The JTBC comedy program "Knowing Brothers" has received a disciplinary warning over certain "vulgar" and "rude" scenes in recent episodes.
On Dec. 22, Thursday, the show received an official warning from the Broadcast Censorship Committee, which is a body that regulates content on television, radio and Internet in South Korea. "Knowing Brothers" received the disciplinary warning for apparently objectifying female guests in a sexual manner on more than one occasion.
Subsequently, the censorship committee decided to take punitive action against the show after the cast members continued to use inappropriate language towards each other as well as guests on the show despite the warning. Ha Nam Shin, a member of the committee, has now explained in detail why the disciplinary action was being taken against "Knowing Brothers," in a statement to Koreaboo.
"The program is a variety program which is comedic in nature but it also enjoys a level of popularity that rivals non-cable programs," Ha said. "This means that the show also must maintain a level of class that reflects its popularity and we decided to issue a warning on this grounds."
Another member from the committee agreed with the decision to take action against the comedy program. The member state that when they issued the warning they only had the improper language and actions in mind, but later they realized that the show was also sexually objectifying women, for which they must be penalized.
The scenes the committee members are talking about include a segment Min Kyung Hoon gifts Jun So Min a bra made out of paper cups and other scenes, during which statements like "Are you gay?" and "You're very feminine" were made, according to Media Today. There were several other instances of inappropriate language being used on the show. The disciplinary action was taken against "Knowing Brothers" after viewers filed 37 complaints over four episodes.
