"90s Satire" Was Useless... Kian84 Fined 100,000 Won for Smoking on SNL

Imposing Fines on Health Center Due to Viewer Complaints
Same Penalty for Cast Members Who Previously Portrayed Indoor Smoking

Webtoon artist and broadcaster Gian84, who appeared on Coupang Play's comedy show 'SNL Korea' Season 5 and sparked controversy by smoking a real cigarette during the broadcast, is ultimately expected to receive a fine.

"Confirmed smoking scenes by 'SNL Season 5' cast... Prior notice of fine to be sent"

On the 27th of last month, in 'SNL Korea Season 5' released on that day, Kian84 actually lit and smoked a cigarette in the 'Saranghae Studio' segment, a parody of the popular 1990s program 'Sarang-ui Studio'. [Image source=Coupang Play SNL Korea Season 5]

On the 8th, the Ilsandong-gu Public Health Center in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, responded through the National Petition Board, stating, "Our health center has confirmed smoking scenes by the cast of 'SNL Korea Season 5,'" and added, "Before imposing fines according to relevant laws, we plan to send prior notices of fine to the parties involved in accordance with Article 21 (Prior Notice of Disposition) of the Administrative Procedures Act." However, they also noted, "Due to the occupational nature of the parties, it is very difficult to obtain personal information such as contact details, addresses, and resident registration numbers, so it is expected to take considerable time until the prior notice is delivered to the parties. We ask for your understanding."

Additionally, actors Jung Sung-ho and Kim Min-kyo, who portrayed indoor smoking scenes in past episodes, received the same penalties. 'SNL Korea' recordings currently take place at the JTBC studio located in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang City. The building is a mixed-use facility and the entire space is designated as a non-smoking area. According to Article 9, Paragraph 4, Item 16 of the National Health Promotion Act, office buildings, factories, and mixed-use buildings with a total floor area of 1,000㎡ or more are designated as non-smoking zones throughout the facility. No one is allowed to smoke in these non-smoking areas, and violators are subject to fines of up to 100,000 KRW. For this reason, it is generally known that nicotine-free cigarettes are used when filming indoor smoking scenes.

On the 20th of last month, actors Jung Sung-ho and Kim Min-kyo appeared in the 'SNL Korea Season 5' Lee Hee-jun episode, performing a smoking scene. [Image source=Coupang Play SNL Korea Season 5]

"Intended to satirize the 1990s" explanation was ineffective... Viewer complaints filed

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, Gian84 actually smoked during a skit on 'SNL Korea.' At that time, Gian84 appeared as 41-year-old cartoonist Kim Hee-min in a corner parodying the 1990s program 'Love Studio.' He introduced himself by saying, "I am serializing 'Fashion King' in the magazine Treasure Island." Then, lamenting, "I'm older now, so I really have to get married this time, and my mother is very worried. I don't think it will go well today," he took out a cigarette and smoked it.

Startled 'SNL' actors rushed out, saying, "What are you doing lighting a real cigarette?" and tried to stop him, but Gian84 said, "This is an old broadcast. In the 1990s, smoking on air was allowed." Biting the cigarette was part of the scripted acting, but lighting it and actually smoking it was reportedly an ad-lib by Gian84.

Viewers had mixed reactions to this scene, with some saying, "We should consider that it was a concept of a past broadcast," while others felt, "Actually smoking indoors was excessive." Subsequently, a viewer filed a complaint on the 29th of last month requesting fines be imposed on Gian84 for indoor smoking in a non-smoking area, as well as on Jung Sung-ho and Kim Min-kyo for indoor smoking scenes in past episodes.

Previously fined on 'I Live Alone' as well

This is not the first time Gian84 has been fined for actions shown on broadcast. In 2016, on MBC's 'I Live Alone,' a scene showing him riding a motorcycle under 50cc without a license plate was aired, and a viewer reported this to the National Petition Board, stating, "Failure to attach a license plate to a two-wheeled vehicle is a violation of the Motor Vehicle Management Act," and requested administrative action. At that time, the Bundang Police Station, which has jurisdiction over Gian84's residence, confirmed, "Since the amendment of the Motor Vehicle Management Act, two-wheeled vehicles under 50cc are also required to be registered and insured," and after inquiry, confirmed that the motorcycle belonged to Gian84. They also investigated the purchase and failure to register the vehicle, and imposed a fine of 500,000 KRW under Article 84, Paragraph 2, Item 18 of the same law.