"The restaurant selected as number one has been confirmed to have violated the selection criteria of TtoGanJip." YouTuber Pungja, who is appearing on the web entertainment show 'TtoGanJip,' has been embroiled in a controversy regarding manipulation by a regular guest.
On the 27th, the YouTube channel 'Studio Suje' deleted and re-uploaded the 'TtoGanJip' Anyang episode, which was originally released on the 25th, two days before. The previously released 'TtoGanJip' Anyang episode was generating buzz as it surpassed 900,000 views in just two days. The sudden action caught the attention of netizens.
'TtoGanJip' is a web entertainment show conducted by Pungja, where restaurants that have been visited again are recommended through interviews with local citizens, and a number one restaurant is selected. Pungja's candid commentary and hearty eating shows, along with the pride of local citizens in their local restaurants, have generated buzz over the past three years.
In this episode, interviews were conducted with local residents who identify as natives of Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. However, near the end of the video, a regular guest appeared and recommended a restaurant operated by their family, and Pungja, unaware of this, selected that restaurant as the number one episode.
Late viewers who watched the video submitted many tips regarding the 'family restaurant,' and just one day after the release, on the 26th, the guest in the video acknowledged this in the comments and apologized, revealing the fact that they had violated 'TtoGanJip' selection criteria for number one. Consequently, the production team deleted the original video and re-uploaded it after completely editing out the segments featuring the controversial guest and the restaurant selected as number one, along with an apology letter.
However, Pungja has asked citizens recommending restaurants in each episode, "Aren't they acquaintances or family members?" and asked the controversial regular guest the same question, but was denied. Thus, criticism has been directed more towards the controversial regular guest rather than the production team. In contrast, sympathy has been pouring towards the 'TtoGanJip' production team, who deleted a video that was nearing 1 million views.
Regarding this controversy, 'TtoGanJip' stated, "We plan to prepare and publicly release the 'Anyang episode' again as soon as possible," adding, "We want to clarify to viewers that TtoGanJip has not received a single restaurant advertisement in the past three years."
Here is the full text of the statement from the 'TtoGanJip' production team.
Hello, this is Studio Suje.
We thank everyone who always appreciates and watches 'TtoGanJip.'
In the recently released 'TtoGanJip Anyang episode', it was confirmed that the restaurant selected as number one violated the selection criteria of TtoGanJip.
We have directly confirmed that the statement made by the regular guest, 'They are not related,' is not true.
We have verified the facts directly with the individual involved, and they have repeatedly conveyed their apology to the studio and the viewers.
As a result, the distributed posters have been recalled, and the video will be permanently deleted.
The 'Anyang episode' is scheduled to be prepared and released again as soon as possible.
We aimed to respond cautiously, concerned about the excessive criticism towards the regular guest.
We do not wish to see personal information or excessive defaming comments about the regular guest, and such comments may be deleted.
We want to clarify to viewers again that TtoGanJip has not received a single restaurant advertisement in the past three years.
We will do our utmost to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again in the future.
Thank you.
[Photo] Source: YouTube.
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