Chef Ahn Sung-jae resurfaces on Instagram two months after wine-swap scandal

Chef Ahn Sung-jae, who had gone silent on social media following a wine-substitution controversy, signaled his return Monday by posting on Instagram for the first time in roughly two months.

Ahn shared several photos on his Instagram account Monday, writing that he was "always glad to share the story of Mosu and myself."

The images drew attention for showing the chef looking noticeably thinner than before, with a more defined jawline.

Followers responded with comments including "Why have you lost so much weight?", "Please take care of your health" and "We're rooting for you."

The post was his first since May — about two months ago — and his reappearance has prompted speculation that he may be ready to resume public activity.

The controversy erupted in April, when Ahn's restaurant Mosu faced allegations that it had deceived customers by charging for expensive wines while serving cheaper ones in their place.

At the time, Ahn apologized for "causing disappointment through inadequate service," but denied that the restaurant had engaged in deliberate or habitual wine substitution, attributing the incident to a personal mistake by the sommelier on duty.

He drew further criticism when, on the same day as his apology, he uploaded a new video to his YouTube channel — a move widely seen as undermining the sincerity of his apology — and subsequently suspended his social media activity.