‘Friends’ Kim Hyun-woo appeared / Photo = Channel A broadcast screen capture
Even if it caused social controversy, the door of a broadcaster would be wide open if it had only topicality. The’problematic generosity’, which is the foundation for returning to those with criminal records, rose to the cutting board again.
The public’s interest in the channel A entertainment program’Friends’ is explosive. It was because it was a program in which the cast members of’Heart Signal’, who finished until season 3 due to popularity and established itself as the representative work of Channel A, reappeared.
‘Heart Signal’ gained hot popularity with the concept of guessing the so-called love line, the change in the relationship between men and women who are non-celebrities staying in one place for a certain period of time. In particular, in’Heart Signal’, the charm of each cast member played a major role in the success of the program due to the nature of dating reality. Accordingly, even after the end of the show, the cast members boasted their strong influence as influencers based on their thick fan base.
Fans’ support is pouring out on’Friends’ as well. However, it has become a situation where only hospitality cannot be received. It is because Kim Hyun-woo, a performer of’Heart Signal 2’appeared. Kim Hyun-woo is a character who has been at the center of the topic every time in’Heart Signal 2′, forming love lines with Oh Young-ju and Lim Hyun-ju with a warm appearance and a unique atmosphere. However, before the last broadcast, the fact that drunk driving was caught was disappointing. What was even more shocking was that his drunk driving history reached 3 times.
According to the released trailer, Kim Hyun-woo is expected to appear in’Friends’ in earnest starting next week. ‘Friends’ maximized his mystical image because it was Kim Hyun-woo, who was unable to contact the cast of’Heart Signal 2’and had no broadcasting activities after the end of the show. The cast members, MCs, and panels all showed excitement at the announcement of Kim Hyun-woo’s appearance. He, who was remembered as a drunk driving strikeout, quickly became an expectation of’Friends’.
“Where did Kim Hyun-woo do it?”, “How do you make that mood”, “It’s cool to put on your glasses”, “It’s attractive at once”, “You’ve upgraded your beauty in the meantime”
If the crew’s intention is to’attract attention’, it seems to have succeeded to some extent. Online is bustling with Kim Hyun-woo’s appearance. Netizens are pouring praise on Kim Hyun-woo’s appearance and mood, revealing their anticipation for the next broadcast. This is a very harmful strategy of’Friends’.
On the other hand, it is not easy to point out that both the production crew who invited Kim Hyun-woo, who had drunk driving three times and appeared in the program, and Kim Hyun-woo, who decided to appear, are both frivolous. It is necessary to take this point sensitively.
‘2020 Drunken Driving ZERO Campaign’ held at the Western Driver’s License Examination Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul /Photo = Yonhap News
As the importance of strengthening the punishment for drunk driving emerged, the 1st Yun Changho Act and the 2nd Yun Changho Act were enforced twice in December 2018 and June 2019. Nevertheless, drunk driving accidents are constantly being pointed out as a serious social problem. Many people were resentful about the death of the Mercedes-Benz drunk driving in Eulwang-ri, and the Cheong Wa Dae public petition continued to point out the punishment of the drunk driving bat.
Amid increasing awareness about drunk driving, some point out that the broadcaster’s time is flowing backwards. It seems difficult to avoid criticism in that it can blur the social atmosphere that changes positively before the greed to pursue the topic forcibly.
This is not the first time a broadcaster’s behavior is generous to those who have caused social controversy. In January of last year, a controversy arose when Gill appeared on channel A’Icon Tact’, a singer from Lee Ssang. Gil also was in a state of self-sufficiency after three drunk driving. Shin Jung-hwan, who was upset with the overseas expedition gambling and dengue lie controversy, appeared on Mnet’Project S: Devil’s Talent Donation’ in 2017 and JTBC’s’Knowing Brother’ in 2018, and is currently active on YouTube. In addition, Park Yoo-cheon also shed tears by appearing on Channel A’s’I heard it through rumors’ after causing controversy with’drug medication’.
As in the case of Shin Jung-hwan, YouTube is also easily used as a return window. However, the public’s resentment is great. According to the report on’YouTube users’ perception of YouTubers’ released by the Korea Press Foundation, 73.4% of celebrities, politicians, and other celebrities who have caused social controversy are working as YouTubers as a result of a survey of 1,000 users. Looked negative.
45.8% of the respondents answered’regulation is difficult, but it is not appropriate for such people to act as YouTubers’, and 27.6% answered that’there should be regulation so that such people cannot act as YouTubers’. It can be seen that the majority of people watch not only broadcasting but also YouTube activities inappropriately.
If so, is there a way not to see ex and celebrities on the air? This is not possible under the current broadcasting law. Each broadcaster may suspend appearances for a certain period of time through internal regulations and deliberations, but there is no provision for compulsory prohibition of celebrities from appearing on TV.
In 2019, an amendment to the Broadcasting Act was proposed, prohibiting celebrities with criminal records from appearing on broadcasts. This was due to the fact that it was pointed out that criminals should be banned from appearing on broadcast in consideration of the social influence of broadcasting. This included a ban on appearing on broadcasts for persons who have been sentenced to more than a safe for crimes such as drugs, sex crimes, drunk driving and gambling. However, after disagreeing opinions, the bill was eventually scrapped with the end of the term of office in the National Assembly.
If the law regulates the appearance of former and entertainers on broadcasts, this could also lead to a problem that infringes on the territory of broadcasters. If so, what is important now is the broadcaster’s ability to shift awareness and self-cleaning. The social awareness of drunk driving has grown even higher than in the past. This is why we should not ignore viewers’ comments. It is necessary to recall the influence of broadcasting on the public rather than stimulus. It’s time to pay attention not to hurt the awareness of the increased viewers.
Kim Soo-young, Hankyung.com reporter [email protected]
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