MBC Faces Criticism Amid Controversies Surrounding Announcer Kim Dae-ho and Late Weathercaster Oh Yoo-anna

MBC is under intense scrutiny following the resignation announcement of announcer Kim Dae-ho and the workplace bullying allegations surrounding the late weathercaster Oh Yoo-anna. On January 31, during the broadcast of MBC's Single's Inferno (나 혼자 산다), Kim Dae-ho declared his transition to freelance work. Prior to the show, rumors about his resignation had circulated, but MBC had only stated that they were 'looking into it.' During the episode, Kim confirmed, 'I told the company I would resign,' adding, 'I have thought a lot about this. It’s not just a decision; I have already communicated it.'

He expressed, 'I worked hard without regrets during my time at the company,' and shared that as he approaches his forties, he feels that change is necessary now or never. He became emotional while discussing his reasons for leaving. After the broadcast, MBC acknowledged that they were in discussions regarding his resignation but could not confirm specific details about his departure date. Viewers have largely supported Kim Dae-ho, citing unfair treatment from MBC.

Kim Dae-ho joined MBC as part of the 30th announcer recruitment in 2011 and has since appeared in various news, cultural, and entertainment programs. He gained popularity through his participation in MBC's vlogger content 'News An Hani' and later became a member of the cast for Single's Inferno, solidifying his status in the entertainment industry. He also appeared in shows like Radio Star (라디오스타), Home Alone (구해줘! 홈즈), and King of Mask Singer (복면가왕), winning the Rookie of the Year award at the 2023 MBC Entertainment Awards.

In the past year, he has been a regular on several shows, including Single's Inferno and Home Alone, and successfully led the badminton coverage for the 2024 Paris Olympics, achieving high ratings. His hard work earned him nominations for both the Best Award and the Entertainer of the Year at the 2024 MBC Entertainment Awards.

Despite his achievements, Kim Dae-ho has faced burnout, revealing on air that his appearance fee was only around 40,000 to 50,000 KRW per episode. Over the past two years, he has participated in nearly 15 programs, and had he been a regular entertainer rather than an announcer, he might have earned significantly more. However, with a grueling schedule allowing him only about two days off a month, the benefits have primarily accrued to MBC. He even voiced his frustrations on Radio Star, stating he had complained about being overwhelmed with work. Although he received offers for 15 advertisements, he turned them all down.

The situation is further complicated by the ongoing controversy surrounding the late Oh Yoo-anna, who passed away at the age of 28 in December 2022. Reports surfaced that a 17-page suicide note was found on her phone, in which she alleged workplace bullying from two fellow weathercasters. Oh Yoo-anna, who became a freelancer at MBC in May 2021, reportedly faced harassment starting in March 2022. Allegations include being blamed for a colleague's misinformation and being criticized for correcting incorrect weather data.

Despite her attempts to report the bullying to MBC officials, claims have emerged that the company failed to take appropriate action. Following the public outcry, MBC issued a statement denying that Oh Yoo-anna had formally reported her grievances, asserting that they take workplace bullying seriously and would have investigated had they received a formal complaint.

In light of Kim Dae-ho's resignation, discussions about the alleged mistreatment of employees at MBC have resurfaced, intensifying criticism of the network. The public is now watching closely to see if MBC can restore its credibility with viewers.