Sam Okyere breaks silence after 5-Year hiatus over racism controversy: “I couldn’t leave Korea… It’s my home”

Sam Okyere, the television personality who halted his career amid a racism controversy, has bowed his head once again, five years after stepping away from the spotlight.

Appearing recently on the YouTube channel K-Story, Sam Okyere opened up about his past struggles and current life, saying, “If anyone was hurt by my actions or words, I am truly sorry.” The channel, hosted by former lawmaker Jasmine Lee, features interviews with foreign residents living in Korea.

The Ghana-born broadcaster has largely remained off air since the controversy erupted in 2020. Reflecting on that period, he admitted, “I went through more hardship than I expected. Many moments were too difficult to put into words, and many times I wanted to give up.” However, he added that he held onto the belief that one should never give up on life, drawing strength from the perseverance he learned while appearing on MBC’s 'Real Men.'

He credited those around him for helping him endure the difficult years. “I didn’t get through it alone. It was possible because there were people who loved me and remembered me,” he said. Online criticism and malicious comments made him hesitant to go outside at times. Yet when he did, restaurant owners and acquaintances often treated him warmly, like family, offering comfort and encouragement. “I was hurt by people, but in the end, I was also comforted by people,” he reflected.

Sam Okyere also explained why he chose not to leave Korea. “Honestly, I had nowhere else to go,” he said. “I came to Korea at 19 and became an adult here. I learned and grew up here.” Calling Korea a place that feels like home, he added, “If you tell me to leave my home and go somewhere else, where would I go?” Over the past five years, he said, he spent a great deal of time reflecting and came to realize just how deep his affection for Korea runs.

During his hiatus, he focused on self-improvement. “I studied Korean more and explored various fields to make up for my shortcomings,” he shared. While he attempted to return to broadcasting, he acknowledged that it was not easy. Instead, he spent time cooking, pursuing personal business ventures, and gaining new experiences.

Sam Okyere first rose to prominence in 2014 as Ghana’s representative on JTBC’s 'Non-Summit.' He later gained popularity through appearances on variety shows such as 'Real Men' and 'Korean Foreigners.'

However, in 2020, a post he shared on social media sparked controversy. At the time, students at Uijeongbu High School parodied the so-called “Ghana pallbearers” meme, originating from Ghanaian funeral culture, for their graduation photos, with some students appearing in blackface. Sam Okyere reposted the image, stating that the act was deeply offensive from a Black person’s perspective and urging people not to engage in such behavior.

He later explained that he intended to raise awareness that blackface is widely recognized as racist in Western countries. However, criticism mounted over his decision to share photos of minors without blurring their faces and to include English-language hashtags in the post.

As the backlash grew, past actions also resurfaced. Allegations emerged that he had previously appeared to endorse sexually inappropriate comments about women on social media, and that he had used the hashtag “#teakpop,” interpreted by some as disparaging toward K-pop. Critics also pointed to gestures from earlier broadcasts that were perceived as mocking Asians. Although he issued an apology as the controversy intensified, public opinion did not quickly subside, and he ultimately suspended his broadcasting activities.

In August 2022, Sam Okyere again apologized through YouTube content, saying he was sorry for disappointing those who had supported him. Nevertheless, public sentiment remained largely cold, and a full-scale return to television has yet to materialize.