MBC Radio Kim Jong-bae Focus Interview
"Car Equipped with 3-Section Baton and Electric Shock Device for Self-Defense"
"JMS Side Interferes with Production and Interview"
"My car is equipped with a three-section baton and a stun gun for self-defense. This is the first time in my 15 years as a PD that I've had to prepare something like this."
Jo Seong-hyun, an MBC PD who directed the Netflix documentary series I Am God: People Betrayed by God, claimed that he was subjected to stalking, threats, and hacking while covering the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS).
This series tracks figures who called themselves gods, including JMS leader Jeong Myeong-seok, and has caused social uproar, especially regarding allegations of sexual assault against JMS members featured in the series.
On the 7th, Jo PD appeared on MBC Radio's Kim Jong-bae's Focus and alleged that JMS obstructed the production of the I Am God series by blocking the entry of participants and interfering with interviews.
Jo PD said, "One of our participants, a friend from Hong Kong, was preparing to enter the country and changed his flight tickets and times three times, but every time he tried to depart, JMS followers appeared and prevented him from boarding the plane." He continued, "Once, while we were filming with a participant, it happened to be raining outside the window, and the participant was quietly staring out. At that moment, a text message came saying, 'Are you looking out the window now? It's raining.' It was terrifying."
He added, "There were many situations where I wondered how such information could have leaked to the other side." Jo PD also said, "Once, while preparing for a video interview with an Australian participant, about five minutes before, a message came as if they knew in advance, saying 'Do not participate in the interview.'"
He continued, "We suspected there might be other JMS followers within our team, so we tried all sorts of methods, including spreading false information and not sharing almost any filming schedules. Eventually, we reached a point where we distrusted everyone," he added.
He also addressed criticisms regarding sensationalism raised by some. The documentary includes reconstructed scenes of sexual assault based on participants' claims and nudity, which led to criticism that the incident was handled too sensationally.
Jo PD said, "I think some viewers might find (the sensational or violent scenes) uncomfortable," and added, "Even our team members sometimes suffered mental shock after filming and were bedridden for a week."
Jo PD stated, "This documentary shows many situations where human dignity was violated, such as sexual exploitation, child abuse, and labor exploitation," and added, "Rather than focusing on the controversy over sexual violence against women, I hope people consider that these were real harms that happened to someone’s daughter in a certain household. We only covered about one-tenth of the actual severity."
He continued, "There were many cases of sexual exploitation and abuse far more severe than what has been shown on broadcast," he added.
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