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The MBC variety show "Chef of Antarctica," featuring Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, has been postponed. The photo shows Baek apologizing over recent product-related controversies during a shareholders’ meeting last month. / Yonhap News

The MBC variety show Chef of Antarctica, featuring Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, has been postponed, the network confirmed on April 14.

“The program’s schedule has been adjusted,” an MBC official said. “The exact broadcast date will be announced once it is confirmed.”

Originally slated to air later this month, the show follows Baek as he prepares warm meals for the Korean overwintering team in Antarctica. However, speculation has grown that the delay is tied to a string of controversies involving products from Baek’s company.

The Born Korea has recently faced multiple allegations—from quality concerns over its “Baek Ham” product raised in January to accusations of violating farmland laws. Additional issues include mislabeling of product origins (such as soybean paste), a “blacklist” message board targeting employees on a company-run cafe, and pesticide-related concerns. Baek addressed these issues and apologized at the company’s first-ever shareholder meeting last month.

In response to the rumors, MBC clarified, “The change in programming was due to news specials and the upcoming early presidential election.”