The web variety show Zzanbro Shin Dong-yeob revised its trailer after a sexual harassment controversy, but criticism has not subsided easily. As accumulated controversies converged, criticism continued over the production team's response and the content's direction.
What caused the problem was an inappropriate scene in the Zzanbro trailer aimed at TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) member Soobin. The depiction of mentioning the body and seemingly attempting to measure it, and the subject's reaction that it was "shaming" being revealed as is, spread the controversy, and ultimately that part was removed.
But even in the revised trailer questions remain. That is because the cast's exposed upper garments, jokes about bodies, and sensational captions such as "shock and horror" and "I've never seen a show like this" remained unchanged. In the end it was only a "partial revision" that removed only the specific scenes that sparked strong idol fandom backlash, and there is criticism that there is no sign of consideration about the overall level or direction of the content. Relatedly, the production team did not convey any apology or statement.
The essence of this controversy is not limited to one scene. In Zzanbro, provocative elements such as insults, mention of excessive kissing scenes and jokes about bodies have been repeatedly used in alcohol-centered talk. It got to the point where cast members apologized.
Earlier, Kwon Sang-woo reacted to P.O., who teased his pronunciation, with insults mixed in, and while recounting the behind-the-scenes of a kissing scene with Moon Chae-won in a film he said, "When the action started, Chae-won did it very amusingly and well. It was fun, honestly," which embarrassed Moon Chae-won. Moon Chae-won again said, "Senior, you seem a little drunk right now," to wrap up the situation. As the controversy continued, Kwon Sang-woo issued a direct apology in the comments of the video. He later said, "I'm sorry to those who felt uncomfortable because I was too drunk. I just filmed Zzanbro, so please view it kindly," and added, "I love my work, but my drinking tolerance is low so I drank heavily. I will refrain from drinking from now on."
Additionally, actress Lee Young-ae drew attention for expressing concern for youth on the YouTube drinking variety show Zzanbro. When it was revealed that Lee Young-ae was the first female model for soju and interest grew, Lee Young-ae candidly said, "I'm worried my children might watch this broadcast today and say, 'Should I try drinking too?'." She continued, "Zzanbro must include captions. A warning saying, 'Adolescents, do not drink or binge drink' should be included," which drew attention.
This trend also runs counter to recently strengthened social standards. The government revised the "media drinking scene guidelines to prevent the spread of drinking culture" in 2023 and expanded the management scope to online content such as OTT and YouTube. Accordingly, Zzanbro has been inserting warning captions that "excessive drinking is harmful to health," but the content itself still cannot escape a structure that relies on sensationalism.
Although cast members expressed concern about glamorizing drinking on the broadcast and apologized directly for unintentionally causing discomfort to the public, the production team showed no position. One major reason is the criticism that the drinking setting has functioned as a kind of excuse for controlling the level. Even if the production team pinned that comment to the top, it paradoxically raised the question again of where responsibility for editing and direction lies. That is because the party that ultimately releases the content is the production team.
The problem is particularly the nature of the platform. YouTube is likely to expose content without age restrictions, and if an idol guest appears, teenage viewers naturally follow. If sexual jokes, bodily ridicule and excessive drinking depiction are combined in such an environment, critics argue it is hard to view them as a simple "variety code." Lee Young-ae's concern about children is an understandable point. Especially if teenage fan bases are drawn in, the production team should have been more stringent in editing, captions and scene composition.
Above all, the controversy surrounding Zzanbro is not the first. Similar problems have repeated, such as glamorizing drinking and casting guests with drinking and driving controversies, and each time the production team moved to revise or make videos private and passed the situation without much explanation. This time is no different. Although the controversial scenes disappeared, there is still no explanation of why it was a problem or a reestablishment of standards for the content as a whole. A statement like "watching the main episode will reduce misunderstandings" is insufficient.
Ultimately, this time the sexual harassment controversy against idol guests shows that the structure itself—where high-level remarks and actions are packaged as entertainment using alcohol as an excuse—has come under scrutiny. Some viewers are even calling for cancellation. This reflects fatigue with the production team's unchanged attitude despite repeated controversies. Distrust has built that the production team does not sufficiently reflect on problems. If the drinking-broadcast format is to be maintained, even more responsibility is needed in protecting participants, considering viewer age groups, the possibility of glamorizing drinking and the boundaries of sexual jokes.
If a channel watched by 2.1 million subscribers is involved, what is required is not simply a "partial revision" of the video but an appropriate explanation and apology first, and an attitude toward preventing recurrence. This is the minimum courtesy to subscribers who support the content, and it should not end with quietly deleting controversial scenes. Now is the time for serious content restructuring and careful consideration about why criticism keeps recurring, not for continually stronger stimulation.
[Photo] Zzanbro
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