KBS 18th Generation Comedians Accused of Beating Juniors and Forced Gatherings... "We Endured Being Scolded and Beaten" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Members of the 18th generation of KBS public recruitment comedians revealed the harsh military-style culture prevalent at the start of their careers.

Recently, on the YouTube channel '1010Works', Oh Ji-heon, Kim Jin-cheol, Chae Kyung-seon, and Kim Billy (Kim Byung-heon) appeared to directly disclose the military-style culture in the comedy room of broadcasting stations approximately 20 years ago, along with various incidents that occurred at the time.

On this day, Oh Ji-heon recalled that the 18th generation colleagues were in their early twenties when they joined the broadcasting station, lacked experience in social life, and although pure and kind, they were often criticized and reprimanded by seniors due to their lack of awareness. Oh Ji-heon spoke about Kim Jin-cheol, who had been arrested for a junior gathering incident at the time, saying, "Jin-cheol was a friend who, even while in the detention center during his own most difficult situation, listened to and cared for the stories of other detainees one by one," conveying the regrettable situation where well-meaning colleagues had to endure great suffering under a coercive system.

The guests also revealed anecdotes in which the entire 18th generation was misunderstood or treated unfairly due to the actions of a specific colleague. Chae Kyung-seon drew a line regarding rumors circulating online about a specific colleague's assault on and forced gathering of a 19th generation junior, stating, "I saw videos and memes going around. As our fellow colleagues at the time, we had neither heard nor known anything about this incident."

She continued, "That colleague did not even show up when we were ordered to gather, and later stopped coming to work altogether," adding, "When colleagues called to check on his whereabouts, a certain senior answered for him and angrily asked the colleagues, 'Why are you calling if he's with me?'"

Kim Billy also recalled that it was suspicious how a specific colleague always personally informed the group about gathering orders from seniors. Testimonies followed suggesting that this colleague enjoyed special privileges under the protection of seniors, even when making mistakes without facing any criticism. In response, the guests shared, "We too endured being scolded and beaten during those days, but it was bitter that the entire cohort was misunderstood due to one person's actions."

Kim Billy also revealed behind-the-scenes details about how he eventually left KBS for SBS after experiencing extreme anxiety from weekly forced gatherings while in a position where he had to order juniors to gather under seniors' commands. Additionally, the guests shared touching stories of their youth, including memories of mid-life pride, visits to the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, anecdotes about colleagues' hideouts, and an episode about obsessive-compulsive tendencies regarding the driver's seat, all while sharing nostalgic moments together.

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*This content was translated by AI.