Composer and broadcaster Don Spike (49, real name Kim Min-su), who served time in prison on drug charges before his release, has resurfaced with an update on his life.
On Wednesday, Don Spike posted a photo of a store's exterior overlooking the sea on his SNS, writing, "Almost there. Just a few final touches left."
The photo showed the name "BARBACOA," referring to a slow-cooking method for meat, along with the phrase "by donspike," hinting at the opening of a new restaurant.
Don Spike built a following as a "meat master" during his entertainment career but halted all activities in 2022 after a drug scandal.
He was charged with purchasing about 45 million won ($33,600) worth of drugs nine times, using them 14 times, and giving them to others seven times between late 2021 and 2022.
The first trial court sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended for five years, but the appeals court handed down a two-year prison term. Don Spike appealed to the Supreme Court, which upheld the two-year sentence, and he completed his term in March 2025.
During the trial, it also emerged that Don Spike had a prior drug conviction.
Don Spike was fined 5 million won over smoking marijuana at a studio in Seocho-gu, Seoul, between 2008 and 2009, and was given a two-year suspended sentence, among other penalties, for marijuana use again in 2010.
Meanwhile, news of Don Spike's restaurant opening has drawn mixed reactions online, with some commenters writing, "He's a drug offender, so I'm uneasy about the food," while others said, "Isn't it enough that he's quit drugs now?"
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