The entertainment world was recently shaken by resurfaced comments made by David Choe in 2014, where he claimed to be a “successful rapist.” The co-stars and creator of the hit series “Beef,” Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, and Lee Sung Jin, have now come forward with a joint statement expressing their strong disapproval of Choe’s past remarks.
In the episode of his now-defunct “DVDASA” podcast, Choe recounted a disturbing incident involving a biracial massage therapist named Rose. He admitted to sexually assaulting her, confessing that he forced her into oral sex without her consent. When confronted by his co-host, Asa Akira, who used the term “raped,” Choe disturbingly replied with an affirmative “yeah,” even labeling himself as a “successful rapist.”
The shocking comments, which have resurfaced after Choe’s prominent role in the Netflix series “Beef,” have sparked outrage and controversy across social media platforms. Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, and Lee Sung Jin have taken a strong stance against Choe’s past actions, jointly releasing a statement to Vanity Fair. In their statement, they unequivocally condemned Choe’s fabricated story from nine years ago, emphasizing its hurtful and deeply disturbing nature. The “Beef” team clearly stated that they do not support such behavior in any way, acknowledging the genuine upset and triggering caused by Choe’s words.
David Choe did issue an apology for his 2014 comments back when they first surfaced. He vehemently denied being a rapist and expressed his disdain for rapists, stating that they should be subjected to heinous punishment. As an artist and storyteller, Choe regarded his podcast “DVDASA” as an extension of his art, claiming that some of his paintings were also frequently misinterpreted. He attributed the problematic nature of his storytelling to a style characterized by insensitivity and arrogance.
The controversy has gained renewed attention in recent weeks due to the release of “Beef” on Netflix, a show in which Choe played a significant role, sharing the screen with Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, who also served as executive producers. Despite Choe’s apologies and purported efforts to seek mental health support and growth over the past decade, the controversy has once again resurfaced, raising questions about accountability and redemption in the entertainment industry.
In response to the resurfacing of Choe’s comments, clips of the 2014 episode have been widely circulated on social media platforms. However, it seems that Choe has attempted to take action to remove the videos, with some Twitter users reporting that their posts featuring the controversial clips were removed due to alleged copyright violations. The David Young Choe Foundation, Choe’s nonprofit, is said to own the rights to the contentious content.
As of now, David Choe has not publicly addressed the renewed backlash following the joint statement made by the “Beef” team. The Times reached out to Choe for comment, but no immediate response has been received.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding David Choe’s past comments has once again brought to the forefront the significance of addressing such issues responsibly. The joint statement by the “Beef” stars and creator underscores the importance of not condoning harmful actions and emphasizes the need for accountability in the entertainment industry. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains essential for individuals and organizations to confront such controversies in a sensitive and thoughtful manner.
FAQs
- Q: What were the controversial comments made by David Choe?
- A: In 2014, David Choe made explicit remarks on his now-defunct “DVDASA” podcast, confessing to sexually assaulting a biracial massage therapist named Rose and forcing her into oral sex without her consent.
- Q: How did the “Beef” stars and creator respond to David Choe’s comments?
- A: Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, and Lee Sung Jin jointly released a statement condemning Choe’s fabricated story, expressing their disapproval of his past actions, and acknowledging the harm caused by his words.
- Q: Has David Choe apologized for his 2014 comments?
- A: Yes, David Choe issued an apology in 2014, denying being a rapist and stating that he viewed his podcast “DVDASA” as an extension of his art.
- Q: How has social media responded to the resurfacing of Choe’s comments?
- A: Clips of Choe’s 2014 comments have been widely circulated on social media platforms, with some Twitter users reporting that their posts featuring the controversial content were removed due to alleged copyright violations.
- Q: What has been the impact of the controversy on David Choe and the “Beef” series?
- A: The controversy has raised questions about accountability and redemption in the entertainment industry, with Choe’s involvement in the series “Beef” drawing renewed attention to his past comments. The situation remains ongoing, with Choe yet to address the recent backlash publicly.