A past controversy involving SBS variety show Running Man is being brought back into public discussion following the recent backlash surrounding Starbucks Korea’s controversial “Tank Day” promotional campaign.
Online users have recently revisited a 2019 Running Man broadcast after criticism erupted over phrases used in Starbucks Korea’s May 18 marketing event.
The controversy dates back to Episode 455 of Running Man, which aired on June 2, 2019. During the episode, the cast competed in mini-games while preparing merchandise for the show’s ninth anniversary fan meeting.
At one point, cast member Kim Jong-kook commented that the “yellow team probably chose number one right away,” after which Jeon So-min suddenly coughed.
The production team added the caption: “As soon as they picked number one — ack!”
Following the broadcast, some viewers criticized the wording for allegedly referencing the infamous phrase connected to the 1987 death of student activist Park Jong-chul during police torture.
The phrase echoed a controversial explanation once given by authorities: “He hit the desk and he suddenly died.”
At the time, SBS apologized, stating that the caption was intended only as satire related to the filming situation and had no connection to the historical incident.
The old Running Man controversy resurfaced after Starbucks Korea faced massive criticism for a recent tumbler promotion held on May 18 — the anniversary of the Gwangju Democratization Movement.
The campaign reportedly used phrases such as “Tank Day” and “Bang the desk!” in promotional copy, prompting accusations that the wording evoked painful historical memories tied to military violence and political repression in South Korea.
The backlash quickly intensified online, leading Starbucks Korea to halt the promotion on the same day.
Reports also stated that executives connected to the campaign were dismissed following the controversy.
Actor Han Jung-soo joined the growing criticism by posting a photo of a cut-up Starbucks card on social media along with the message: “Let’s stop going there now.”
The post was widely interpreted as support for the ongoing boycott movement against Starbucks Korea.
Meanwhile, some netizens argued that earlier entertainment controversies — including the Running Man caption issue — may have contributed to a culture where sensitive historical references were treated too casually in mainstream media.
The incident has reignited wider discussion in South Korea over the use of historically sensitive language in entertainment and marketing.
Sources: 네이트 뉴스
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