'The Penthouse' Apologizes for Bias Controversy in Episode 50 of 'Geural'... "We Will Conduct Additional Investigation"

SBS "We Will Conduct Additional Investigations and Follow-up Broadcasts"
After the Broadcast, Viewers Criticize, "Start with a Proper Explanation"

The current affairs program "Unanswered Questions" (SBS), which became embroiled in controversy over biased broadcasting favoring the group Fifty Fifty in the exclusive contract dispute, finally issued an apology on the 24th, five days after the controversy began. The "Unanswered Questions" (hereinafter 'GUQ') production team announced plans for additional investigation and follow-up broadcasts.

The 'GUQ' production team released an official statement that day, saying, "The episode aired on August 19 titled 'Unanswered Questions: Billboard and Girl Groups' was produced to contemplate what is needed for sustainable K-pop through the so-called 'Fifty Fifty incident.'"

A scene from the current affairs program "Unanswered Questions" covering the Fifty Fifty group incident. [Photo source=SBS video capture]

They continued, "We clearly state that this program was not intended to take sides in the ongoing conflict of interests," and added, "We deeply apologize for hurting the feelings of many people working in the K-pop field and fans who love K-pop, contrary to the production team's intentions during the broadcast process."

They also stated, "We will seriously consider the comments and criticisms sent by organizations such as the 'Korea Management Federation' and the 'Korea Entertainment Producers Association.'"

The 'GUQ' team promised, "We will fill in the shortcomings through follow-up broadcasts based on additional investigations regarding some of the current controversial issues."

Earlier, in the episode aired on the 19th titled "Billboard and Girl Groups - Who Broke the Wings," the 'Unanswered Questions' production team investigated the agency Attract, The Givers led by producer An Seong-il who is suspected of poaching members, and the Fifty Fifty family. However, the program was criticized for failing to cover the various allegations in a multidimensional manner.

There were also criticisms that such reporting violated the "Broadcasting Review Regulations" amid ongoing legal disputes.

Moreover, regarding the broadcast content that CEO Jeon Hong-jun did not participate in the end-of-month evaluation, threw food sent by parents on the floor, and did not properly provide meals, rebuttals followed through subsequent reports.

Afterward, the 'GUQ' viewer board was flooded with nearly 4,000 protest posts within about three days after the broadcast on the 19th, demanding correction and apology for biased reporting. Some viewers even called for the dismissal of the production team and the abolition of 'Unanswered Questions.'

Major domestic entertainment industry organizations also immediately reacted. The Korea Management Federation (Hanmaeyeon) and the Korea Entertainment Producers Association (Yeonjehyeop) issued statements urging 'GUQ' to apologize and correct the broadcast.

On the 22nd, Hanmaeyeon stated, "The production team of the broadcast reported one-sided claims from the Fifty Fifty side, emotional appeals, and unverified disclosures without even confirming the accuracy of the facts unrelated to the core issues of the incident. This distorted perception of an ongoing legal dispute."

Subsequently, Hanmaeyeon demanded strong disciplinary action against the person responsible for the 'GUQ' program at SBS and requested sanctions from the Korea Communications Standards Commission against SBS.

The Korea Entertainment Producers Association also criticized on the same day, "Unsubstantiated subjective opinions of unspecified individuals and numerous anonymous reports can only be seen as a one-sided perspective by producers who lack understanding of the popular culture industry and broadcasting." They urged SBS and the 'Unanswered Questions' production team to issue an official apology and correction.

Meanwhile, Fifty Fifty attracted attention as a "miracle of small agencies" when their debut song "Cupid" entered the Billboard 'Hot 100,' even among small and medium-sized agencies. However, activities were suspended after members filed for a provisional injunction to suspend the exclusive contract against their agency Attract, citing unclear settlement issues.

Regarding this, on the 9th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 50 (Chief Judge Park Beom-seok) held mediation, but both sides failed to reach an agreement. On the 17th, an additional complaint was filed criminally accusing Attract CEO Jeon Hong-jin of breach of trust.

Attract is currently engaged in a legal battle with The Givers, who were commissioned for producing "Cupid" and other outsourced services, over the copyright of "Cupid" and the members' status.

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