Comedian's Satire Sparks Controversy, Production Team Apologizes

Comedian Lee Su-ji's latest YouTube video, which satirizes the challenges faced by public officials, has drawn significant criticism and led to an apology from the production team. The video, titled 'Public Official Kim Ji-young's Iron Bowl Protection - Human Documentary Real Extreme Job,' features Lee portraying a rookie public servant.

The skit depicts Kim Ji-young, a 26-year-old official at an administrative welfare center, enduring various citizen complaints while maintaining a positive attitude. The complainants are shown making remarks such as "You're just wasting tax money," and "How much tax have I paid to this country?"

The controversy erupted when a complainant in the video shouted, "Re-election! Re-election!" and Kim Ji-young responded, "You can't do that here." Some viewers interpreted this scene as mocking the citizens who protested the ballot paper shortage during the June 3 local elections, which led to calls for re-elections in some areas.

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We sincerely apologize to everyone who felt discomfort and disappointment due to the video.

Comments flooded the video, with viewers accusing the skit of treating citizens demanding re-elections as "malicious complainants" and questioning the portrayal of their grievances. The video garnered over 10,000 comments and surpassed one million views.

In response, the production team for the YouTube channel 'Hot Issue Ji' edited out the controversial "re-election" scene. They also issued an apology on July 15, stating, "We sincerely apologize to everyone who felt discomfort and disappointment due to the video." The team emphasized that the video was not intended to convey any specific political stance or opinion. They acknowledged their "lack of judgment" in using a scene related to a sensitive social issue without sufficient consideration and pledged to produce content more responsibly in the future. The team also clarified that the content was unrelated to Lee Su-ji's personal political views.

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However, it was a lack of judgment on our part to use a scene related to a socially sensitive issue without sufficient consideration.