[Official Statement] Ju Yeji, Controversy Over 'Welder Derogatory Remarks', Cancels Radio Appearance

"Grade 7 Should Learn Welding" Hand Welding Depicted
Netizens Say "Are You Disrespecting Welders?", "It's a Job-Demeaning Remark" in Outrage

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The radio recording featuring academy instructor Joo Ye-ji, who sparked controversy for derogatory remarks about technical workers such as welders, has been canceled. Previously, Joo Ye-ji made remarks implying that students who are not good at studying should learn welding, causing controversy over job disparagement while interacting with viewers on her YouTube channel. Although Joo Ye-ji explained herself in the broadcast, the controversy has not subsided.

SBS PowerFM's 'Bae Sung-jae's Ten' (hereafter Baeten) announced on the 14th to a media outlet, "Joo Ye-ji's participation has been canceled due to the controversy over derogatory remarks about welders."

On that day, math instructor Joo Ye-ji was scheduled to appear and record on 'Baeten.' However, due to the controversy surrounding Joo Ye-ji, the production team decided to cancel after discussion.

'Baek Seongjae's Ten' Instagram

Earlier on the 13th, during a live broadcast on her YouTube channel, when a viewer commented in the chat that "a grade 7 in the CSAT advanced math track is equivalent to a grade 1 in the basic math track," Joo Ye-ji responded, "No. Students in the advanced math track tend to seriously look down on those in the basic track, but a grade 7 in advanced math does not mean you get a grade 1 in basic math."

She continued, "To be honest, a grade 7 in advanced math means you didn't study, right?" and raised her voice, saying, "If you had tried, you would have gotten all the 3-point questions right, and then it wouldn't be a grade 7. Even if you get all the 3-point questions right, you usually get a grade 5 or 6, so a grade 7 means you missed the 3-point questions. It means you didn't try."

Juyeji is depicting the act of welding with her hand. Photo by Juyeji, YouTube capture.

Afterwards, Joo Ye-ji mimicked welding sounds by making a "jijing" noise with her hand pretending to weld. She then laughed and said, "(If you get a grade 7) you have to learn welding and go to Australia. They pay a lot."

Regarding these remarks, viewers questioned whether it was a derogatory comment about welders or certain job groups, to which Joo Ye-ji tried to cover by saying, "Everyone, I'm just talking nonsense because I'm hot right now."

However, these remarks have spread mainly through online communities, escalating the controversy over job disparagement. Netizens criticized, saying, "There is no distinction in jobs... but I guess she doesn't think so," "What's wrong with welding? But then again, what's wrong with a grade 7," and "Her character is not good."

Meanwhile, Joo Ye-ji's side stated, "Only parts of the video were pieced together and shared, amplifying the controversy. Later, through a live broadcast, she explained that it was not a job disparagement remark," adding, "We are currently discussing internal measures regarding future responses." The broadcast has since been deleted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.