Julian Quintart Apologizes for 'Cold Cup Controversy': 'Sorry for Causing Harm Unintentionally'

Broadcaster and environmental activist Julian Quintart has issued a public apology regarding a recent controversy surrounding a single-serving cold cup.

On the 22nd, Julian posted a statement reflecting on how his recent criticism of a cafe's excessive packaging was perceived as an attack on a specific business, causing unintended harm. He expressed remorse for the situation unfolding differently than intended and reiterated his genuine commitment to environmental issues.

Previously, Julian had pointed out the takeaway practices of a cold cup cafe, questioning the necessity of what appeared to be a triple-cup system beyond a double cup. However, this led to backlash after the cafe's owner reportedly explained their practices and accused Julian of misusing photos and deleting posts.

Quintart clarified, "Due to the way I chose to express myself, it came across as an attack on a specific brand." He apologized for inadvertently causing damage to a particular business, explaining his original intent was to address the broader trend of double-cup usage. He emphasized that he never viewed the cafe negatively, praising their drinks and branding, and acknowledged the difficulties faced by small business owners, apologizing again for adding to their burden.

However, Julian also mentioned his conversation with the owner, understanding the use of double cups to prevent ice from melting quickly. Yet, he expressed disappointment that the triple-cup addition, potentially for aesthetic reasons, highlights a reality where environmental concerns are overlooked for convenience and style.

He detailed his personal environmental conservation efforts, stating, "My wish is for the world we all live in to be cleaner." He further underscored his deep concern for environmental issues by citing South Korea's low disposable cup recycling rate of only 5%.

Julian pledged to handle such sensitive issues with more wisdom in the future, proposed ways to compensate the affected cafe owner, and promised to maintain transparency in future communications.

Julian Quintart, a Belgian-born television personality, first gained widespread recognition in Korea through the JTBC show 'Non-Summit'. Beyond his broadcasting career, he is a dedicated environmental activist. He is slated to receive an award from the Ministry of Environment in 2025, has been honored with the Grand Prize in the Citizen Category at the Korea Green Climate Awards in 2023, and serves as an honorary ambassador for EU Climate Action, acknowledging his significant contributions to environmental causes.