Beef creator, Steven Yeun and Ali Wong break silence over David Choe rape story
Beef creator Lee Sung Jin and stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong have broken their silence on the David Choe rape story, describing his comments as 'extremely disturbing'.
Choe has been at the centre of widespread criticism for controversial comments he made several years ago.
In resurfaced footage, which has been shared widely on social media, the 46-year-old recalled an alleged sexual assault of a massage therapist.
He claimed that he touched the female masseuse and demanded she perform a sex act on him.
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Beef creator Lee Sung Jin and co-stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong have now spoken out about the controversy, saying they do not 'condone' what he said in any way.
In a joint statement to Variety, the trio called Choe’s story 'undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing', but said he has 'put in the work to get the mental health support he needed'.
Their statement said: “The story David Choe fabricated nine years ago is undeniably hurtful and extremely disturbing. We do not condone this story in any way, and we understand why this has been so upsetting and triggering.
"We’re aware David has apologized in the past for making up this horrific story, and we’ve seen him put in the work to get the mental health support he needed over the last decade to better himself and learn from his mistakes."
After the clip began circulating online, Choe released a statement in which he apologised for any hurt he caused, but he assured people that it was just a joke.
"I’m sorry if anyone believed that the stories were fact," he said. "They were not!"
He also previously responded to another wave of backlash in 2014, saying that the comments had been 'a complete extension of his art'.
He said: “I never thought I’d wake up one late afternoon and hear myself called a rapist. It sucks. Especially because I am not one. I am not a rapist. I hate rapists, I think rapists should be raped and murdered.
“I am an artist and a storyteller and I view my show ‘DVDASA’ as a complete extension of my art. If I am guilty of anything, it’s bad storytelling in the style of douche.
"Just like many of my paintings are often misinterpreted, the same goes with my show. The main objective of all of my podcasts is to challenge and provoke my friends and the co-stars on the show. We f**k with each other, entertain ourselves and laugh at each other.
"It’s a dark, tasteless, completely irreverent show where we fuck with everyone listening, but mostly ourselves. We create stories and tell tales. It’s not a news show. It’s not a representation of my reality. It’s not the place to come for reliable information about me or my life.
"It’s my version of reality, it’s art that sometimes offends people. I’m sorry if anyone believed that the stories were fact. They were not! In a world full of horrible people, thank god for us.”
Jess Hardiman