Baek Jong-won Accused of Abuse of Power by Former MBC PD… Fury Erupts Over Baek Jong-won's Positive Image

Kim Jae-hwan, a former MBC variety PD who claimed abuse of power by businessman and broadcaster Baek Jong-won, has responded to the emergence of a PD defending Baek.

On the 21st, a video titled "Can Baek Jong-won Make a Comeback? How Baek Jong-won and the Media Use Each Other" was posted on the YouTube channel '45Plus.'

Director Kim asserted, "In the world, there is a 'broadcasting Baek Jong-won' and a 'business Baek Jong-won,'" adding, "The recent criticism Baek has faced is because the words of the broadcasting Baek Jong-won have come back like a boomerang to stab the business Baek Jong-won."

He continued, "Baek requested that 'I need to include my designated writer and filming team' while appearing on the program," stating, "While cooperation between the PD and filming team is important on set, if Baek's chosen team only caters to his mood, power on set will concentrate on him." This was his expose of Baek's alleged abuse of power.

After Director Kim's video exposing Baek Jong-won's abuse of power gained attention, PD Han Kyung-hoon responded on the 25th through an interview with the Korea Economic Daily, revealing Baek's positive actions and denying Kim's claims.

PD Han has collaborated with Baek Jong-won since 2019 on projects such as 'The Recipe of Recipes,' 'Baek Jong-won's National Food – Global Food,' 'Baek Jong-won's Seasons – What to Eat This Season?', and 'Baek Jong-won's Les Misérables.'

PD Han remarked, "(Baek Jong-won) does send gifts even for holidays or after a program concludes, looking after the driver and carefully considering all cast and staff." He added, "While they are not luxury gifts, I have never seen anyone who looks after everyone like that."

That day, PD Han stated, "It's true that Baek tends to be selective about people," and added, "Isn't it natural to prefer communicating with those who understand what he says well and are thought to be suitable for collaboration, and to avoid those who do not?"

In response, Director Kim criticized in a video titled 'Baek Jong-won News, How to Interpret It,' stating, "I cannot contain my anger. Why are the franchise owners left neglected while staff members are taking care of gifts for 200 people?" He urged, "Please take care of the franchise owners," adding, "Can you block the sky with your palm? The story about Baek (abuse of power) is something everyone already knows. Let's be honest about it."

He then claimed that a PD who is "so close to Baek as to attend special lectures at the school where Baek serves as chairman" should sue him if Baek's abuse of power is completely unfounded.

Meanwhile, amidst the controversy, a recent post in an online community featuring a photo of Baek Jong-won cooking with the caption "Filming Genius Baek in France, Season 3" garnered attention.

YouTube '45Plus'

Image Source: YouTube '45Plus', YouTube 'Baek Jong-won paik jong won', News1