"Is This Okay?" What Do You Think About Broadcaster 'No Mask'?

Viewer "Are Celebrities Affected by COVID-19?" Criticizes Ineffective Quarantine Rules
Broadcast Industry Also 'Frustrated'... Gwak Jeong-eun "Not a Privilege, But No Rights"
Expert "No Exceptions for COVID-19... Must Take Responsibility"

Photo by a certain general programming channel broadcast screen capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] "Are celebrities and staff affected by COVID-19?" , "It feels wrong to appear on broadcasts without masks."

As news of consecutive COVID-19 cases among broadcasters spreads, criticism and concerns about 'no-mask' filming sites continue. Recently, sports stars Kim Yo-han, Mo Tae-bum, Park Tae-hwan, Yoon Dong-sik, Lee Hyung-taek, and model and broadcaster Han Hye-jin tested positive for COVID-19.

Among them, Park Tae-hwan and Mo Tae-bum appeared on 'Bongsunga Academy' on July 13, where all top 6 participants were tested, and so far singers Jang Min-ho and Young Tak have tested positive. All other cast members and staff who had contact with the confirmed cases have been tested and are in self-quarantine.

According to government guidelines, 'broadcast production' is classified as essential public or corporate business activity and does not fall under 'private gatherings.' Therefore, it is exempt from the ban on gatherings of five or more people, and mask regulations also allow exceptions to remove masks only during filming.

In response, the broadcasting industry has made efforts such as filming without live audiences, but some point out that given the industry's nature?many people in confined spaces and cast members showing their faces?the 'limitations of broadcasting quarantine' were predictable.

In fact, at the beginning of broadcasts, only a statement such as "This broadcast was conducted in compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines during recording, including temperature checks, mask-wearing, hand sanitizer use, and maintaining visitor logs" appears, but scenes showing non-compliance with quarantine rules are easily found.

Given this situation, on January 15, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) stated, "Issues were pointed out where quarantine rules were not properly followed at some broadcasting production sites," and announced, "We have systematically organized the guidelines that were individually applied through communication with broadcasting companies and production-related associations to create comprehensive quarantine rules for a safe broadcasting production environment."

Through the guidelines announced that day, the CDSCH urged the broadcasting industry to avoid production types where many people gather, to wear masks and maintain distancing during production, and to minimize the number of production personnel and time during face-to-face contact.

The Korea Communications Commission prepared and distributed the 'COVID-19 Related Broadcasting Production Guidelines' and 'Broadcast Filming Site Quarantine Rules,' which apply from planning to production completion stages by program genre, to broadcasting production sites in January.

Chairman Han Sang-hyuk of the Korea Communications Commission visited the SBS Mokdong building in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the 18th to inspect COVID-19 quarantine measures following the elevation to social distancing level 4. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, a certain general programming channel broadcast from April 14 to June 29 showed about 90 contestants crowded in a waiting room without masks. The 70-member audience also cheered and applauded without masks, which was aired.

On April 30, a staff member participating in the recording tested positive for COVID-19, prompting testing of all personnel. Fortunately, no additional cases were found, but it was a dangerous situation that could have led to a cluster infection.

As controversies over the fairness of quarantine rules persist, netizens have strongly criticized no-mask cast members with comments like "Are celebrities exempt from COVID-19?", "We are prohibited from gathering in groups of five or more, but when we turn on the TV, there are easily more than five people gathered. It's frustrating," "Even if broadcasting cannot stop, shouldn't masks be worn?", and "If the problem is that mouths are not visible, transparent masks exist."

Fans watching their favorite celebrities appear on broadcasts are also anxious. Among fans, reactions include, "Broadcast staff wear masks, artists don't. How can this be in this situation?" and "They only install partitions but sit close together during broadcasts; it's strange that no one gets infected."

In response, writer and broadcaster Kwak Jung-eun (44) voiced calls for change on her Instagram with the hashtag 'Not because of privilege, but because there is no right.'

She said, "The reason most people on broadcasting sites do not wear masks is basically 'because it is still allowed.' Mask-wearing is exempted during filming according to current quarantine guidelines, and the industry's nature requires capturing the best possible image." She added, "If new principles are not urgently established, the number of confirmed cases will inevitably increase uncontrollably in the current production environment. I urge the quarantine authorities to make a swift decision."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The internal situation in the broadcasting industry is equally frustrating. Complaints arise that even government-recommended telecommuting is not being implemented. An industry insider who requested anonymity said, "The broadcasting industry has been very passive," describing the on-site atmosphere. He said, "Since the fourth wave, there has been some attention to telecommuting," but added, "Due to top-down telecommuting structures and the use of broadcasting equipment, which limits telecommuting, the situation for personnel remaining on-site has become even more difficult."

Experts emphasize that there should be no exceptions during the COVID-19 spread phase. Especially since broadcasting production environments expose many people, they urge responsibility.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "COVID-19 is occurring nationwide without exceptions, and many confirmed cases are appearing in the broadcasting industry," and suggested, "Quarantine guidelines should be strengthened. Moreover, since many citizens are interested and there is a public educational effect, the broadcasting industry should strictly follow rules and be cautious."

He added, "COVID-19 does not occur as an exception in the broadcasting industry," emphasizing, "Because the broadcasting industry affects the public more and draws more attention, it must have a greater sense of public responsibility."

Meanwhile, on the 18th, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters held at the Government Seoul Office, said, "Filming has been disrupted due to infections among some broadcast participants," and requested, "Fields with significant public impact should lead by example."

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