[Comprehensive] "Unni, you don't like me, right?" Controversy over derogatory remarks about Lee Su-jin and Na Kyung-won during MBC election broadcast

Controversy Over Misogynistic Remarks During Vote Counting Broadcast
Viewers Protest on MBC Website Bulletin Board

In the 21st general election, Lee Su-jin, the Democratic Party candidate (left), and Na Kyung-won, the United Future Party candidate (right), who ran in the Seoul Dongjak-eul district. Photo by MBC, captured from the election broadcast screen.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 15th, after the 21st general election ended and the vote-counting broadcasts by various networks began, an MBC host described the candidates Lee Su-jin of the Democratic Party and Na Kyung-won of the United Future Party in the Seoul Dongjak-eul district by saying, "Unni, you don't like me, right?" This remark has sparked criticism that it was a sexist comment. Viewers have been filing complaints through the MBC website bulletin board.

Seoul Dongjak-eul is a constituency where Democratic Party candidate Lee Su-jin and United Future Party candidate Na Kyung-won were engaged in a close race. According to exit polls by the three major broadcasters, Lee (expected vote share 54%) was leading Na (expected vote share 43.2%).

During the vote-counting broadcast, MBC reported on a district where "a battle more dramatic than a movie is unfolding," referring to the close contest between Lee and Na. In the process, they introduced it as a "female judge look-alike match" and added the phrase "Unni, you don't like me, right?"

The phrase "Unni, you don't like me, right?" originated from a past incident where actress Lee Tae-im and singer Ye-won had a dispute during an outdoor shoot. Both ceased broadcasting activities following that incident.

Photo by MBC Viewer Board Capture

Immediately after the remark, criticism arose on Twitter and other social media platforms, condemning it as a misogynistic comment that reduced the candidates' electoral competition to an emotional quarrel between women.

Additionally, about 300 complaints related to this issue have been posted on the MBC website bulletin board. One netizen expressed frustration, saying, "What era is this, and you still can't read the times?"

Other viewers also pointed out, "Apologize," and "You are belittling female candidates and making them look ridiculous during the vote-counting broadcast." One viewer raised their voice, stating, "This is clearly a misogynistic expression," and added, "Is there really nothing more to say about the general election candidates? What do the residents of Dongjak think about this?"

In response, MBC issued an apology through a broadcast around midnight on the 16th, stating, "Although it was not intentional, we apologize for causing misunderstanding due to insufficient attention to detail."

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