Kian84 'indoor smoking' controversy a year and a half later…this time Kim Dae-ho's SNS cigar photo, why is it noisy again
In April 2024, webtoon artist and broadcaster Kian84 was swept up in an unexpected controversy after appearing on Coupang Play's SNL Korea. In a skit parodying the popular 1990s matchmaking show 'Love Studio,' a scene in which he exited while lighting a real cigarette was broadcast as is. About a year and a half later, former news anchor turned broadcaster Kim Dae-ho came under scrutiny.
At the time Kian84 said the intent was to recreate a time when it was acceptable to smoke on TV because it was a 1990s broadcast concept, but viewers debated after smoke spread throughout the studio and even the cast looked startled on air. Criticism that indoor smoking is excessive even for a skit clashed with defenses that it was just ad-libbing and entertainment should be seen as entertainment.
A month later, Kian84 along with Jeong Sung Ho and Kim Min-gyo received 100,000 won fines for indoor smoking under the National Health Promotion Act. The broadcast scene was confirmed to be actual smoking, leading to administrative procedures.
And now, about a year and a half later, a similar controversy has erupted again. This time it is former news anchor turned broadcaster Kim Dae-ho. On the 22nd, Kim Dae-ho posted a photo on his SNS showing a space that appears to be inside his house smoking a cigar and wrote that he wanted to go refill his cigar and asking, "Can't we make up with the United States?" to share his daily life.
Because he had built a friendly image by sharing candid updates like 'drinking alone' photos and unvarnished selfies, some responded that it was just a natural part of daily life, but concern grew after the photo captured cigar smoke rising. Especially since it became known that he keeps a pet cat, responses followed saying, "There's a cat, so indoor smoking is worrisome," "Even if it's a personal preference, did he need to make it public?", and "Shouldn't a public figure be more careful?" On the other hand, opinions defending him countered, "Isn't he free to do what he wants in his own home?" and "It's excessive interference in private life."
The biggest difference between the Kian84 case and the Kim Dae-ho controversy is whether it was an official broadcast or a personal SNS post. Kian84 exposed an indoor smoking scene in the public sphere of an official entertainment program and ultimately faced legal punishment. Meanwhile, Kim Dae-ho posted a private item on his personal SNS and, regardless of legal violation, stands at the center of a moral and social controversy.
Still, the reason Kim Dae-ho is criticized is clear. SNS is also a space exposed to an unspecified large number of people, so it can have an impact comparable to broadcast. In particular, because entertainers and broadcasters are public figures with many followers, there is an underlying perception that each of their actions has a large influence on youths and fans.
Even though SNS is not subject to broadcast review regulations, concerns that casually exposing smoking scenes could ultimately glamorize or trivialize smoking are no different from the Kian84 case. In the end, both controversies lead to the same question: freedom of expression or the responsibility of public figures. In Kian84's case a legal judgment was reached, and in Kim Dae-ho's case the issue remains in the realm of discomfort rather than 'illegal.' But because both involved figures with public influence exposing smoking scenes to the public, both cases leave a regretful impression of "wouldn't it have been better to be a little more careful."
[Photo] broadcast screen, SNS, OSEN DB
[OSEN]