Disney+ variety show Battle of Fates is facing intense public backlash after featuring a “cause-of-death deduction mission” involving deceased public servants, alongside controversial remarks made by its cast.
At the center of the controversy is MC Jun Hyun-moo. In Episode 2, released on February 11, the production team presented a photo, birth details, and time of death of the late police officer Lee Jae-hyun, who died in the line of duty, and asked the cast to deduce his cause of death.
During the segment, one shaman cast member commented, “People commonly call getting stabbed ‘knife-bbang,’ don’t they?” In response, Jun Hyun-moo said, “A uniformed officer getting knife-bbang… that’s too direct.” Fellow cast member Shindong also remarked, “I liked that word,” drawing further criticism.
Immediately after the broadcast, social media and online communities erupted with outrage. Comments included, “The worst kind of broadcast that humiliates the deceased,” “Is that a word you would use for someone who died protecting citizens?” and “Is this because it’s an OTT platform that they’re going too far?” Many viewers argued that the program lacked even the most basic respect for the dead.
The controversy escalated when the same episode included a mission to deduce the cause of death of the late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong, who died during the 2001 Hongje-dong fire. The Firefighters’ Labor Union (under the Confederation of Korean Government Employees’ Unions) issued an official statement expressing regret, saying the segment could severely damage the honor and dignity of the deceased.
An individual claiming to be a bereaved family member also voiced anger online, stating, “They said they would honor the sacrifice, but instead they turned the cause of death into a guessing game.”
On February 20, the production team released an official apology. They stated, “We belatedly learned that some of the bereaved family members and relatives were not properly informed during the prior consent process,” adding, “We sincerely apologize to the grieving families and fellow firefighters who were hurt.” However, the producers maintained their position that prior explanations and written consent had been obtained, saying they would continue to clarify misunderstandings.
Meanwhile, MC Park Na-rae has also come under scrutiny. Despite having suspended activities due to allegations involving power abuse toward her manager and illegal medical procedures, she appeared in the show without editing. The production team explained that the footage had been pre-recorded, but public reaction remains cold.
Battle of Fates launched with a unique survival concept featuring 49 fortune tellers including shamans, saju experts, and tarot readers competing against one another. However, criticism that the show “turned even the deaths of the departed into missions” has intensified, with some now questioning whether the program can continue.
In the fierce competition for ratings and attention, the decision to pursue provocative content appears to have backfired returning as a boomerang of public outrage.
Sources: Nate
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