According to reports on March 2, the show’s producers met last week with the family of the late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong and representatives from the firefighters’ union. Both sides are currently in talks regarding a formal apology and follow-up measures. The production team has already announced plans to issue an official apology and re-edit the controversial segments in an effort to prevent further escalation.
The controversy initially erupted after a person identifying themselves as the late firefighter’s nephew shared an emotional message on social media. He described February as an extremely painful time for his family, explaining that they endured significant stress while trying to correct what they believed to be a serious wrongdoing. He expressed frustration that, despite being the affected party, he felt compelled to personally plead for the issue to be acknowledged.
He further stated that he hopes the sacrifices of those who died in the line of duty will never again be diminished. According to him, had the issue remained unresolved, it would have left a lasting emotional burden on the family. He also thanked everyone who spoke up in support of fallen uniformed officers and their families, acknowledging that his voice alone would not have been enough to bring attention to the matter.
Amid the backlash, some media outlets reported that the production team had allegedly obtained consent to use the firefighter’s photo under the pretense of creating a documentary honoring national heroes. However, this claim has since been clarified as a misunderstanding. The nephew explained that the family had simultaneously received a separate documentary proposal from another production company, which caused confusion. He emphasized that reports suggesting the show falsely claimed to be producing a documentary were inaccurate and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the misunderstanding.
The controversy stemmed from a mission in Battle of Fates in which fortune tellers were asked to deduce the cause of a deceased individual’s death using limited clues. The inclusion of the late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong, who died in the 2001 Hongje-dong fire in Seoul’s Seodaemun District, sparked outrage from his family and the firefighters’ union. The program also faced criticism for referencing the 2004 death of police officer Lee Jae-hyun, who was fatally stabbed while apprehending a violent suspect, in what many deemed an inappropriate manner.
As criticism intensified, the production team stated that they had listened carefully to the concerns of the bereaved families and related officials and decided to re-edit the relevant portions. They issued an apology to the affected families, firefighters, police officers, and viewers, pledging to improve and strengthen their production processes moving forward. The team also expressed respect for the noble sacrifices of the late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong and the late officer Lee Jae-hyun, while offering gratitude to public safety officials who continue to risk their lives for citizens.
Battle of Fates is a survival variety program in which 49 fortune tellers compete in various missions to test their abilities. The show features a panel including broadcaster Jun Hyun-moo, comedian Park Na-rae, Kang Ji-young, actress Park Ha-sun, and Shindong of Super Junior.
Sources: Daum
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