Hidden Camera Controversy in "Contract Marriage"… Debate Over Responsibility of Ahn Jung-hwan and Production Team for Comment That "If It Looks Good, Who Knows?" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Male contestant Choi Jeong-hyun from "Contract Marriage" has sparked a "hidden camera controversy" after filming his virtual wife, Jung Min-hyun, without her consent. Amid this, debates are emerging over the responsibility of TV personality Ahn Jung-hwan, whose remarks reflect a lack of gender sensitivity, and the production team for standing by as the situation unfolded.

In the episode of the variety show "Contract Marriage" on KBS Joy and MBC Every1 aired on the 2nd, Choi Jeong-hyun and Jung Min-hyun were shown in conflict over filming without consent.

"Contract Marriage" is a marriage simulation observation reality show in which men and women who wish to marry experience a marital relationship through a contract, confirming the meaning of marriage and realistic partnership in the process. It is a new variety program by PD Nam Gyu-hong, who directed "I Am Solo." Choi Jeong-hyun became known as Young-soo from Season 32 of the divorced special of "I Am Solo," while Jung Min-hyun is a contestant familiar to audiences under the nickname Guk-hwa (Chrysanthemum) from "Na Sol Sa Gye" (a spin-off of "I Am Solo").

On the broadcast, Choi Jeong-hyun and Jung Min-hyun returned home to their newlywed residence after finishing an evening date and set up a second round. However, Choi Jeong-hyun failed to focus on his conversation with Jung Min-hyun, his gaze drifting elsewhere.

Shortly after, it was revealed that Choi Jeong-hyun had secretly installed a camera he had brought personally without Jung Min-hyun's knowledge, frequently changing the angle and filming over two days.

In response, Choi Jeong-hyun said, "This is mine. I took a few shots to keep them as my own. Are you upset because I installed it without prior consent? I just took them for commemoration. I just wanted to try it out. If you tell me to delete the (footage) later, I will. I'm sorry for not getting consent. But aren't you being very sensitive?" worsening the situation.

Jung Min-hyun rightfully demanded, "I would like you to delete all the footage in front of me," then personally took the memory card and went to bed first to avoid Choi Jeong-hyun.

Immediately after the broadcast, viewers raised critical voices through the comment section of the broadcast clip featuring this scene, stating, "Even if they were a real married couple, this would obviously be problematic, but installing a hidden camera during a virtual marriage is truly creepy," "From a woman's perspective, it is extremely scary and creepy," and "Filming without the other person's consent is exactly what 'hidden camera' means; there is no other definition."

Pointers were also made regarding MC Ahn Jung-hwan's gender sensitivity. In a scene where the two reviewed the filmed footage together, Ahn Jung-hwan joked, "If it looks good, (Jung Min-hyun) might say, 'Maybe I shouldn't delete this.' Who knows."

Furthermore, Ahn Jung-hwan made remarks that seemed to defend Choi Jeong-hyun's actions, saying, "I don't think the intention was bad. It seems like there is some (reason)." On the other hand, Hyoyeon, who shares MC duties, pointed out Choi Jeong-hyun's behavior by stating, "This might make (Jung Min-hyun) feel uncomfortable. It feels like a CCTV camera. I didn't know (I was being filmed)."

Previously, Ahn Jung-hwan had also raised viewers' eyebrows with excessive remarks such as, "Aren't you two going to end up becoming three?" while watching scenes of Choi Jeong-hyun and Jung Min-hyun engaging in physical contact or showing mutual affection.

Many viewers criticized Ahn Jung-hwan's remarks, stating, "Can someone with such low gender sensitivity really host a marriage and dating program?" "I am shocked every time I watch the broadcast by Ahn Jung-hwan's comments," and "There can be no justification for hidden cameras under any circumstances."

Debates over the responsibility of the production team have also emerged. Even if the contestants consented to the filming and the setting of a "virtual marriage," the production team has an obligation to protect the contestants when unexpected situations arise. In fact, voices demanding explanations as to when the production team became aware of the incident and what measures they took after grasping the situation are also growing louder.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original