tvN's 'Yeoreumbanghak' Apologizes for Japanese-Style Controversy "Sorry for Lack of Careful Consideration... Set to Reorganize Filming Site"

Photo by tvN entertainment program 'Yeoreumbanghak' broadcast screen capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Hee-eun Park] The production team of tvN's new variety show 'Summer Vacation' has issued an official statement regarding the controversies that arose after the first broadcast, including the 'pro-Japanese style remodeling controversy' and the 'Japanese game plagiarism controversy.'

In the first episode aired on the 17th, a house in Goseong, Gangwon Province was introduced. This was the space where actors Jung Yu-mi and Choi Woo-shik began their 'one-month living' experience.

However, controversy arose over the roof and gate shape of the house shown on the broadcast, as well as the Japanese-style props inside, which were said to evoke the atmosphere of a 'Jeoksan House.' A 'Jeoksan House' refers to property left behind by the Japanese after their withdrawal from the Korean Peninsula following their defeat in World War II. Opinions among viewers were divided, with some expressing discomfort over the Japanese-style house and others considering the reaction excessive due to the intensified Korea-Japan conflict.

In response, on the 19th, the 'Summer Vacation' production team apologized through the program's official Instagram, stating, "We apologize to those who felt uncomfortable watching the show."

The production team explained the filming location, saying, "Before filming 'Summer Vacation,' we searched for a beautiful village suitable for living for a month and found the oldest house in that neighborhood. It had an attic and three yards, which we thought was suitable for showing various aspects of the cast."

Regarding the controversy over remodeling the guesthouse into a Japanese-style house, they stated, "Since it was an old house built in the 1950s, during the preparation process, we only carried out construction to organize the roof color and exterior based on the original house."

They added, "With three yards outside, we thought it met the conditions fitting the concept of a home-cation reality show reflecting the current reality where people spend more time at home."

They also said, "We did not consider the house or interior space to be that important, so we did not worry much, and we apologize for not carefully considering the discomfort viewers might feel during this process. We also apologize for causing concern to the elderly homeowners who allowed us to film."

Continuing, the production team said, "We humbly accept the opinions given by viewers and are currently reworking the house, including doors and window frames, to minimize discomfort before the second filming. We will strive to show a better version in the future."

Regarding the criticism that the show resembles the Japanese Sony PlayStation game 'My Summer Vacation,' they stated, "We were not aware of the game and did not refer to it at all."

Meanwhile, 'Summer Vacation' is an 'adult home-cation reality' program where actors Jung Yu-mi and Choi Woo-shik enjoy a travel-like daily life in an unfamiliar place, seeking balance for their tired bodies and minds.

Below is the full text of the message left by the 'Summer Vacation' production team on their official SNS

Hello, this is the 'Summer Vacation' production team. First, we apologize to those who felt uncomfortable watching the show.

We would like to explain the filming location. Before filming 'Summer Vacation,' we searched for a beautiful village suitable for living for a month and found the oldest house in that neighborhood. It had an attic and three yards, which we thought was suitable for showing various aspects of the cast.

Since it was an old house built in the 1950s, during the preparation process, we only carried out construction to organize the roof color and exterior based on the original house. With three yards outside, we thought it met the conditions fitting the concept of a home-cation reality show reflecting the current reality where people spend more time at home. We did not consider the house or interior space to be that important, so we did not worry much, and we apologize for not carefully considering the discomfort viewers might feel during this process. We also apologize for causing concern to the elderly homeowners who allowed us to film.

We humbly accept the opinions given by viewers and are currently reworking the house, including doors and window frames, to minimize discomfort before the second filming. We will strive to show a better version in the future.

Lastly, regarding the opinion that the show resembles a certain game, we were not aware of the game and did not refer to it at all.

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