Complaint cites 'disconnect from actual financial situation'

Broadcaster Do Kyung-wan. [Screen capture from KBS 2TV's Pyeonstorang]
Broadcaster Do Kyung-wan. [Screen capture from KBS 2TV's Pyeonstorang]

A broadcast complaint has been filed over a KBS 2TV variety program that featured broadcaster Do Kyung-wan's frugal lifestyle.

According to Sports Chosun, a complainant identified only as A filed a review request through the government's public petition portal regarding the episode of Pyeonstorang — a food and lifestyle variety show — that aired Thursday. The complaint questions whether the show's subtitles and editing accurately conveyed Do's actual financial situation to viewers.

In the episode, Do confessed to investment losses, saying, "Why is SK hynix excluded? I went in with leverage — I'm down 40 percent. I bought in at 490,000 won ($367) and now it's at 290,000 won."

Do also grumbled that a 10,000-won withdrawal from a rotating savings club had left the bank account balance at 254,795 won, and complained to family members that the water bill had risen by 58,000 won from the previous month.

In an effort to cut utility costs, Do was shown instructing children to collect water before flushing the toilet, and had turned off the living room air conditioner in the middle of summer — even removing the batteries from the remote control.

While the scenes of struggling to trim household expenses drew viewer attention, reactions online after the broadcast were divided. Some praised the thrifty lifestyle despite accumulated wealth, but others said the portrayal amounted to "commoner cosplay" given Do's known financial standing.

That criticism stems in large part from the couple's widely known asset base. Do and spouse Jang Yun-jeong are reported to have sold their luxury unit at Nineone Hannam in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul for about 12 billion won in 2024, netting a capital gain of roughly 7 billion won. That same year, the couple reportedly purchased a penthouse at another luxury residence in the same neighborhood, Aperre Hangang, for about 12 billion won paid entirely in cash.

Last month, Do also appeared on a YouTube channel showcasing a top-of-the-line Rolex watch owned by Jang. The timepiece is reported to retail new for 70 million won, with some models exceeding 100 million won depending on the variant.

The complainant said there was a clear disconnect between these facts and Do's on-air portrayal of financial hardship.

The complaint also called on public broadcaster KBS to demonstrate that it had fulfilled its public responsibilities and upheld fairness and public interest in producing and airing the program, citing Article 14 of the broadcast review regulations and Article 44, Paragraph 1 of the Broadcasting Act.


betterj@heraldcorp.com