Political Farm Turned Animal Farm... "Cancel the Broadcast" vs "Better Than Rehoming Dogs"

President Yoon and First Lady's Appearance on 'Animal Farm' Sparks Controversy
"Cancel the Show" vs "Better Than Dog Abandonment"
Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party Leader, Previously Appeared on Animal Farm

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee's surprise appearance on SBS's 'TV Animal Farm' on the 28th has sparked heated debates among netizens on the show's viewer bulletin board.

On the 29th, the Animal Farm viewer bulletin board was flooded with politically charged posts such as "Cancel the broadcast" and "The criticism is excessive," igniting controversy. Attention is also focused on how SBS will respond following the broadcast featuring the presidential couple the previous day.

On the 29th, the Animal Farm viewer board has been flooded with posts sharply divided in political views, such as "Cancel the broadcast" and "The criticism is excessive," sparking controversy. Attention is also focused on SBS's future response following the broadcast featuring President Yoon and his wife the previous day.
[Photo source=SBS 'Animal Farm' YouTube]

One viewer wrote on the bulletin board, "For over 10 years, I have always watched Animal Farm every Sunday morning, laughing and crying along with it," adding, "The show I cherished the most and loved the most has now become the most political program. Maybe it's time to let go of Animal Farm."

Other posts followed with comments like "Animal Farm has crossed the line," "Animal Farm PD, get a grip," and "Just cancel it already." Amid a flood of criticism from viewers seemingly supporting the opposition, supporters of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and the ruling party also joined the debate, heating up the bulletin board.

One viewer countered by mentioning former President Moon Jae-in's return of a Pungsan dog, saying, "Isn't this much better than abandonment?"

As political controversy intensifies, some viewers respond that it is "excessive"

President Yoon said in this broadcast, "Do not buy, adopt" regarding companion dogs. [Photo by SBS 'Animal Farm' YouTube]

As political controversy around Animal Farm intensifies, some viewers are responding that it is "excessive."

One viewer expressed, "It is a well-known fact that the presidential couple are dog and cat lovers. The segment was merely an example at the national level to promote the welfare of retired guide dogs, so seeing political discussions even on this bulletin board is truly regrettable."

The Animal Farm episode aired on the 29th, titled "I am a Happy Guide Dog," featured a surprise appearance by the presidential couple. The broadcast showcased a total of 11 companion animals living with the Yoon couple at the presidential residence: six dogs and five cats.

President Yoon mentioned the retired guide dog 'Saerom,' adopted on December 24 last year, saying, "There are many dogs serving special purposes, and since they have served the nation and society, it seems right that the state and society bear part of the cost when they need treatment," adding, "Don't buy, adopt." Saerom is a female Labrador Retriever born in December 2013 who served as a guide dog for the visually impaired for over six years before retiring.

The broadcast showed President Yoon walking and playing with the dogs in the presidential residence yard and personally preparing snacks in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, as President Yoon and his wife’s appearance on Animal Farm becomes controversial, the fact that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared on Animal Farm during his time as mayor of Seongnam is also being reexamined.
[Photo by YouTube channel 'Lee Jae-myung']

Meanwhile, as the Yoon couple's appearance on Animal Farm becomes controversial, attention is also being drawn to the past appearance of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on Animal Farm during his tenure as mayor of Seongnam.

The episode featuring Lee, aired in March 2017, introduced the story of Seongnam City adopting a stray dog named 'Haengbok' in 2014. Lee's official YouTube account posted the video with the message, "Have you seen Haengbok, who went from a stray dog to the mascot of Seongnam City? Let's protect animals together."