Chance for Juvenile Offenders? Isn't It Glorification?... 'Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables' Stirring Controversy

Controversy Over 'Sonyeonbeom' Appearance, Launch of 'Les Mis?rables'

The production team of 'Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables' revealed the planning intent amid controversy over 'glorifying juvenile offenders.' Provided by ENA 'Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables'

Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, has attracted attention by revealing the planning intent behind his new variety show "Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables," which has been embroiled in controversy for allegedly "glorifying juvenile offenders."

ENA's new variety show "Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables" sparked controversy even before its airing when it was revealed that one of the participants is a juvenile offender who received a "No. 9 disposition." Juvenile offenders are given dispositions ranging from No. 1 to No. 10 depending on the severity of their crimes, with No. 9 being the second most severe punishment. This involves being sent to a juvenile detention center for up to six months. It is known that a No. 9 disposition is considered when a juvenile reoffends despite having previously received a No. 6 or No. 8 disposition, or commits a serious offense regardless of family protection. Netizens have criticized this, saying that a No. 9 disposition indicates a violent crime rather than a minor offense.

Netizens especially raised concerns that since the program aims to introduce the challengers' stories and show their growth, focusing on the challengers' perspectives might "glorify criminals." Along with this, comments such as "It causes pain to the victims," "Is there anyone who wouldn't feel sorry after hearing their stories?" and "What crime did the victims commit?" were continuously made.

Baek Jong-won seemed aware of these controversies, saying, "Producer Han Kyung-hoon brought the project proposal around last fall," and "I said, 'I can't do this.'" He added, "'Les Mis?rables' is not a typical survival show but related to startups and should be conducted with people facing environmental challenges." He mentioned that as the program gains attention, various issues, including those involving ordinary people, may arise. He also addressed potential controversies about the participants. He continued, "What I have valued most while doing programs is sincerity," and said, "To see the sincerity of startups, a long time is needed. I am close with a producer who said, 'How much time do you think this will take? At least six months even if you can't catch it,' which sounds unreasonable, but eventually, they prepared for it," urging viewers to focus on the sincerity of the participants.

He also shared his own experience, saying, "I went bankrupt during the IMF crisis," and "Back then, I was the only one I could trust, but I received a lot of help knowingly or unknowingly. There were people who gave me words of comfort or chances to cheer up. I told many challengers to do at least something that could help others, and because sincerity was involved, I still can't let go of the ties even after the program ends," explaining why he had to do the program.

Producer Han said about participant verification, "The primary verification was done beyond the standards of all programs," and "Those who did not meet social standards were all filtered out," adding that some participants came to the filming site but left again. He expressed confidence, saying, "We verified more than other programs," and "I can't say there are no disqualifications, but I can say these participants are people who give you a reason to think, 'Oh, that friend had such reasons.'"

Producer Han also revealed the planning intent, saying, "While talking with CEO Baek Jong-won about the younger generation, I once said, 'Perhaps our society is not harsh enough in giving failed youth a chance to get back up.' Starting from that conversation, CEO Baek Jong-won, Producer Park Kyung-sik, and I thought about creating content that could give opportunities to people who have experienced failure for various reasons, and the result is 'Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables,' which makes merchants."

The first episode of "Baek Jong-won's Les Mis?rables" is scheduled to air on the 30th at 8:30 PM, following the currently airing "My Child's Privacy."