Controversy has started to take over as regulation of online entertainment shows began in South Korea. We dive into one specific YouTube channel case that has fans and the local government asking for an apology!
Since I was mostly raised in the UK, I am used to watching regulated TV shows, especially shows on the BBC, unlike in Korea where many shows have gone unregulated until recently.
To get a better understanding, many complaints about offensive remarks on online variety shows have stirred up controversy over the relatively light regulation given to online-only content. This has been a problem worldwide in more recent times. however in Korea until now, it has mostly gone unnoticed.
Some people argue that while the freedom given to digital platforms helps enrich Korea's content landscape, there is also a need for new regulations to guard against the potentially damaging effects of some shows, which I agree with. I think there of course needs to be some regulation in place in order to make digital platforms, safe and open to everybody. I strongly disagree that not having any regulation in place makes Korea a more enriched place, and I find it more of an excuse from regulation bodies.
YouTube channel Psick Univ, featuring comedians Lee Yong Ju, Kim Min Su, and Jung Jae Hyung, recently caused controversy with comments about rural Korea. Having worked with local Korean Governments to try and put rural Korea back on the map, especially the tourist map, I can understand where these complaints have come from, as rural Korea is where most people began before making money through large corporations like LG and Samsung.
The channel, which had over 3.1 million subscribers, lost over 210,000 subscribers over three weeks after posting a video titled, "We Came to Yeongyang, the Smallest City in Gyeongsang Province" on May 11th this year.
In the video, the three comedians tour Yeongyang while frequently making negative comments about the place, describing a local river as "filled with manure," and locally made blueberry jelly as tasting like "a grandmother's flesh." Although I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions to publicly posting something so negative online will only lead to a negative backlash. I have learned that working in the public light, you should never really post your own opinions, especially political views.
The channel has posted a public apology "We deeply regret not having fully considered the negative impact it could have on the community." however critics and previous fans are claiming that the hosts were discriminating against people who were from these towns. What do you think?
For me, I think that if you are seen as a public figure you should not post strong opinions, which can influence others easily in a negative way, however, you should have the right to be creative and create content that people will enjoy and lead to your success. I also believe that regulating online platforms is a good thing and it should have been done a long time ago to make these sites welcoming and safe for everyone who uses them. Regulation is mostly for TV shows and commercials. For example, showing alcohol adverts or using swear words after 9 or 10 PM at night when children are likely to be asleep.
You can check out the channel at the center of this hot topic here:
Let us know in the comments below if you think regulation of entertainment shows should happen.
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