"Contact the cast member to apologize"
"Take special care to prevent recurrence"
The production team of MBC's current affairs and educational program came under fire for disrespectful remarks toward an elderly guest, and the program has issued an apology.
On the 2nd, the production team of MBC's 'OneulN' announced on their homepage bulletin board, "There were many viewer opinions that some of the responsible PD's remarks were inappropriate," adding, "We immediately contacted the guest to apologize and promptly edited the relevant footage." They also promised, "We will take special care to prevent such incidents from recurring, both on set and during post-production," and deleted the video-on-demand (VOD) of the broadcast in question.
The production team of MBC's current affairs and educational program 'OneulN' came under scrutiny for making rude remarks to an elderly guest who appeared on the segment 'Isn't It Good?' MBC 'OneulN'
The 'OneulN' segment 'Jochi Anihanga' aired on the 1st introduced the story of an elderly man living in a remote mountain village in Pohang-si, Gyeongbuk, where he built three houses. The production team, referred to as the 'city PD,' asked the 69-year-old gentleman somewhat rude questions such as, "By the way, are you really good at chopping firewood like this?" and "You live in the countryside, but did you get eyebrow tattoos?"
When the elderly man showed the houses he built himself and guided them through the ocher room and music room, the PD asked, "You must have some money. Do you have a lot of money?" In response to the elderly man's comment, "I don't sleep in the room. I light a fire in the ocher room to sleep because it's warm and good for health. Don't many people go for ocher therapy?" the PD replied, "I don't go often. I'm not yet at the age to enjoy the ocher room."
When the elderly man offered to give some oyster mushrooms he grew himself, saying, "You can't see these in Seoul, right? I'll pack some when you go to Seoul," the PD responded, "They're all available at Seoul supermarkets. What's different?" Then, when the elderly man said, "Since you came from Seoul, I want to prepare a delicious chicken for you," and grilled a chicken over charcoal, the PD snapped, "That chicken only likes fried chicken. It only likes fried ones."
After the broadcast, the 'OneulN' viewer bulletin board was flooded with complaints criticizing the production team's attitude. Viewers expressed reactions such as, "I felt uncomfortable watching the disrespectful tone toward the elderly," "If you don't want to work, just quit," and "Make sure to apologize properly." Posts demanding the replacement of the PD and stating that complaints were filed with the Broadcast Review Board also appeared. As the controversy grew, MBC suspended the replay of the broadcast in question.
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