'You Quiz', O Yoanna Broadcast Deleted …Ahn Cheol-soo Criticizes MBC's Statement

‘You Quiz’, O Yoanna Broadcast Deleted …Ahn Cheol-soo Criticizes MBC’s Statement

2025-01-30

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The replay of tvN's "You Quiz on the Block" (hereafter "You Quiz"), featuring the late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna, has been removed.

On the OTT platform TVING's website, the replay of the 170th episode of "You Quiz" has been halted. This episode included appearances by Oh Yoanna (MBC), Nam Yoojin (SBS), and Bae Haeji (KBS). It gained attention as a special featuring weathercasters from the three major broadcasting companies.

The removal of the replay is due to claims that Oh Yoanna experienced workplace harassment at MBC. The family filed a lawsuit on the 23rd at the Seoul Central District Court against fellow employees for damages related to workplace harassment.

According to the family, Oh Yoanna suffered verbal abuse for about two years from 2021 until her death. Her will contained complaints about workplace harassment by four specific weathercasters.

Even at the time of her invitation to appear on "You Quiz" in October 2022, instances of harassment were present. It was revealed that a weathercaster criticized her, saying, "What are you doing? What can you say on 'You Quiz'?"

In response, MBC stated, "The deceased never reported the difficulties she faced at work to the relevant department or management," and added, "Had she informed the management even slightly about the issues, the company would have conducted a proper investigation."

However, the family's stance differed. They claimed that Oh Yoanna expressed the truth about the group harassment by colleagues while alive, but no changes occurred. Rather, MBC was alleged to have ignored and overlooked her grievances.

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, also sharply criticized MBC's stance. On the 30th, he posted on his Facebook account with the title "MBC must take responsibility for the workplace harassment allegations."

Ahn stated, "Oh Yoanna endured workplace harassment for a long time. The family is filing a civil lawsuit against the perpetrating colleagues," adding, "Thinking of the family's heartache during the holiday season after losing a loved one is painful."

He mentioned research findings that show 7 out of 10 non-regular employees in broadcasting experience harassment. "Workplace harassment remains widespread in our society. Especially for the socially vulnerable or non-regular employees, the impact is even more severe," he added.

Ahn criticized MBC for its irresponsible attitude over the four months following Oh Yoanna's death. He pointed out, "For freelance workers, who are often in vulnerable positions, reporting such issues to the company is realistically difficult. It is wrong to shift the responsibility onto the victim."

Lastly, he stated, "Misrepresenting this criticism as an attack on MBC or as suppressing the press is a secondary victimization that insults the deceased and harms the family," and admonished, "If MBC uses partisan logic to evade responsibility, it would be a typical case of hypocrisy."