Controversy Erupts Over Inappropriate Remarks on MBC's 'Save Me! Holmes'

'You Know What?' Reporter Lee So-jung from TenAsia captures intriguing issues in the broadcasting world to stimulate the public's dopamine.

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Pang Hyun-sook has sparked controversy with her explicit remarks on MBC's 'Save Me! Holmes' (hereafter 'Holmes'). Her inappropriate comments directed at Kim Sook have particularly caused discomfort. The fact that these scenes were aired without editing has also led to criticism of the production team.

On the episode aired on the 3rd, guest Pang Hyun-sook, alongside her husband Choi Yang-rak, led the conversation by mentioning their daily kisses. However, her unfiltered comments quickly escalated in explicitness, leading to controversy.

When Yang Se-hyung asked, "Do you know the difference between a peck and a kiss?", Pang Hyun-sook specifically replied, "A kiss is when you suck on the tongue." The studio panelists were visibly shocked, but she continued, adding, "There's a time for tongue sucking in the morning," and "I did it today too." She further commented, "I was busy yesterday, so I did it for two minutes today," leaving those present in an awkward situation.

Pang Hyun-sook surprised the studio again by suddenly kissing Choi Yang-rak during a meal. Kim Sook, witnessing this, reacted with surprise, saying, "What, suddenly?"

The conversation continued with discussions about 'couples sharing a room or having separate rooms.' When Yang Se-hyung asked, "Which do you recommend in married life, sharing a room or separate rooms?", Pang Hyun-sook answered "separate rooms," explaining, "If you use your body too much, it wears out. Separate rooms prevent that." She added explicit comments about "breasts" and "men and women," which were partially censored with beeps and mosaics during the broadcast.

The problematic remarks didn't stop there. Pang Hyun-sook said, "If you use separate rooms, you don't use your bodies," and told the unmarried Kim Sook, "You must be clean because you don't use it." Kim Sook, hearing this, was visibly uncomfortable, and Yang Se-hyung awkwardly laughed to diffuse the situation. Although it was a recorded scene, the production team aired it without editing.

Kim Sook expressed her disbelief, saying, "Can this be aired?", and the studio panelists also showed awkward expressions or forced smiles. Pang Hyun-sook tried to pass it off as a joke, saying, "It's a compliment that it's well-preserved," but viewers reacted negatively, stating, "It wasn't received humorously at all."

The issue is that this scene was broadcast on a terrestrial variety show during a family-friendly evening time slot. Some viewers criticized MBC, saying, "It was embarrassing to watch with family," "Why wasn't it edited?", and "Pang Hyun-sook should read the times, but the production team is also responsible." Others questioned, "Where is the censorship that makes public broadcasting what it is?"

Some argue, "Remarks that might have been funny in the past are no longer acceptable as times have changed," and "Pang Hyun-sook, as an active entertainer, should be aware of the current sensibilities." The fact that Kim Sook's expression was not positive has led to further public opinion that "even if it's a joke, the listener didn't seem amused."

This controversy extends beyond Pang Hyun-sook's individual remarks to raise questions about the editing standards and broadcasting ethics of terrestrial variety shows. As terrestrial broadcasting is still a medium watched by many families, there is a growing call for both the level of remarks by participants and the editing standards of the production team to be reviewed in line with the times.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr