"Only Chairs Are Visible, Not History"… Warning for tvN's 'Beolgeoneot Segesa'

"Chair advertisements unrelated to the program are permanently displayed"
"The production team seems to accept it as if there is no problem"

The Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) has decided to impose a legal sanction on tvN's 'Beolgeoneun Segyesa' for excessively repeating indirect advertising products.

Screenshot of the broadcast of 'Bare World History'.

On the 14th, the KCSC held a plenary meeting and decided to issue a legal sanction of 'warning' to tvN's 'Beolgeoneun Segyesa' (including the December 17, 2023 episode). The applicable clause is Article 47 (Indirect Advertising) of the Broadcasting Review Regulations. The levels of legal sanctions by the KCSC range from 'caution', 'warning', 'disciplinary action against related personnel', to 'program correction, modification, or suspension'.

Complaints were raised that the brand name of the recliner chair (an indirect advertising product) where the cast members sit was repeatedly exposed, disrupting the viewing flow. 'Beolgeoneun Segyesa' is broadcast in an indoor studio format where cast members listen to lectures. Except for the lecturer and lecture reference videos, the products on which the cast members sit are frequently shown.

Commissioner Kim Jeong-su pointed out, "It is as if chair advertisements unrelated to the program content are permanently displayed," adding, "It seems to be a chair specially made for advertising. The production team appears to accept it as if there is no problem at all, so I think it is necessary to raise awareness. This is excessive indirect advertising."

Commissioner Kim proposed a legal sanction of 'caution', but Commissioner Kang Kyung-pil raised the sanction level to 'warning'. Commissioner Kang said, "The same form of broadcast was aired despite being aware of the referral to the KCSC. The matter is not light, so I propose a legal sanction of 'warning'." Chairperson Ryu Hee-rim also expressed the same opinion, citing "insensitivity to indirect advertising," resulting in a 2 to 1 vote to impose the legal sanction of 'warning'.

Ryu Hee-rim, Chairman of the Korea Communications Standards Commission. Photo by Yonhap News

The broadcast episodes that received complaints were those aired on December 17, 2023, among others, but it is known that the same chair with the brand name was used even in the broadcast on the 15th. Chairperson Ryu Hee-rim also expressed the same opinion, citing "insensitivity to indirect advertising," leading to the decision of a 'warning'.

A tvN representative who appeared to present opinions stated, "We have considered the panel positions and logo placements so as not to disrupt the viewing flow," adding, "Although it is difficult to make immediate changes, we will find ways to adjust so that it does not cause problems."