Broadcaster Hari Soo expressed anger over a scam involving transgender surgery fees.
On the 24th, the MBC entertainment program ‘Real Story Investigation’ delved into the case of a major player in the transgender industry known as ‘Mama’.
On that day, a tipster approached the production team and said, “My son said he wants to undergo transgender surgery. I tried to stop him while crying. He said he wants to become a woman,” adding, “I was very surprised. I couldn’t understand. The child is quiet, but not feminine,” while shedding tears.
Kim Do-hyun (pseudonym) lived with his father after his parents' divorce. His father also mentioned, “He was sensitive and not rough. He probably thought he fit in better with girls than with boys his age.”
Feeling confused about his gender identity, Do-hyun learned about a person named ‘Mama’ online. Mama, pretending to be a major player in the transgender industry, promised Do-hyun that he would invest 189 million won for his transgender surgery. A broker known as A, who was said to be a business partner, made a reservation for the surgery at a hospital in Thailand and later demanded reservation extension fees and cancellation fees from Do-hyun's parents.
Do-hyun blindly trusted Mama and broker A, even resorting to loan sharks, but he was unable to repay the debts. The debt collection extended to his parents.
As a result of the production team's investigation, it was revealed that Mama and A were the same person. Even after this fact was uncovered, Mama shamelessly approached Do-hyun's parents, while Do-hyun continued to show trust in Mama and A, evoking sympathy.
In response, guest Hari Soo stated, “You got caught up in something that doesn’t make sense,” and expressed her sympathy for Do-hyun’s situation, saying, “This is the first time I’ve heard of someone named Mama. I have nothing to do with the transgender community.”
As Do-hyun continued to express trust in Mama, Hari Soo eventually said, “I’ve been in the transgender community for 34 years. It’s absurd to call oneself a major player after 13 years,” and emphasized, “I’m also cautious about saying that. If someone is kind without any purpose, they are the most dangerous scammers.”
She also attempted to contact Mama directly, questioning, “Are you really a transgender? What bar do you operate?” Mama avoided answering and ended the call.
In a previously released preview, Hari Soo expressed her anger upon hearing about Mama’s scam, demanding 180 million won for transgender surgery, saying, “What kind of nonsense are you talking about?” which drew attention.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
