Announcer Hyunju Lim Shares Her Beliefs: "No Kids Zones, What Kind of Nuisance Are We Causing?"

Shared a lengthy post on SNS after visiting a No Kids Zone
"Understanding No Kids Zones... but hoping for a different perspective"

MBC announcer Hyunju Lim has shared her thoughts on the issue of "No Kids Zones."

On June 1, she posted a lengthy message on her social networking service (SNS), saying, "I wrote down some thoughts I had at the end of yesterday, and since I received both agreement and differing opinions, I wanted to elaborate further." Lim explained, "I also understand the reasons why No Kids Zones have emerged, and I have become accustomed to them. However, yesterday, that reality felt particularly significant to me," referring to a post she made on SNS on May 31.

Hyunju Lim MBC Announcer [Image source=Captured from Hyunju Lim Instagram]

Previously, Lim shared her experience of visiting a No Kids Zone cafe with her child, writing, "When I actually go anywhere with my child these days, I often see more people smiling at us with sparkling eyes, saying, 'It's rare to see children.' Yet, I wonder why there are so many No Kids Zones. What kind of nuisance are we causing?"

Lim prefaced her remarks by saying, "I'm cautious because I know this could be seen as a selfish thought from a parent's perspective." She continued, "I understand the argument that No Kids Zones are an owner's freedom because children can be noisy, cry, or cause disturbances. There are also places with safety reasons." She added, "However, I wondered if we could consider it differently at least once. If such behaviors by children are simply labeled as 'nuisances' and these perceptions accumulate, children may unconsciously internalize the idea that it's okay for them to be excluded."

Lim stated, "Regardless of age, there are many such cases among adults as well, but by categorizing only children as 'No Kids,' aren't we excluding an entire group? Wouldn't it be absurd to see signs like 'No entry for men in their 30s,' 'No entry for women in their 20s,' or 'No seniors allowed'? Has our society become too accustomed to such statements only when it comes to children?"

She also expressed her gratitude by mentioning a recent experience in which she received help from a stranger while dining at a restaurant with her child. Lim emphasized, "As the old saying goes, it takes a community to raise a child. If such experiences accumulate for children, parents, and those who watch over them, I believe many aspects of how we view and treat children could change."

Lim began her career as an announcer at JTBC before joining MBC in 2013. She has drawn attention for challenging social conventions and expressing her beliefs, such as broadcasting without a bra for the "No Bra Challenge" and being the first female announcer at a terrestrial broadcaster to wear glasses while delivering the news. In past media interviews, she shared her philosophy, saying, "I believe that continuing to discuss topics that can resonate with people is an essential role for announcers in this era."