Controversial Remarks in Recent Korean Web Entertainment Spark Backlash
Recently, web entertainment shows released on YouTube have faced criticism for controversial remarks made by their hosts. On March 27, the YouTube channel ‘달라스튜디오’ premiered the first episode of the new season of ‘네고왕’ (Negotiation King), featuring new MC Kim Won-hoon, who made his debut by negotiating ice cream deals. During a street interview, he asked a couple, 'Isn't this a motel area?' and 'Did you both go home last night?' When the male participant replied that they had just come out, Kim followed up with, 'Where did you just come from?' while commenting on the man's lips, saying, 'There are marks...' This prompted backlash from viewers, with many calling his comments rude and inappropriate, labeling them as sexual harassment.
In response to the growing controversy, ‘네고왕’ issued an apology on April 3 via YouTube comments, stating, 'We sincerely apologize to citizens and subscribers who felt uncomfortable due to some inappropriate expressions during the first episode's street interview. We value your feedback and have edited the scene. We will approach production more carefully in the future.'
Prior to this incident, remarks made by ENHYPEN's Hee-won on ‘워크맨’ (Workman) and Lee Yong-jin on ‘용타로’ (Yongtaro) also drew criticism. In February, while working at a toast shop in Gangnam, Hee-won asked elementary school students if they lived in the area. When one student mentioned living in Apgujeong, Hee-won probed further, leading to an awkward exchange about the students' expensive jackets and their parents' professions. This led to accusations of inappropriate questioning from viewers, who felt it was wrong to label a student as an 'alpha male' based on their father's job.
Meanwhile, Lee Yong-jin faced backlash for using profanity while discussing low birth rates and changing marriage norms during an episode of ‘용타로’. His comments, made in front of girl group member Chaewon from LE SSERAFIM, were met with strong disapproval from viewers, who criticized him for being disrespectful. The production team subsequently deleted critical comments and edited out his remarks without further explanation.
As these incidents unfold, there is a growing sentiment among viewers that web entertainment should adhere to appropriate broadcasting standards similar to traditional television programs. The lack of specific guidelines for YouTube content has led to varied responses from production teams, highlighting the importance of responsible content creation to maintain audience trust and engagement.
