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The creators and stars of Netflix and A24’s hit comedy-drama, Beef, are standing behind co-star David Choe. The actor got here below fireplace over a 2014 episode of his now-defunct “DVDASA” podcast during which he made gentle of sexually assaulting a lady whereas receiving a therapeutic massage service.
Beef grew to become an immediate hit following its debut earlier this month. Nonetheless, fandom rapidly became backlash after BuzzFeed Information launched an article during which Choe recalled relieving himself in entrance of his masseuse earlier than forcing her to carry out oral intercourse on him. For the reason that incident, The Final Dinosaur of the Congo host has denied the story’s validity regardless of declaring himself “a profitable rapist” in the course of the very-detailed telling of the graphic encounter.
Forward of the weekend, present creator Lee Sung Jin and government producers and stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong launched a joint assertion to Selection, echoing their solid member’s earlier claims that the story was “fabricated.”
They described the controversy as “undeniably hurtful and very disturbing.” Nonetheless, they felt Choe had “put within the work to get the psychological well being assist he wanted.” Of their launch, the group made it clear that they “don’t condone this story in any approach” and “perceive why this has been so upsetting and triggering.”
They continued, “We’re conscious David has apologized previously for making up this horrific story, and we’ve seen him put within the work to get the psychological well being assist he wanted during the last decade to raised himself and study from his errors.”
Choe’s most up-to-date acknowledgment of the scenario got here throughout a 2021 sit down with The New York Occasions’ Edmund Lee, during which he spoke concerning the fallout, noting he had reached a low level in his life and “needed out.” Nonetheless, he continued to disclaim the incident stating that “it was surprisingly comforting to be so despised.” He added, “It matched how I felt about myself for the primary time.”