MBN and Channel S' "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4"
MBN and Channel S' "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4"

The food-travel variety show "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan" is facing backlash after allegedly exposing the name and location of a restaurant that had refused to be filmed.

The Friday episode of MBN and Channel S' "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4" followed host Jeon Hyun-moo and YouTuber Kwak Tube as they visited restaurants in northern Gyeonggi Province alongside IVE members Gaeul and Liz. The show's format involves dropping in on eateries unannounced, without pre-arranging appearances.

When the group visited a Western-style pork cutlet restaurant and asked to film, the owner refused outright. "We don't do filming. We have never filmed with anyone, no exceptions," the owner said.

Gaeul tried again to persuade the owner, but the owner, who said they were 74 years old, explained it was too difficult. "If I go on TV even once, I'm done for — that's why I don't even open in the afternoon. I'm sorry. I really don't have the confidence," the owner said, asking for understanding.

The cast ultimately turned away. Jeon turned to Gaeul and Liz and said, "This is the real deal, right?" — emphasizing the unscripted nature of the show.

Kwak Tube said the group had shown up too suddenly, while Jeon added, "The owner is 74 and said it's too hard — I understand."

A scene from "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4" showing the restaurant's name and location, with additional mosaic blurring applied after broadcast. [MBN and Channel S' "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4"]
A scene from "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4" showing the restaurant's name and location, with additional mosaic blurring applied after broadcast. [MBN and Channel S' "Jeon Hyun-moo Plan 4"]

Despite the owner's plea not to attract crowds through broadcast exposure, critics say the production team aired enough information to identify the restaurant. Only the middle character of the three-character restaurant name was blurred, and footage showing the cast's approach and the surrounding area made it easy to deduce both the name and location. Critics say the production team should have handled personal information more carefully given that a private citizen was involved. Posts speculating about the restaurant's identity have since circulated online.

Online commenters voiced their frustration. "Is slapping on a mosaic supposed to make it OK? The real problem is that they aired it at all after she said no," one wrote. Others said: "If you're going to blur it, do it properly — you can see everything"; "It looks like they aired it on purpose to play up the 'unscripted' angle"; "She just wants to make a quiet living in her old age — why go and cause trouble? Will they take responsibility if the place has to shut down?"; and "The production team is truly irresponsible."


paq@heraldcorp.com