Reality show 'I Live Alone' disciplined for 'glorifying' alcohol consumption
 

Popular reality TV show “I Live Alone” has received a disciplinary measure from South Korea’s broadcasting watchdog for repeatedly depicting cast members drinking alcohol, it was revealed Wednesday.

The decision to issue a "caution" to the show’s broadcaster MBC was made at a general meeting of the Korea Communications Standards Commission on Monday in Seoul, where 15 cases, including of “I Live Alone,” were reviewed for potential violations of broadcasting and communication regulations.

Rated for viewers aged 15 and older, the South Korean TV show follows the daily lives of celebrities living alone, but it has faced criticism of glamorizing alcohol consumption. Notable examples include Park Na-rae hosting drinking sessions at her home bar and webtoon artist Kian84 drinking soju directly from the bottle.

In its decision, the KCSC stated, “In a show intended for viewers aged 15 years and older, episodes repeatedly featured drinking scenes with captions such as 'the clean taste of straight soju’, ‘happiness in a full glass’ and 'the refreshing hit to the throat,' glamorizing alcohol consumption.”

It stressed that public broadcasters have a duty to raise awareness about the risks of alcohol consumption, but the program constantly “glorified drinking, exaggerating its effects as though alcohol were the ultimate solution for fatigue.”

As the government body responsible for regulating content on media and online platforms, the KCSC classifies its disciplinary decisions into administrative guidance and legal sanctions. Legal sanctions range from "caution" and "warning" to more severe measures such as "correction/modification/suspension of the program," "disciplinary action against responsible parties" and fines. These sanctions are considered serious, as they result in point deductions during broadcasters’ annual evaluations, which can impact their license renewal.

Source : https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241120050081

Comprehension

What is the main reason “I Live Alone” received a disciplinary measure?
Which broadcasting watchdog issued the caution against the show?
What is the target audience rating for "I Live Alone"?
What examples of glamorizing alcohol consumption were mentioned in the article?
What captions did the show use that were criticized for promoting alcohol consumption?
What responsibility does the KCSC believe public broadcasters have regarding alcohol?
What types of disciplinary decisions can the KCSC impose?
How can legal sanctions affect broadcasters' annual evaluations?

Discussion

Do you think showing alcohol consumption on TV influences young viewers? Why or why not?
Should broadcasters be more cautious about how they portray drinking? Why?
Why do you think some shows glamorize alcohol?
What are the potential dangers of normalizing alcohol consumption in media?
Have you seen shows or movies that portray drinking as glamorous? How did it make you feel?
Should there be stricter rules for alcohol-related content in media?
How can broadcasters promote responsible drinking instead of glamorizing it?
What role does media play in shaping societal attitudes toward alcohol?
Should TV shows rated for teenagers avoid depicting certain behaviors like drinking? Why?
How do media regulations differ in your country compared to South Korea?

Vocabulary

Disciplinary measure – An action taken to correct or punish a violation of rules.
Broadcasting watchdog – An organization that monitors and regulates media content.
Glamorizing – Making something seem more attractive or desirable than it really is.
Caption – Text displayed on a screen to describe or explain a scene or action.
Awareness – Knowledge or understanding about an issue.
Glorified – Praised or presented as more important or appealing than it is.
Sanction – A penalty or punishment for breaking rules or laws.
License renewal – The process of extending legal permission to operate, such as for broadcasters.