Actor Lee Jae-ryong's drunk-driving accident controversy has erupted recently, and actor Lee Soo-kyung's fondness for drinking, who appeared on Problem Child in House, is drawing attention. A lack of vigilance about drinking awareness across the broadcasting industry is again coming under scrutiny.
Recently, actor Lee Jae-ryong was investigated on charges including violation of the Road Traffic Act (failure to take action after an accident). After Lee Jae-ryong struck the central divider on a road in Gangnam, Seoul, he was accused of fleeing the scene. Breathalyzer results reportedly showed a blood alcohol concentration at the level warranting license suspension, causing shock.
Moreover, the controversy widened as it was reexamined that he had appeared on the YouTube content Zzanbro released only 12 days before his apology. Zzanbro is known as a representative drinking broadcast on YouTube, and the video drew criticism because not only Lee Jae-ryong but also cast members with past drunk-driving records, such as An Jaewook, appeared. The criticism arose because they again discussed alcohol as the subject of conversation.
As the controversy grew, the producers made the video private, but they could not avoid criticism over whether it was appropriate to cast people with histories related to drinking in content that consumes alcohol.
Meanwhile, scenes in which people still boast about their drinking capacity are circulating in the broadcasting world, prompting renewed calls for vigilance about drinking awareness. On the KBS2TV Problem Child in House broadcast on the 26th, actor Lee Soo-kyung appeared and revealed an exceptional fondness for drinking. She said, "There are 120 to 150 bottles of alcohol at home," and when she revealed that she owned high-end wine, whiskey and champagne, she said her nickname itself was "Lee Sul-kyung."
Perhaps for that reason, Lee Soo-kyung, who seems to have succeeded at 'alcohol tech,' mentioned wine that has risen in value to hundreds of millions won and said, "I will drink it on good days with good people," drawing attention. Actor Park Sung-woong, who appeared with her, also mentioned a large wine cellar, adding to the atmosphere.
Of course, one can take the two people's talk lightly, but some point out that at a time when social vigilance is required due to drunk-driving accidents, it is problematic for the broadcasting world to repeatedly glamorize alcohol or flaunt drinking capacity. Drinking itself may not be the problem, but there are calls for greater caution in major broadcast content that has significant public influence.
Furthermore, because drinking can threaten others' lives, with recent consecutive drunk-driving controversies in the entertainment industry intensifying, it seems broadcasters need to give more careful consideration to how they handle alcohol-related material.
[Photo] Problem Child in House, Zzanbro
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