MBC Weathercaster Kim Ga-young Under Scrutiny Amid Bullying Allegations Linked to Late Colleague

MBC weathercaster Kim Ga-young has come under fire following allegations that she was part of a group chat that bullied the late Oh Yoo-an-na. This scrutiny has intensified after it was revealed that she recently appeared in a workplace bullying prevention training video. In the video, produced for a corporate training site, Kim Ga-young, alongside announcer Kim Hyun-wook and labor attorney Kim Moon-sun, discussed various aspects of workplace bullying, including definitions and relevant legal regulations.

Kim Hyun-wook remarked on the seriousness of workplace bullying, stating, "This issue is a significant societal problem, and I believe there are still many people suffering from it around us, as highlighted by media reports."

In response, Kim Ga-young questioned why, despite a growing awareness and caution regarding bullying behaviors, incidents have not decreased. Kim Moon-sun emphasized the need for continued efforts and greater awareness from both companies and individuals to effect real change.

Although the training material was released last year, it gained renewed attention following allegations that Oh Yoo-an-na, who tragically passed away at the age of 28 in September 2022, had been a victim of workplace bullying. Reports surfaced in December 2022 about a 17-page letter found on her phone, which detailed her experiences of bullying from two specific weathercasters.

Oh Yoo-an-na, who became a freelancer at MBC in May 2021, reportedly faced harassment starting in March 2022. Allegations include being falsely accused of errors and being criticized for correcting inaccurate weather information. Furthermore, there were claims that she was summoned to the office after hours under the pretext of needing guidance, and evidence of prolonged criticism through messages and voice notes was discovered.

As the situation unfolded, the names of the alleged bullies began circulating online, leading to a wave of negative comments on their social media accounts. Kim Ga-young, as a senior weathercaster, also faced backlash, with comments demanding explanations and labeling her as a bystander. A fellow YouTuber, who appeared with Kim Ga-young on the show 'Gol Dae-rin Geunyeodeul', defended her, stating that she was deeply affected by her inability to protect Oh Yoo-an-na.

However, claims that Kim Ga-young did not attend Oh Yoo-an-na's funeral and was part of the group chat where bullying occurred have shocked many. The bereaved family has accused her and another individual of being "true demons" who bullied Oh Yoo-an-na covertly, contrasting with the more overt bullying from others. This has led to further outrage, especially given her recent participation in a video aimed at preventing workplace bullying.

Despite the controversy, Kim Ga-young appeared on the 'MBC News Desk' on February 1, 2025. However, her social media accounts and the weather forecast segment on the 'Today Weather' channel have disabled comments amid the ongoing backlash.