"Stop the Martial Law News"… Controversy Over 'Gangcheolbudae W' Cast Member's SNS Post

'Steel Troops W' Some Cast Members' SNS Remarks
"Stop the News Alerts Already"
Netizens: "Is the Broadcast More Important Than Martial Law?"

A contestant on Channel A's 'Steel Troops W' was seen ignoring the news of the martial law declaration. Online community

On the night of the 3rd, President Yoon Seok-yeol suddenly declared martial law, causing confusion in Korean society, while cast members of Channel A's entertainment program 'Steel Troops W' came under scrutiny for posting inappropriate content.

On the 3rd, some cast members of 'Steel Troops W' posted messages on their social media accounts expressing rejection of the news special about the martial law declaration, sparking controversy. The 10th episode of 'Steel Troops W,' which was airing from 10 p.m. that day, was interrupted due to President Yoon's emergency national address. At that time, the program was showing the elimination of the 707 Special Mission Unit, and simultaneously, President Yoon declared martial law, stating it was to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the free constitutional order." The broadcast did not resume, and the news special continued, preventing the 'Steel Troops W' finals from being aired.

In response, one Special Forces cast member posted a photo of watching the live broadcast on TV with the caption, "Special Forces unity camping. Fighting. Let's go for the championship. Please stop the news alerts." Another cast member posted a message covering the news special, saying, "707, you really worked hard and you are the best. Well done. Thank you for doing your best, and I still have no regrets." Additionally, a Special Mission Unit cast member who appeared as a special MC posted a clip of their appearance with the phrase "The best choice the day before the exam." In that scene, a news alert about "administrative paralysis due to impeachment attempt, martial law declared" was playing, but he appeared indifferent.

A contestant on Channel A's 'Steel Troops W' was seen ignoring the news of the martial law declaration. Online community

As the 'Steel Troops W' cast members showed a casual attitude toward the martial law declaration news, netizens criticized them with comments such as "The people are burning inside, but they look so comfortable," "I will no longer watch this program," "They really seem empty-headed," and "Is the broadcast more important than martial law?"

Meanwhile, 'Steel Troops W' is a military survival program where elite female reservists form teams and fight for the honor of their original units. The program's producers have stated that the unaired latter part of episode 10 "is scheduled to be broadcast next week."