'Meat Gangster' David Lee Recounts Painful Experiences of Racism and Bullying in America

Chef David Lee, known as the 'Meat Gangster,' shared his difficult past experiences with racism and bullying during his time in America on the recent episode of KBS2's 'Boss in the Mirror.'

The show featured Lee's daily life as a boss, highlighting his warm interactions with his Ecuadorian-American wife and their four children, earning him praise for his 'crispy outside, chewy inside' boss persona.

During a meal with his staff, Lee opened up about the challenges he faced in the U.S. 'There were many difficulties. The cultural differences were significant, and looking back, the racism is almost laughable, but it was deeply hurtful at the time,' he revealed.

He recounted being ostracized in a kitchen where he worked as a sous chef, simply because of his different background. 'They didn't give me any work because I was of a different race and didn't hang out with them. I left crying, feeling so wronged,' Lee shared, his voice filled with emotion.

Lee also spoke about facing envy and jealousy after securing a position at a two-star restaurant. 'I gritted my teeth and endured. Eventually, one of the colleagues who used to bully me approached me for a drink. When I asked why, he said, 'I came here to work, not to make friends,' and added, 'I saw your sincerity.' He even shared a photo of the colleague who had changed his attitude.

Korean netizens were deeply moved by Lee's story, commenting, 'David Lee is truly amazing,' 'I would have given up in that situation,' and 'It's inspiring to see him overcome racism and bullying.' They expressed their support for his hard work and growth.