After 3 Years of the 'Jeongin Controversy,' Kim Saerom Speaks Out: "It Was Completely Opposite to My Intention"

"Explanation: 'The Situation Was Completely Opposite to the Intention'"

"I was doing a live broadcast, so I didn't know what topic was being covered on other programs at the same time."

Broadcaster Kim Saerom, who sparked controversy by saying that the SBS current affairs program covering the ‘Jeongin case’ airing simultaneously during a home shopping live broadcast was "not important," spoke about the situation for the first time in three years.

Broadcaster Kim Saerom mentioning the controversial remarks that arose in connection with the 2021 Jung In case.
[Photo by YouTube 'SaeromGochim' capture]

According to Kim’s YouTube channel ‘Saeromgochim’ on the 29th, she said on the 27th while discussing stress management methods, "At the same time as our (home shopping) broadcast, a famous current affairs program was airing on another network," adding, "It was a topic that stirred public outrage nationwide."

Previously, on January 23, 2021, while hosting a home shopping live broadcast, Kim was criticized for saying, regarding the SBS current affairs program ‘Unanswered Questions’ episode titled ‘Jeongin, I’m Sorry, and the Path Our Anger Must Take’ airing at the same time, "Is ‘Unanswered Questions’ over? That’s not important right now."

At the time, her remark was seen as trivializing the ‘Jeongin case,’ in which a 16-month-old infant died due to abuse by adoptive parents, causing controversy. Criticism poured in mainly from mom cafes and other online communities, and Kim apologized the next day on Instagram, saying, "I will reflect on my thoughtless actions while carefully considering the criticisms and comments one by one." The home shopping channel also issued an apology in the name of its representative and temporarily suspended the program, showing the significant impact of the incident.

On YouTube, Kim said, "At that time, a famous current affairs program was airing on another network at the same time as our home shopping broadcast," adding, "It was a topic that stirred public outrage nationwide." She continued, "I was doing a live broadcast, so I didn’t know what topic was being covered," and explained, "In home shopping, it’s important to attract viewers who change channels right after a popular program ends."

Broadcaster Kim Saerom.
[Photo by YouTube 'SaeromGochim' capture]

She went on, "Coincidentally, the home shopping PD said, ‘The neighboring broadcast has ended,’ so I naturally explained the product saying, ‘It’s over? That’s not important right now. Everyone, look at this,’" adding, "But someone who was outraged after watching that program posted on a community, ‘Kim Saerom says that case is not important,’ or something like that."

Kim emphasized, "I was really shocked because people were insulting me live in the comments," adding, "I was so scared that I couldn’t get out of the car. I didn’t know what to do, and tears kept coming because this was an unintended situation, completely opposite to my intention." She added, "It’s scary when even one person insults and gets angry at me, but when suddenly the whole world is directing insults at me, it’s really frightening."

Some pointed out that the criticism was excessive. At the time, one netizen criticized, "The anger should be directed at the police and others who failed to handle the case properly, but finding an easy target to vent anger on doesn’t help solve the problem." Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, also pointed out on Facebook, "It may have been a mistake for the host to mention another broadcast without confirming the content," but added, "However, she apologized immediately, and since it was clearly unintentional, the witch hunt and taking away her job are excessive."