SBS‘s Running Man, which sparked controversy over sexual harassment after actress Ahn Eun Jin was asked to “kiss one more time,” has received a decision after a broadcast review.
According to the minutes of the 26th Broadcast Review Subcommittee meeting of the Broadcast Media Communication Review Committee, the subcommittee voted “no problem” on the so-called “kiss game” on Running Man at the meeting.
Although there were criticisms and complaints that the game requiring physical contact with a female guest was inappropriate, four out of five review committee members judged that it did not warrant sanctions.
The controversial scene aired on November 23 last year.
At the time, Ahn Eun Jin and Kim Moo Jun, leads of the SBS drama Dynamite Kiss, appeared as guests. The production team ran a game parodying the drama’s title, which involved a blindfolded cast member receiving a kiss from someone and then guessing who that person was.
Yang Se Chan was the one receiving the kiss, and Ahn Eun Jin was selected to give it.
From the start, Ahn Eun Jin showed signs of discomfort, but ultimately kissed Yang Se Chan. Afterwards, as Yang Se Chan tried to guess the partner, other cast members took turns kissing him again.
When Ahn Eun Jin kissed Yang Se Chan’s wrist, Haha joked, “You have to receive one more, right?” Yang Se Chan also pretended to lean in for another kiss. Ahn Eun Jin waved her hands to refuse and appeared embarrassed, and laughter broke out on set.
However, viewers’ reactions after the broadcast were different. Netizens expressed discomfort, saying, “Isn’t this sexual harassment?“, “Is this really a game to air on a terrestrial broadcaster?“, “Forcing physical contact with a female guest is laughable,” and “I switched channels while watching with my family on Sunday evening.”
Criticism towards the production team grew, especially since Ahn Eun Jin’s hesitation was used as a source of humor. Ultimately, complaints were filed over the segment airing content that seemingly forced a kiss on a guest during family viewing hours, leading to a broadcast review.
After about 11 months, the review result was “no problem.”
Kim Min Jung, chairwoman of the Broadcast Review Committee, judged that the participants were aware of the game format and content beforehand and it was difficult to see the physical contact as being forced against their will.
Chairwoman Kim stated, “I thought it was hard to consider this as sexual speech or sexual physical contact.” She added, “Just because it can be perceived as somewhat uncomfortable does not mean it falls under prohibited expression according to broadcast regulations.”
Commissioners Kim Woo Seok, Kim Il Gon, and Jo Seung Ho reached the same conclusion.
However, the only dissenting opinion came from Commissioner Hong Mi Ae, who pointed out the inappropriateness of the broadcast. Hong said, “I think this was a broadcast that inevitably drew sexual harassment controversy,” criticizing the use of the participants’ awkward and hesitant reactions as a source of comedy.
Nonetheless, considering there were moments when the cast’s refusal was respected, she expressed the opinion that administrative guidance via a recommendation rather than formal sanctions was appropriate.
With four commissioners voting “no problem” and Hong Mi Ae advocating for a recommendation, the majority opinion prevailed, ending the review without sanctions.