KBS Show Penalized For Mocking Obese And Bald Men

A KBS2 variety show is facing sanctions for comments mocking overweight and bald men.

On December 2, KST, the Korea Communications Standard Commission (KCSC) announced legal sanctions at a “caution” level to the variety show Boss in the Mirror for its July 2 episode. “Caution” is the fourth highest of the seven-tier system of KSCS’s disciplinary actions and is considered a heavy disciplinary action that can negatively impact a channel’s annual evaluation and license renewal process.

The episode in concern featured the CEO of a matchmaking agency. He evaluated the appearances of employees and introduced his firm’s membership requirements for male clients, including educational background and height. Some of the comments and captions during the episode showed low regard for men from specific backgrounds and even mentioned that the matchmaking agency had restrictive policies for men with severe hair loss issues.

Men with two or more of the following — less than a high school education, a height below 167 centimeters, and an annual salary under 40 million won — are less likely to be introduced to a potential match and therefore unable to join…Even if a man is tall, well-educated, and has a good job, severe hair loss makes it difficult to join.

— Some of the captions aired on Boss in the Mirror

The panelists in this specific episode also compared an overweight man to “North Korea’s leader” and mockingly mentioned that a bald person was “too shiny.” 

Kim Jung Soo, the KCSC Commissioner, stated that the show’s representation of men with certain conditions as inferior clearly constituted mockery. Commissioner Kang Kyung Pil also criticized the comments as inappropriate and called out the show for not editing them. KCSC chair Ryu Hee Rim spoke on the legal basis of the sanctions against KBS, explaining that ridicule based on educational background, physical appearance, and financial status is clearly prohibited in KCSC’s regulations, but the broadcaster failed to honor them and propagated prejudiced views instead.