"'Jungding Mom' and 'Kkondae Husband' Too"…Is the Provocative 'Goding Eomppa' Really Okay Like This?

Viewer Fatigue from Provocative Stories Like Marital Fights
"Children's Rights Must Also Be Considered When Family Matters Are Broadcast"

On the 30th, the MBN and K-STAR variety show 'Goding Umppa 2' featured a couple with a 13-year age difference. Photo by broadcast capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] The entertainment program 'Goding Eomppa,' which highlights teenage parents, has become the center of controversy. The program has drawn criticism from viewers as it repeatedly aired provocative scenes featuring couples exchanging insults and shouting. There are also concerns about 'child rights violations' due to the unfiltered broadcast of the participants' children.

In the episode of 'Goding Eomppa 2' aired on the 30th, the daily life of Ms. A, who became a mother at 19, her husband who is 13 years older, and their two daughters was revealed. After the death of her father, Ms. A, who preferred mature partners, met her current husband at her part-time job and became pregnant before marriage. Despite opposition from their families, the couple got married.

Viewers expressed anger over the fact that a minor and an adult met, married, and had children. It was pointed out that it was inappropriate for an adult to be involved with a minor who should be legally protected. At the time they met, Ms. A was 18 years old, and the couple became lovers due to the husband's persistent courtship. Panelists on the show also stated, "Minors and adults should not be together." Ms. A revealed on the program, "Because of the age difference, I received a lot of criticism. I was even told things like 'What kind of older man meets a child? This is a sex crime,' and people around me gave me harsh looks."

Additionally, the husband's attitude toward his wife sparked controversy. He left all household chores and childcare to Ms. A while speaking harshly to her. He bought a fan instead of an air conditioner because of the cost and then forced his wife to assemble the fan and prepare meals. Later, he went alone to clean the car and rested comfortably under the air conditioner. At the dining table, he scolded his wife for not having soup and ordered her to bring ice water.

On the 16th, the MBN and K-STAR variety show 'Goding Eomppa 2' featured a cast member who had their first child in the 2nd year of middle school. Photo by broadcast capture

This is not the first time that stories covered by Goding Eomppa have been under scrutiny. Originally, the program was produced with the intention of erasing social prejudices against teenage parents and encouraging them to grow as respectable members of society, but each episode aired provocative stories, causing public uproar.

The story of 'Jungding Eomma,' released on the 16th, also sparked controversy. Ms. B, who became pregnant with her first child in the second year of middle school, was unaware of her second pregnancy and ended up giving birth in the bathroom. Now a mother of two, Ms. B met her current husband, registered their marriage, and started a family. The couple, raising four children, frequently quarreled over trivial matters, exchanging shouting and insults.

Due to repeated controversies, public fatigue toward the program has increased. Many posts demanding the cancellation of the program have been uploaded on the program’s viewer bulletin board. One viewer posted on the 30th, "I cannot understand the purpose of this program at all. It does not provide socially positive messages, so I don’t understand why it is deliberately displayed on TV." They added, "If the program dealt with the issue of teenage pregnancy very seriously and raised awareness, I would support its broadcast, but this program is only provocative."

The rights of the participants' children were also mentioned. Another viewer posted on the 24th, "If parents consent, should children be publicly broadcast and bear the burden of their parents' flaws? Regardless of the program’s ratings, I feel sorry for the child. When airing such programs, at least consider how this broadcast will affect the child’s image at school or among friends before airing it." There are concerns about the personal information of young children being fully exposed in broadcasts that reveal family matters.

Meanwhile, according to Nielsen Korea, the 13th episode of Goding Eomppa aired that day recorded a nationwide paid household rating of 1.662%. This was a slight decrease compared to the previous week’s broadcast (2.03%).

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