"Strange Times on Chefs' Wristwatches"... Suspicions Raised Over President Lee's Appearance on 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator'

"Broadcaster Accused of Deleting Comments"

As criticism continues over President Lee Jae-myung filming a JTBC variety show while the administrative system was paralyzed following the fire at the National Information Resources Service (NIRS), netizens have raised questions about the time displayed on the chef's wristwatch during the broadcast.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung appeared on the JTBC variety show Please Take Care of My Refrigerator. JTBC

In the highlight video of the "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" episode featuring President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, uploaded to the JTBC YouTube channel on October 6, numerous viewers have pointed out that the times on the chefs' wristwatches appear unusual.

Previously, Assemblyman Joo Jinwoo of the People Power Party continuously raised suspicions that the program was filmed on September 28, while restoration work was still ongoing at the NIRS following the fire. In response, the presidential office stated, "On the afternoon of the 28th, President Lee recorded the JTBC program 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' and then presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting at 5:30 p.m."

One netizen commented, "The filming time for Lee Jae-myung's 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator'! The cast's wristwatch times were captured-1:15 p.m. in the early part of filming and 4:10 p.m. in the later part of the broadcast." Other netizens also remarked, "The chef's wristwatch doesn't lie," "If the wristwatch shows 4 o'clock, but the meeting was at 5:30 p.m., how does that add up?" and "Did they finish filming in an hour and a half, move, and then attend the meeting?"

Netizens raised questions about the time displayed on the wristwatch worn by the chef during the broadcast scene of "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator." JTBC

"Comments keep disappearing"... Broadcaster faces controversy over comment deletion

Meanwhile, suspicions have also been raised that the broadcaster has been deleting posted comments. However, some argue that the deletions may have been carried out automatically by an AI-based filter.

One viewer wrote, "I received 2,200 likes on a comment expressing condolences for the public official who took their own life after the fire, but now it has been deleted." Another comment read, "I never deleted my own comments, but they keep disappearing."

Although some claim that the deletions were due to an AI-based filter, it is generally known that content containing profanity or violent language is deleted within about five minutes. Therefore, it remains unclear whether such filters were responsible for the deletion of the comments mentioned by netizens.