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YouTuber Kim Seon-tae Apologizes Again, Withdraws from Broadcast Amid TripleS Controversy
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

YouTuber Kim Seon-tae Apologizes Again, Withdraws from Broadcast Amid TripleS Controversy

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • YouTuber Kim Seon-tae apologized again for his controversial remarks about the girl group tripleS and decided to voluntarily withdraw from the broadcast.
  • Kim stated he lacked the ability to lead a solo MC role and had communication issues with the production team.
  • The controversy stemmed from Kim questioning tripleS member Yuan's use of the phrase 'museopno,' which had been previously labeled an 'Ilbe term' but was defended as a regional dialect.

YouTuber Kim Seon-tae, known as 'Chungju Man,' has issued a renewed apology for his recent remarks directed at the girl group tripleS and announced his voluntary withdrawal from the broadcast. Kim expressed regret, stating, "I think I was greedy. I wanted to try being a solo MC on terrestrial television. Now that I've tried it, it doesn't seem easy."

Kim cited his own lack of ability and difficulties in communication with the production team as reasons for his decision. "I realized my shortcomings in leading a broadcast as a solo MC," he explained. "It's not easy to decide to step down voluntarily. There are contracts and the broadcasting station is a serious matter. They gave me a regular slot, believing in me, but I don't have the capability."

I think I was greedy. I wanted to try being a solo MC on terrestrial television. Now that I've tried it, it doesn't seem easy.

— Kim Seon-taeExplaining his decision to step down from the broadcast.

He confirmed he had spoken with the representative of tripleS's agency to apologize and also extended his apologies to the group's members. Kim mentioned that the members had expressed concern for him before he reached out, adding, "I am twice or thrice more sorry."

I realized my shortcomings in leading a broadcast as a solo MC. It's not easy to decide to step down voluntarily. There are contracts and the broadcasting station is a serious matter. They gave me a regular slot, believing in me, but I don't have the capability.

— Kim Seon-taeFurther elaborating on his reasons for withdrawal.

The controversy ignited when Kim, during his appearance on the KBS YouTube original content 'Donseonta's Success Era,' questioned tripleS member Yuan about her use of the phrase 'museopno.' This phrase had previously been criticized by some politicians and a producer as an 'Ilbe term,' a slang associated with an online community known for misogyny and right-wing extremism. However, tripleS clarified it was a regional dialect, a claim supported by the mayor of Geoje, Yuan's hometown.

The situation escalated when Kim brought up the phrase again as a topic of discussion, angering tripleS fans. Yuan, who is from Geoje and serves as an ambassador for the city, has previously used the dialect naturally in other videos. tripleS has recently gained popularity, topping music charts with their song 'Rising Myth,' and Geoje has seen a nearly 300% increase in tourists, partly due to the group's popularity.

I am twice or thrice more sorry.

— Kim Seon-taeReiterating his apology to tripleS members and their agency.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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