"Tap it and it's 'Eol'"... Seven years after 'Running Man' caption controversy resurfaces amid Starbucks 'Tank Day' controversy [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

As the so-called 'Tank Day' controversy at Starbucks Korea spreads, a past caption controversy from 'Running Man' is being revisited once again.

In an episode of SBS entertainment program 'Running Man' aired on June 2, 2019, Jeon So-min, who was listening to Kim Jong-kook, was shown looking startled and choking.

At the time, the production team inserted the caption "Tap number 1 and it's 'Eol' — choking." Immediately after the broadcast, the program faced criticism on viewer message boards and various online communities for trivializing the death of the late Park Jong-cheol from torture.

The production team apologized, stating, "The caption was intended as satire of the recording situation at the time and had no intent regarding the incident. However, since it may appear uncomfortable depending on one's perspective, we will be more careful in future productions."

The Broadcasting and Communications Commission's Broadcasting Ethics Subcommittee issued a 'recommendation' administrative guidance, stating, "Using expressions reminiscent of the death of the late Park Jong-cheol from torture as material for laughter may undermine viewers' ethical sentiments and emotions, so caution is required."

The background for the resurfacing of the 'Running Man' caption controversy is the Tank Day promotion controversy at Starbucks Korea.

Earlier, Starbucks Korea conducted a tumblers promotion on the 18th, the 46th anniversary of the the 18th Democratic Uprising, using slogans such as 'Tank Day' and 'Tap on the desk!'.

This drew widespread criticism for evoking memories of the tanks deployed by martial law forces in Gwangju in May 1980 and the death of the late Park Jong-cheol from torture. Facing intense backlash, Starbucks Korea canceled the event, and Shinsegae Group Chairman Jung Yong-jin dismissed the Starbucks Korea president and the relevant executive.

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*This content was translated by AI.