by going to cooking school, and went to study abroad in the United States in [his] 20s,” according to Namu Wiki. 

Born and raised in South Korea, he trained at some of Seoul’s most prestigious restaurants before gaining global attention through Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars.” 

The show, which quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched Korean reality competitions, pitted some of the country’s best chefs against each other in high-pressure culinary battles. 

To me, Chef Triple Star’s performance was consistent, inventive, and emotionally restrained. And I guess that’s something which earned him third place overall. However, in the eyes of many fans (including me), he was easily the show’s breakout star. 

His demeanor on screen exuded confidence and calm, the kind of quiet authority that instantly made him a viewer favorite. 

How The Controversy Started: Dispatch’s Explosive Report About Triple Star Chef

Things began to unravel on 30th October 2024, when Dispatch published a lengthy exposé alleging that Chef Triple Star’s personal life was far from as pristine as his kitchen whites. 

According to reports summarized by Koreaboo and discussed widely on Reddit, the article accused him of cheating, ghosting, and manipulating multiple women — including a woman identified as his ex-wife. 

One particularly detailed Dispatch report, as cited by Koreaboo, claimed that he had a short-lived marriage, that “only lasted three months, ending in a divorce.” And guess what? Apparently, the turbulent breakup allegedly involved money disputes and emotional distress. 

Fans on social media were quick to react. While some defended him fiercely, others expressed disappointment. 

What struck me the most while reading through comments was how divided people were: one half clung to the image of the disciplined chef we saw on Netflix, while the other half couldn’t ignore the mounting claims surfacing online. 

At that point, though, these were personal allegations, not proven legal findings. Still, the online speculation quickly escalated. 

The Embezzlement Allegations And What The Police Actually Found

Shortly after Dispatch’s report, more serious accusations followed. His ex-wife reportedly filed a criminal complaint accusing him of embezzling ₩24 million (approximately $18,000 USD) from their restaurant business. 

This was when the story shifted from gossip to something that caught the attention of law enforcement. 

According to The Korea JoongAng Daily, the Seoul Gangnam Police Station began an investigation into whether Kang had misused restaurant funds for personal reasons — specifically, to repay his father’s debt. 

However, after months of investigation, the police officially announced that there was not enough evidence to support an embezzlement charge. 

Triple Star chef Kang stated on his social media account: 

“I received notice from Gangnam police in September that the investigation was dropped due to a lack of evidence, and the prosecution has since finalized the decision to dismiss the case.” 

In legal terms, this means the case was not referred to prosecutors — a significant distinction from an acquittal, but still a formal recognition that there was no prosecutable offense. 

The report from The Chosun Ilbo further clarified that financial records did not show illegal transfers or intent to defraud. The police concluded that the disputed money was part of a personal loan, not embezzled funds. 

Essentially, what began as a criminal suspicion ended with no charges filed. 

Chef Triple Star’s Statement And Silence

In response, Chef Kang Seung-won released a brief public statement saying that he had evidence disproving the allegations — including data retrieved from his phone — but chose not to share it publicly. His reason? He didn’t want to drag personal matters into the media spotlight any further. 

He wrote that although the past months had been “painful,” he preferred to “protect the privacy of those involved” rather than publicly refute every claim. 

To me, this restraint feels very much in line with the personality we saw on the show — composed, understated, and focused on what’s next rather than on the noise around him. 

Still, in the age of viral media, silence often invites speculation. While some fans respected his decision to stay quiet, others interpreted it as avoidance, which further fueled online debate. 

What Was The Public Reaction: Support, Shock, And A Divided Audience

The public reaction was intense. Fans of Culinary Class Wars took to social media to express shock, confusion, and disappointment. On forums like Reddit’s r/CulinaryClassWars, fans shared screenshots, translated news clips, and debated which outlets were credible. 

For many viewers — myself included — it felt surreal watching a beloved contestant’s story take such a sharp turn. But as more official updates came in, especially after the police cleared him of wrongdoing, the conversation began to shift. 

Some fans rallied around him, arguing that media sensationalism had unfairly tainted his reputation. Others remained skeptical, noting that while he wasn’t charged, the personal-life allegations still raised questions. 

This division is something we’ve seen repeatedly in Korean entertainment — from K-pop idols to actors — where public opinion can swing drastically within days. 

Where Things Stand Now With Triple Star Chef?

As of now, Kang Seung-won remains legally cleared of all charges. His restaurant and television work, however, have reportedly slowed down while he remains out of the public eye. 

According to The Korea Times, some of his upcoming collaborations were quietly postponed, likely due to the ongoing public debate. Still, insiders suggest that he plans to return to culinary television once the dust settles. 

In his statement to The Chosun Ilbo, this is what he stated:

“The results of the embezzlement claims filed by my ex-wife have been announced. I was notified of the non-indictment (no suspicion) investigation result by the Seoul Gangnam Police Station last month, and the decision has been finalized…However, I will respond through legal proceedings regarding malicious comments based on groundless rumors online.” 

In Korea’s entertainment industry, comebacks after controversy aren’t unheard of — but they often depend on timing, public sentiment, and authenticity. If Chef Triple Star continues to stay transparent and focus on his craft, there’s a real possibility that audiences could welcome him back.