Home Shopping Salary King Sparks Controversy with Consecutive "XX" Swear Words During Live Broadcast

"Can't Home Shopping Be Like Entertainment?" Controversy Invited
Currently Appearing on Various Home Shopping Channels as a Freelancer

A famous shopping host has sparked a flood of complaints to the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) after using profanity during a live home shopping broadcast. The KCSC has requested a statement from the production team. The statement procedure involves a representative from the broadcasting company appearing to explain the production circumstances and process when legal sanctions are being considered.

On the 15th, the KCSC held an Advertising Review Subcommittee meeting to review a Hyundai Home Shopping broadcast where a cast member used inappropriate language during a product sales broadcast.

Jung Yoon-jung. [Photo by Asia Economy]

Jung Yoon-jung, who appeared as a guest on the Hyundai Home Shopping broadcast, used profanity during a live broadcast selling Carol Frank Luxuring Cream on January 28. Despite the cosmetics being sold out, Jung expressed frustration at not being able to end the broadcast early and uttered the profanity. She mentioned that a travel product broadcast was scheduled afterward, saying, "Travel products only air for a fixed amount of time. Lee, why travel again?" She then added, "××. I was trying to go on a trip."

Afterward, Jung was asked by the production team to make a correction, to which she responded, "Should I make a correction? I'm good at corrections." However, she continued, "Ah, inappropriate language on the broadcast. What did I say? I forgot," and said, "Sometimes I use inappropriate language during broadcasts, sorry, but please see it as entertainment. Can't home shopping become an entertainment era too?" thereby inviting controversy.

The KCSC judged that this case violated Article 37, Paragraph 2 of the Regulations on Product Introduction and Sales Broadcasts. The provision states, "Product introduction and sales broadcasts must not use profanity, slang, or vulgar expressions that harm the proper language use of the public."

The commissioners unanimously decided on a 'statement procedure.' This procedure gives the broadcaster an opportunity to explain before sanctions are imposed. The home shopping company must attend the next meeting and answer related questions from the commissioners. After hearing the explanation, the Advertising Subcommittee will decide the level of sanctions. If legal sanctions are decided, the case will be discussed again at a full meeting before the final sanction level is determined.

Jung Yoon-jung introduced herself on MBN's 'Cart Show' in 2017 by saying, "Whenever I sell something, I sell 10,000 units, so my nickname changed from 'Sold-Out Lady' to 'Ten-Thousand Sold Lady'."
[Photo by MBN 'Real Market Talk, Cart Show']

On the same day, two other cases related to Jung were decided as 'no problem.' Complaints had been raised that Jung ate kimbap or made phone calls with her husband during a Lotte Home Shopping broadcast, conducting the home shopping like a personal broadcast. Regarding this, the majority opinion was that "In general entertainment programs, it is common to eat food while broadcasting, and entertainment elements may be added to increase sales."

Meanwhile, Jung is known as the 'Home Shopping Sold-Out Queen.' She currently appears on various home shopping channels as a freelancer. When she appeared on MBN's 'Cart Show' in 2017, she introduced herself by saying, "Whenever I sell, I sell 10,000 units, so my nickname changed from 'Sold-Out Queen' to 'Ten-Thousand Sold Queen.'" Jung did not disclose the exact amount of her annual salary but acknowledged that she "earns the most in the industry."