"Kim Sang-joong Should Also Feel Ashamed" Fierce Backlash from The Penthouse Episode 50

After Covering Idol Group, "Biased Broadcasting" Criticized
Complaints to Korea Communications Standards Commission Surge... 175 Cases as of 21st
Entertainment Industry Groups Also Issue Statements Demanding "Fair Reporting"

SBS investigative journalism program 'Unanswered Questions (Geu-al)' has become embroiled in fairness controversy following a broadcast covering the exclusive contract dispute involving the group Fifty Fifty.

More than 3,000 protest posts flooded the viewer bulletin board, and over 10,000 comments were posted on the related YouTube channel, prompting the production team to make the related video private.

The SBS investigative journalism program "Unanswered Questions" faced controversy over fairness following a broadcast covering the exclusive contract dispute involving the group Fifty Fifty.

On the 19th, Geu-al aired an episode titled 'Billboard and Girl Groups - Who Broke the Wings?' The broadcast examined the truth battles surrounding Fifty Fifty's exclusive contract dispute and highlighted structural issues within the K-pop idol industry.

The production team revealed interviews with Fifty Fifty's original agency Attract, The Givers, the outsourced music project company for Fifty Fifty, as well as the members of Fifty Fifty and their families.

Through this, the production team pointed out problems with both Attract and The Givers, acknowledged the members' sacrifices and efforts to grow as idols from a young age, and indirectly criticized the fact that South Korea's idol training system is not institutionally well-established.

At the end of the broadcast, handwritten letters sent by Fifty Fifty members to the Geu-al production team were introduced. In the letters, the members expressed, "It is true that we are exhausted and struggling because of rumors, but we are determined to endure steadfastly to repay those who support us."

Some netizens call for boycott and abolition of 'Geu-al' broadcast

As the controversy intensified, the production team of "Geu-al" made the preview video of the Fifty Fifty broadcast episode, which had been posted on their YouTube channel, private on the same day. However, rewatching the broadcast is still available on the SBS website.
[Photo by SBS "Geugeot-i Algo Sipda"]

After the broadcast, the SBS viewer bulletin board was flooded with protest posts. From immediately after the broadcast until late afternoon on the 21st, over 3,000 protest posts covered the Geu-al viewer board.

On the viewer board, posts certifying complaints filed with the Korea Communications Commission appeared alongside comments such as "None of the allegations against Fifty Fifty were raised," and "Kim Sang-joong should be ashamed." Some netizens even called for boycotting and abolishing the program. Many posts demanded a correction broadcast and a sincere apology from the production team.

On the viewer bulletin board, posts certifying the complaint submission to the Korea Communications Commission are being posted along with comments such as "Not a single suspicion about Fifty Fifty has been raised" and "Kim Sang-joong should feel ashamed." Some netizens are even calling for boycotts and cancellation. Many posts also demand a correction broadcast from the 'Geu-al' team and a sincere apology from the production staff.
[Photo source='Geugeot-i Algo Sipda' viewer bulletin board]

Some netizens criticized the production team for not covering key issues such as allegations of academic and career forgery against An Seong-il, CEO of The Givers, and the fact that the members individually applied for trademark rights for their Korean team name and stage names to pursue independent activities, accusing the broadcast of bias.

Geu-al deleted only the Fifty Fifty episode preview video posted on its YouTube channel without providing a detailed explanation. As the production team remained silent amid the controversy, even entertainment industry organizations appeared to support claims of "fair broadcasting," adding fuel to the bias broadcast controversy.

The Korea Entertainment Producers Association stated, "By reporting on the one-sided claims and emotional appeals of Fifty Fifty without verifying the accuracy of unconfirmed allegations, the broadcast seriously distorted the essence of the incident," and added, "The broadcast should enable viewers to view the essence of this situation with a fair and objective perspective."

Complaints related to the broadcast are also flooding the Korea Communications Standards Commission. The commission announced that as of the 21st, 175 viewer complaints had been received regarding the SBS 'Unanswered Questions - Billboard and Girl Groups: Who Broke the Wings?' episode covering the Fifty Fifty exclusive contract dispute.

Legal battle expected to prolong as both sides fail to reach agreement

Fifty Fifty filed a lawsuit against their agency last June for reasons including violation of the obligation to provide accurate settlement data due to omitted revenue items, violation of the duty to manage physical and mental health, and lack of human and material resources to support entertainment activities.
[Photo by Seodongmin, Asia Economy]

The legal battle is expected to prolong as Fifty Fifty and their agency Attract fail to reach an agreement.

According to legal sources, the law firm Barun, representing Fifty Fifty, submitted a statement of opinion to the Seoul Central District Court on the 16th. It is known that Fifty Fifty expressed their intention not to reach an agreement with the agency.

Earlier, on the 9th, the Civil Division 50 of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Presiding Judge Park Beom-seok, Judges Shin Dong-woong and Jo Jeong-yong) held a mediation hearing for the provisional injunction application filed by the four members of Fifty Fifty against Attract to suspend the exclusive contract's effect.

Mediation is a procedure conducted when the court deems it preferable for both parties to resolve conflicts through compromise rather than a judgment. If mediation is successful, it has the same effect as a final judgment.

At the first mediation hearing, both sides failed to find common ground. With the failure of mediation, the court is expected to either proceed with compulsory mediation under specific conditions or return to the trial process.

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