[Translation of the Article]
The YouTube channel ‘Workman’, which is nearing 4 million subscribers, is under controversy for engaging in conversations with elementary school students living in Daechi-dong that appeared to rank them by wealth.
On the 27th of last month, a video was uploaded on the channel ‘Workman’, where Haewon, a member of the idol group ‘NMIXX’, participated in a one-day part-time job experience at a toast shop in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
On that day, Haewon asked the elementary school students who came to the shop, “Do you all live here (in Daechi-dong)?” When one student replied, “I live in Apgujeong,” Haewon followed up with, “Where in Apgujeong?” The student answered “Hyundai Apartment,” causing Haewon and a staff member behind her to exchange surprised glances. The Hyundai Apartments in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, are known as ‘high-priced’ residences, with a recent transaction for a unit (with an area of 198.41m²) reaching 9.4 billion won. Accompanying this conversation, a large caption reading “Daechi Kids Survey” appeared at the bottom of the screen.
The scene that sparked even more controversy came afterward. Haewon asked, “Is your father a doctor?” and when the student answered affirmatively, the production team encouraged the student, who had earlier mentioned not yet confessing to a crush, by saying, “Then you can just confess.” The issue was compounded by a caption reading “Alpha Male Confirmed Early” being inserted during this scene. The term ‘Alpha Male’ refers to the dominant individual in a group and is often used to describe a ‘leading male’ in relationships.
The implication given was that if one’s parent is a doctor, one can act assertively in romantic pursuits. Netizens criticized this portrayal, leaving comments like, “Careless remarks from adults create discriminatory terms like ‘bilgeo’ (poor people living in villas) and ‘elsa’ (public housing residents) among kids,” “Does being a doctor’s son living in Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments mean you must succeed in dating?” and “Instilling a sense of class distinction in children based on parental wealth is wrong.”
Some viewers responded by saying, “Conducting such personal surveys on children is disrespectful,” and “The class consciousness encouraged by adults will negatively affect children’s value formations.”
Reported by Hyojin Bae, TVReport (bhj@tvreport.co.kr) / Photo = ‘Workman’ Channel