[OSEN=Park So-young] MBC’s ‘Today N’ is embroiled in a controversy over the production team’s attitude.
On January 1st and 2nd, the viewer bulletin board of ‘Today N’ was flooded with comments such as “The male PD from the rural mountain episode is rude and disrespectful,” “Please change the male PD from the rural mountain episode. I’m disappointed in MBC,” “How could the PD be so rude and disrespectful to the elderly man in the countryside house?”, “The PD should immediately apologize to the grandfather and the viewers,” and “We want the PD to be replaced.”
One netizen criticized, saying, “He may have thought he was joking and responded that way, but there was no empathy, and instead, his actions embarrassed the other person, making the start of the new year very unpleasant. I don’t think I want to watch any videos the PD films in the future.”
Another viewer expressed frustration, saying, “It’s even more surprising that no one realized it could be a problem until it aired. Please apologize to the grandfather, and MBC should take proper action. People of various ages watch, and it’s not good for kids or elderly people. Who would want to watch this? I’m really angry.”
The incident unfolded as follows: during the broadcast on the 1st, the PD visited a remote mountain area with a camera and met an elderly man who had built three houses there. The elderly man mentioned living in a loess house he had built himself, to which the PD responded, “I’m not yet at an age to appreciate loess houses.” When the protagonist displayed his drum playing, the PD suggested he should work in the field instead.
When the elderly man offered to give some oyster mushrooms he had grown himself, the PD coldly responded, “They’re all available in Seoul markets,” and when he offered to cook and serve a grilled chicken he’d raised himself, the PD replied, “I only like fried ones,” even remarking that the carefully grilled chicken looked burnt. These comments startled the viewers.
Viewers who watched the broadcast were decidedly upset, with the predominant reaction being discomfort at the PD’s behavior. This is why the viewer bulletin board is seeing a surge in critical comments. Not only is there criticism of the PD, but harsh words are also being directed at MBC for airing the segment as it was.
Meanwhile, ‘Today N’ is described on its homepage as “an entertaining and informative friend that rushes to any place with hot topics, not missing any of the world’s fun and news. It’s filled with heartwarming neighborhood stories and various information, delivering high-quality content as the top program.”