Gangbuk District Office Asked Candidates to "Dance to an Idol Song"
"Evaluation Related to YouTube Channel Activities"
"Sincere Apology to Candidates Who Felt Uncomfortable"
Gangbuk District Office apologized after conducting a screening process in the announcer recruitment interview that involved dancing to an idol group’s song, which sparked controversy over its appropriateness.
On the 17th, Gangbuk District Office posted an apology on its homepage, stating, "We sincerely apologize to the candidates who felt uncomfortable during this interview process," and added, "We will carefully improve the interview methods so that candidates can demonstrate their abilities in a fairer and more comfortable environment."
Earlier, CBS Nocut News reported that Gangbuk District Office held a screening process during the announcer and video media expert recruitment interview in February, where candidates were asked to dance to an idol group’s song, causing controversy.
The interview was conducted in the order of ▲self-introduction and motivation for application ▲on-site reporting ▲YouTube appearance and crisis response ability verification ▲individual questions. The third part, 'crisis response ability verification,' included a segment where candidates were asked to dance. Candidates were requested to dance to the song "Cheot Mannam-eun Gyehoegdaero Doiji Ana" ("The First Meeting Didn’t Go as Planned") by the idol group TWS (Tours). This segment was reportedly conducted in groups of 4 to 5 people. Afterwards, candidates criticized the process as "absurd" and "humiliating," saying it was largely unrelated to the job.
The district office explained, "This evaluation is related to the 'YouTube channel appearance' specified in the job announcement and is not unrelated to the job." This is because the announcer selected through this recruitment is expected to participate as the main content creator of the Gangbuk District Office’s YouTube channel, called 'Gurip Idol.' They also stated, "The judges politely told candidates each time, 'If you feel uncomfortable, you do not have to do it,' and no disadvantages were given to those who did not dance."
However, among applicants, there were responses such as, "The job announcement alone did not make it clear that we would be participating as the district office’s idol group on the YouTube channel."
As the controversy spread, the district office admitted, "We failed to fully consider the circumstances of all candidates," and apologized for "not providing more detailed notice." They added, "Even though we requested participation while respecting each individual’s will, we did not realize that it could be a significant burden for candidates who were unwilling or unprepared." They promised, "We will act with more caution and consideration in the future."
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