Allegations have emerged that the late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna was a victim of workplace bullying. As the names of suspected perpetrators have been identified, the incident is spreading like wildfire, with former MBC employees criticizing the internal atmosphere.
On the 2nd, former weathercaster Bae Soo-yeon posted on social media, saying, "My heart is so heavy. MBC, especially the weather team I was part of... I really don't know what to say about such a tragic event happening. I can only feel devastated by the news that comes in every day."
She continued, "Even when I left MBC, it was the same. No one paid any attention to my voice as a mere freelance weathercaster in their eyes. MBC. The news department. The weather team. I loved my work and workplace so much, but I definitely learned about the dark side of that place back then. I thought things might have changed a bit now, but how can it still be so unchanged..." referring to the injustices she experienced during her time at MBC.
Former MBC weathercaster and broadcaster Park Eun-ji also addressed the issue. On the 1st, she posted on social media, "As a former MBC weathercaster, my heart is so heavy. Although I have never met the junior, I hope they are not suffering right now," expressing her condolences for the deceased.
She added, "I know how scary and lonely that pain is, having endured seven long years myself. I am so sorry I couldn't be of help. The deeply rooted culture of workplace bullying must be fully revealed now," subtly indicating that she had also gone through similar issues in the past.
As former MBC weathercasters expressed their condolences and opinions, netizens reacted with comments like "It needs to be reformed," "Isn't there serious internal abuse?" "Broadcasting companies have serious problems," "It seems there are issues based on the testimonies," "It must be thoroughly investigated," "Aren't there more victims?" and "Could there be more perpetrators?"
Meanwhile, Lee Moon-jung, a show host and a fellow MBC weathercaster who joined at the same time as Park Eun-ji, faced backlash for posting a message with a very different tone. On the 1st, she wrote on social media, "Isn't it necessary to hear both sides of the story and make a judgment?" and "A society that only listens to one side and pushes to extremes; the truth will be revealed. You must endure well."
Following this, netizens raised suspicions that Lee Moon-jung was targeting the deceased, to which she clarified, "The story I posted was a personal thought unrelated to Oh Yoanna. It has been several years since I left MBC, and I have never met Oh Yoanna, but I feel so sorry and heartbroken as it is a matter concerning a former junior. How could I dare to fathom the grief of the bereaved?" She added, "Please do not make any more malicious interpretations," and expressed her hope that MBC would reveal the truth wisely.
As former weathercasters speak out, those at the center of the controversy remain silent. The MBC weathercasters include six individuals: the deceased, Park Ha-myung, Kim Ga-young, Choi Ah-ri, Lee Hyun-seung, and Geum Chae-rim. In a group chat excluding the deceased and Geum Chae-rim, four members were seen making remarks about the deceased such as "Completely crazy," "Smells bad," "Another one," and "Yeon-jin from 'The Glory' did well on air," which led to them being identified as perpetrators of workplace bullying.
Meanwhile, the late Oh Yoanna joined MBC as a public recruitment weathercaster in 2021. Last December, it was belatedly revealed that she had passed away three months earlier, in September, causing great sorrow.
When the news of her death was reported, the cause was not disclosed, but it was reported that a 17-page suicide note was found on her mobile phone on the 27th of last month, raising suspicions that she took her own life due to workplace bullying. The bereaved family filed a civil lawsuit against a colleague who appeared to have engaged in workplace bullying at the Seoul Central District Court last December.
MBC initially stated, "The deceased never reported her grievances to the responsible department or management while working as a freelancer," and added, "If the bereaved family requests fact-checking based on the newly discovered note, MBC is prepared to initiate an investigation as soon as possible." They also expressed concern about groups approaching the issue as if they were seizing an opportunity to 'shake MBC' without knowing the exact facts.
However, as circumstantial evidence suggesting that the deceased was a victim of workplace bullying emerged and public criticism intensified, MBC announced on the 31st of last month that "to clarify the cause and truth of Oh Yoanna's death, we have decided to form an investigation committee with an external expert as the chair." On the 3rd, they announced the completion of the committee's formation and explained, "We plan to complete the investigation as quickly as possible."
The police have also launched an investigation. The Mapo Police Station in Seoul received a public complaint requesting an investigation into the incident and has begun preliminary inquiries.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
