KBS2's variety show 'Ganeunjeong Oneunjeong Lee Min-jung' has come under fire for its unnecessary 'hidden camera' prank, which left viewers displeased. The show used a birthday celebration as an excuse to make the person uncomfortable while other cast members laughed and enjoyed themselves. Viewers have criticized the prank as excessive.
On the episode aired on the 1st, guest Young-tak appeared, and the cast played a hidden camera prank on Ahn Jae-hyun, who was celebrating his birthday. From the opening, the members pretended to forget Ahn's birthday, instead celebrating a staff member's birthday with a cake. Ahn, thinking the cake was for him, appeared flustered and embarrassed.
The prank escalated into a staged conflict. Lee Min-jung, despite losing a bet, tried to avoid a penalty by getting into a car, prompting Kim Jae-won to question, "Why did we bet then?" Lee, seemingly upset, responded, "Then I'll walk," while Ahn Jae-hyun awkwardly tried to diffuse the situation with laughter.
The tension between Lee Min-jung and Kim Jae-won continued back at the lodging. Despite Ahn's attempts to lighten the mood, Lee remarked, "Kim Jae-won seems a bit sensitive," and criticized him for his behavior in front of the guest. The situation escalated, leading Kim to storm out during dinner, and Boom even requested a halt to filming. Ahn, on the verge of tears, finally saw the surprise cake and cried tears of relief.
The audience's reaction to the episode was overwhelmingly negative. Viewers criticized the prank as "an outdated form of violence," pointing out that it was more about the cast's amusement than celebrating Ahn's birthday. Comments included, "It's not for the birthday person, it's for their fun," "Is a hidden camera funny?" and "Ruining someone's birthday with a prank is just wrong." One viewer remarked, "If it was staged, it was misguided; if it was real, it was worse. It's time to move away from outdated broadcasts that use emotional abuse for laughs."
The prank was particularly criticized for spanning from the opening to dinner, causing discomfort and stress throughout Ahn's birthday. Adding insult to injury, they even put excessive salt in Ahn's seaweed soup as a joke. Despite this, Ahn tried to comfort Kim by pretending to enjoy the salty soup, leaving viewers uncomfortable.
This incident contrasts with a recent episode of 'Unnies' Delivery Service 2,' where a surprise birthday party for Lee Jae-wook involved a heartfelt village feast and a touching performance, bringing him to tears. Similarly, Park Joon-myun's birthday was celebrated with a surprise meal, cake, and a sincere poem reading, moving her to tears.
The use of extreme situations to make the prank victim cry is an outdated approach. Last year, JTBC's 'Strongest Baseball' faced backlash for a hidden camera prank involving fake contract terminations. It's time for shows to focus on meaningful and touching content rather than outdated pranks.
Tae Yuna, TenAsia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr