KBS has officially apologized for the controversial programming on Liberation Day. KBS aired the opera "Madame Butterfly," which includes the Japanese national anthem "Kimigayo," on 1TV's "KBS Relay Desk" at midnight on the 15th, Liberation Day, sparking criticism.

On the 27th, they responded to a complaint posted on the audience bulletin board, stating that "there was no intention to praise or glorify Japanese imperialism."

First, they explained the context of "Madame Butterfly." "The work's historical background is the period in the late 19th century when Western powers forced Japan to open its ports, and international marriages involving geishas became an issue," they said.

They continued, "This opera depicts a geisha becoming the local wife of an American officer, losing her child, and eventually taking her own life. It's hard to view it as intending to praise Japanese imperialism."

Regarding the "Kimigayo" controversy, they explained, "Experts have noted that Puccini arranged the original Kimigayo melody with Western harmonies, making it difficult for general audiences to recognize."

Why was it scheduled on Liberation Day? KBS detailed the scheduling process. According to them, the program was recorded on June 29th at the Seoul Arts Center.

The original air date was scheduled for July 31st. However, the broadcast was postponed twice due to the 2024 Paris Olympics coverage, resulting in the broadcast at midnight on August 15th.

KBS stated, "The Olympic coverage schedule wasn't fixed in advance and was flexible, making it inevitable to preempt regular programming," explaining the unexpected situation.

Finally, they apologized, "Regardless of the reasons, we deeply regret not being able to check and confirm every detail, causing concern to our viewers on Liberation Day."

They are also discussing measures to prevent recurrence. "We will take this incident as an opportunity to strengthen preliminary reviews and scrutinize content more closely. We will take the role and responsibility of public broadcasting more seriously," they said.

Below is the full official statement from KBS:

KBS sincerely apologizes once again for causing discomfort and concern to our viewers by broadcasting Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly," which includes some elements of the Japanese national anthem "Kimigayo," on Liberation Day, August 15th.

We have investigated the facts concerning the production, broadcast, and scheduling process and are preparing measures to prevent recurrence.

KBS wishes to provide detailed explanations and seek understanding from our viewers regarding the airing of Puccini's masterpiece "Madame Butterfly" in our performing arts broadcast program "KBS Relay Desk."

1) KBS had no intention whatsoever of praising or glorifying Japanese imperialism through the broadcast of "Madame Butterfly."

The opera’s historical background is the late 19th century when Western powers forced Japan to open its ports, and international marriages involving geishas became a social issue. The opera portrays the tragic fate of a geisha who becomes the local wife of an American officer, ultimately losing her child and taking her own life. Broadcasting such an opera cannot be seen as intending to praise Japanese imperialism.

2) The "Kimigayo" melody was used as a variation in the background music.

According to experts consulted by KBS, the "Kimigayo" melody first appears 20 minutes into the opera, used as background music for 9 seconds during the male actor's monologue in a wedding scene. It is later used for another 6 seconds as a varied two-bar background piece. Puccini altered the original "Kimigayo" to musically depict Japan's social state at the time.

Experts have noted that Puccini arranged the original "Kimigayo" melody with Western harmonies, making it difficult for general audiences to recognize.

3) "Madame Butterfly" was initially scheduled to air in July but was postponed to Liberation Day due to the Olympics.

Additionally, "Madame Butterfly" was not initially scheduled for Liberation Day. The "KBS Relay Desk" production team recorded it at the Seoul Arts Center on June 29th (Saturday), and according to the original recording order, the broadcast was set for July 31st (Wednesday). However, due to the 2024 Paris Olympics coverage, which was not scheduled in advance but changed according to the game's circumstances, the broadcast was postponed twice, eventually airing at midnight on August 15th. Regular programming preemption due to Olympic coverage was inevitable.

Furthermore, "KBS Relay Desk" is classified as a "Producer Assigned Review," where the production team is responsible for the entire process from production to broadcast, without prior review by the KBS review office. The responsible producer entered sabbatical leave starting in August after handing over this production for scheduling, thus failing to share details with the production and scheduling departments before the broadcast.

"KBS Relay Desk" typically records and broadcasts high-quality cultural performances and is regularly scheduled late at night, decided and aired by the working-level team.

"Madame Butterfly" has already been broadcast four times beforehand by "KBS Relay Desk," despite this latest situation.

Regardless of the reasons, we apologize for not meticulously checking every detail and causing concern to our viewers on Liberation Day.

Moving forward, we will strengthen preliminary reviews and review content more carefully for programs airing on significant dates such as March 1st, June 25th, Liberation Day, Hangeul Day, and major holidays to prevent discomfort and concern to our viewers.

We pledge to take the role and responsibility of public broadcasting more seriously and fulfill our duties diligently. Thank you.

<Photo Credit=KBS>