[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] The production team behind KBS’s new web variety show “Don Seon-tae’s Era of Success” (“Don Seon-tae”) issued an apology after netizens repeatedly accused them of “secondary victimization” regarding a video that covered girl group Lisanne member Won-i’s explanation of allegations linking her to “Ilbe” (Ilgan Best).

On the 30th, the “Don Seon-tae” production team posted an apology on the KBS YouTube channel “K-Backsu Original,” stating, “We sincerely apologize for causing discomfort and concern to many people due to the video’s thumbnail, title, and hashtags.”
They added, “We deeply reflect on the fact that we should have been more cautious during the content production process,” and stated, “We will use this incident as an opportunity to produce content with a more careful and responsible attitude.”
The production team said, “We once again sincerely apologize to everyone we have caused discomfort to,” and added, “We especially extend our apologies to Lisenne and Kim Seon-tae. We will strive to make it up to you with better content.”
Previously, the production team of “Don Seon-tae” had uploaded a preview clip the day before to “Kebaksu Original” titled “Why Is My Name Coming Up in Political Circles?!,” featuring Lisenne members Won-i and Minami as guests.
The video shows host Kim Seon-tae asking Lisenne member Won-i to explain the “Ilbe” allegations that surfaced earlier this month. Won-i, who is from Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, had previously been embroiled in controversy after saying “Museupno” on Lisenne’s own web variety show, which was interpreted as using “Ilbe” slang. This marks the first time Won-i has directly addressed the controversy.
In the video, Kim Seon-tae began by saying to Won-i, “If we were to talk lightly about the ‘Museopno’ incident, it’s just a minor incident, but…”
In response, Won-i said, “I was actually really shocked. I’d only ever imagined myself appearing on music shows, so seeing myself in the news overnight was really scary.” She added, “After that, I felt I had to be very careful with every word I said. Even if I didn’t mean it that way, some people might interpret it that way.”
Won-i also explained, “‘-no’ is actually used a lot as an interjection,” adding, “I just used the words I normally use.” In response, Kim Seon-tae remarked, “I acknowledge that perspectives differ, but this was on the level of ‘unjustified criticism,’” to which Won-i confessed, “I was also worried it might affect the group.”
Later, when Kim Seon-tae asked, “Please speak in your dialect clearly just once,” Won-i replied, “I don’t even know what that is. I really don’t know. I just used it. Please take it in a good light.”
After the video was released, some netizens pointed out that the production team of “Don Seon-tae” had rehashed a controversy that had already been resolved in an attempt to generate buzz for the new program, thereby inflicting “secondary harm” on the Lisenne members.
Criticism also arose regarding the production team’s decision to include the phrase “What’s so scary?” in the video thumbnail and to add hashtags featuring the names of politicians and business leaders who had no direct connection to the content.
The production team subsequently changed the thumbnail text to “Even if you look at it kindly,” but when the controversy persisted, they made the video private.
“Don Seon-tae” is a program in which Kim Seon-tae invites individuals who have achieved success stories to his rented apartment in Seoul to chat and ask them about the secrets to their success.
Host Kim Seon-tae is a YouTuber and former civil servant who was in charge of public relations for Chungju City. During his time as a civil servant, he gained popularity by appearing in content on Chungju City’s YouTube channel, earning him the nickname “Chungju Man.” The episode featuring Lisanne, released that day, was content previewed ahead of the program’s official launch.