KBS2’s ‘Animals Are Wonderful’ has belatedly apologized for the controversy of glorifying slaughterhouse workers.
The team behind ‘Animals Are Wonderful’ (hereafter ‘Donghullyung’) posted an announcement on their official website on the 4th, titled “Regarding the Broadcast of ‘Animals Are Wonderful’ Episode 2: ‘The Special Story of the Dog Bathhouse’.”
In the announcement, the production team stated, “In the broadcast on November 23 of last year, we aired the story of a participant who changed their business to a dog bathhouse, mentioning an incident that led to this change, which was the story of ‘a dog believed to be for consumption was actually a kidnapped pet,’ known as the ‘Gupo Osun Kidnapping Case.’” They added, “The owner of the kidnapped dog informed us that they are still suffering psychological distress from that incident.”
They continued, “We have deleted the relevant video” and expressed, “We regret to the owner of the dog involved.”
Previously, in the broadcast of ‘Animals Are Wonderful’ on November 23, the story of Mr. A, who changed his business from a herbal medicine shop to a dog bathhouse after 35 years, was introduced.
Mr. A revealed that he felt guilty for having received money from a customer who stole a homeless dog and slaughtered it, and that he is now operating a dog bathhouse to provide bathing services. The dog that was slaughtered, Osun, was wearing a red collar, indicating it was a pet, but Mr. A did not seek to find its owner before slaughtering it.
Immediately after the broadcast, the viewer's bulletin board was flooded with criticism, stating, “They glorified a dog slaughterer.”
The Animal Freedom Union stated, “In a broadcast that claimed to promote a proper pet culture, they defended and glorified an animal abuser,” adding, “Mr. A said on the show, ‘I want to repay pet owners with a heart of atonement for 35 years,’ but he has never apologized to Osun’s owner,” and officially protested to the ‘Animals Are Wonderful’ team, demanding a correction broadcast.
As the controversy grew, the ‘Animals Are Wonderful’ team suspended the VOD replay service.
<Below is the full apology from ‘Animals Are Wonderful’>
[Notice] Regarding the broadcast of “Animals Are Wonderful Episode 2: ‘The Special Story of the Dog Bathhouse’”
This broadcast mentioned the story of a participant who changed their business to a dog bathhouse during the broadcast of “Animals Are Wonderful Episode 2: ‘The Special Story of the Dog Bathhouse’” on November 23, 2024, referring to the incident that led to this change, which was the story of “a dog believed to be for consumption was actually a kidnapped pet,” known as the ‘Gupo Osun Kidnapping Case.’
In response, the owner of the kidnapped dog informed us, “I am still suffering psychological distress from that incident.” Therefore, we have deleted the relevant video.
We express our regret to the owner of the dog involved.
This notice is in accordance with the mediation of the Press Arbitration Commission.
