The "poverty cosplay" controversy over broadcaster Do Kyung-wan's frugal lifestyle, despite his reported 12 billion won home, has escalated to the point of a formal complaint filed with the broadcasting review committee [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Amidst controversy over so-called "poverty cosplay" regarding a broadcast featuring broadcaster Do Kyung-wan's frugal lifestyle, it has been reported that a complaint requesting a broadcasting review has been filed.

Recently, a post appeared on an online community stating that a request for review had been submitted to the Broadcasting and Communications Commission of Korea concerning Do Kyung-wan's appearance on the KBS 2TV variety program "New Product Launch Bunsiktang" (hereinafter referred to as "Bunsiktang").

The author of the post stated, "I have submitted a broadcasting review application regarding potential violations of Article 14 (Objectivity) of the Broadcasting Review Regulations." They further argued, "KBS is a broadcaster operated primarily with funds from the broadcasting reception fees paid by the public," adding, "The core of the 'poverty cosplay' controversy lies not in an individual's frugal lifestyle itself, but in whether there were broadcast expressions and editing that could lead viewers to perceive it as actual economic hardship."

Previously, on the episode of "Bunsiktang" aired on the 22nd, Do Kyung-wan expressed disappointment over a stock market crash and revealed that his bank account balance was 250,000 won. He also introduced his daily frugal habits, such as having his children flush toilets with collected water to reduce management fees, and turning off the living room air conditioner in the middle of summer and even removing the batteries from the remote control.

However, following the broadcast, online debates continued regarding Do Kyung-wan's frugal lifestyle. Given that Do Kyung-wan and his wife Jang Yoon-jing are known to have purchased a luxury home worth approximately 12 billion won, reactions emerged stating it was difficult to empathize with the frugal daily life emphasized on the show. Some also pointed out that it is difficult to equate the frugal lifestyle of a financially comfortable celebrity with general economic hardship.

It was recently re-examined that Do Kyung-wan had disclosed his financial difficulties. In May, he appeared on the YouTube channel "SHW Life Person's Clock" and revealed that he had sold his watches as second-hand items due to a lack of cash for taxes. At the time, he confessed, "It was a lean season. I had no work, and my YouTube wasn't doing well either, so it was truly difficult."

Meanwhile, it is reported that Do Kyung-wan and Jang Yoon-jing sold their Nine One Hannam residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul in 2024 for approximately 12 billion won, realizing a capital gain of about 7 billion won. Subsequently, they attracted attention after it was revealed that they had purchased Aper Han River The Penthouse, a luxury residential complex along the Han River in Seoul, for approximately 12 billion won.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original