The production team of KBS Joy's entertainment program 'Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller' attempted to recruit the family of a victim from the sinkhole accident in Gangdong District, leading to criticisms of a lack of empathy and hasty judgment. The recruitment has been confirmed, and the production team immediately apologized, but public opinion towards the team's lack of caution is cold.
On the 30th, the victim's younger sister, A, revealed the recruitment DM received from the program's production team through social media. The production team approached A, mentioning the accident-related reel content she posted, saying, "We cautiously suggest this recruitment," but A expressed her anger, asking, "Is this a sense of humor? Is it mockery?"
A stated, "Think about it from our perspective. Is this a situation where we can receive comfort on air? The approach of trying to turn the reality of the bereaved into content is simply outside the bounds of common sense," leaving a pointed remark. Her statement, "I've endured and endured, but this is too much," fully revealed her unpleasant feelings.
As the controversy spread, the production team acknowledged the truth of the recruitment, saying, "It was a hasty judgment. We sincerely apologize to the bereaved," bowing their heads. They added, "We will reinforce the recruitment process," but public sentiment remains frosty. It seems that this issue cannot be brushed off as a simple mistake; the wounds of the bereaved are too deep. There is little understanding of the production team's intentions in approaching a social tragedy under the format of 'consultation on worries.'
Even considering it an entertainment program, they cannot escape the criticism that they are merely focused on 'issue exploitation.' Ultimately, it ended with an apology, but this controversy raises again the question of 'how far is too far' in a production environment chasing ratings and topicality, especially when dealing with someone's pain.
Currently, the production team has put forth an apology and improvement measures, and attention is drawn to what kind of changes may occur.
[Photo] 'Ask Us Anything Fortune Teller'
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