Broadcaster An Sun-young apologized after public criticism grew when she openly rebuked the organization administering an international certified English test after she missed the entry cutoff time and could not take the exam. An Sun-young said it was her fault for not fully reviewing the exam rules and apologized to the test officials and test-takers.
On the 10th, An Sun-young posted on her social media (SNS), "It is entirely my fault that I arrived late to the test site without fully reviewing the test rules." She added, "I apologize to the officials of the test organizer who responded strictly according to the rules," bowing her head.
An Sun-young also apologized to the test-takers who prepared for the same exam. An said, "I sincerely apologize to the test-takers who prepared for the same exam while following the established rules," and added, "At the time, I posted emotionally because I was disappointed, and I later judged it was a rash act and deleted the post." She continued, "The many critiques and opinions made me reflect on my shortcomings," and said, "I will act more carefully so that the same thing does not happen again."
The day before, An Sun-young posted on SNS that she went to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), an internationally certified English proficiency test, but could not take the test because she arrived after the entry cutoff time. IELTS is an English proficiency test mainly taken by people preparing for study, employment, or immigration in English-speaking countries.
At the time, An wrote, "I couldn't find the parking lot, circled a one-way road eight times, barely parked and came, and I arrived before the 9 a.m. test, but they said I couldn't take it because it was after 8:50." She continued, "The test fee is 300,000 won, and when I asked if it couldn't be allowed since I was here in person, they said, 'That's why you should come early,'" adding, "It's absolutely right, but I cleared my schedule with difficulty all day for today's test."
An also tagged the test organizer's account, saying, "At the very least, you could have provided some parking info (information)." Afterward, criticism spread online that it was inappropriate for An Sun-young to post something that seemed to shift responsibility for her tardiness onto the test organizer.
According to IDP IELTS's official guidance, for morning tests you must arrive at the designated test site by 8:15 a.m. It also announces that you cannot enter after 8:50 a.m. The guidance also says that parking or parking discounts are not provided, so you should use public transportation.
Among netizens, the response continued that because a certified test applies the same standard to all candidates, there can be no exceptions even for being one minute late. Some pointed out that the rules cannot change even if the test fee is high or there are personal circumstances. Others said there is room to express frustration on a personal SNS.