David Choe, an actor in Netflix’s show “Beef,” has become a topic of controversy due to resurfaced comments about his “rapey behavior” in a 2014 podcast. In response, the creators of the show, Lee Sung Jin and stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, have issued a statement defending Choe’s character and acknowledging that the comments were unsettling (Variety). Despite this, some fans remain upset with the team’s continued silence on the matter (The Hollywood Reporter).
In addition to these recent developments, Choe has also gained attention for his art career. Choe is a painter and muralist who first gained recognition for his work in the early 2000s through his graffiti art in Los Angeles. Since then, he has exhibited his work in galleries around the world, and his paintings have sold for millions of dollars (Vanity Fair).
Despite his success, Choe has faced controversy before. In 2012, it was revealed that he was paid in stock options for his work on a mural at Facebook’s headquarters, which he later sold for around $200 million after the company went public. Some criticized Choe for profiting off of the company’s success without contributing to its development (The Washington Post).
Despite these controversies, Choe remains a prominent figure in both the art and entertainment worlds. While his remarks about sexual assault have prompted criticism from some, his defenders maintain that he has “put in the work” to improve his behavior (The Hollywood Reporter). It remains to be seen how this controversy will affect Choe’s career going forward.