Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, expressed his anger after a meeting with former MBC PD Kim Jae-hwan, who raised allegations of 'abuse of power'.
In an interview with News1 on the 11th, Baek mentioned that he had a conversation with former PD Kim for four and a half hours, stating, “I spoke sincerely, but what I received in return was even more severe distortion. To protect the franchise owners across the country, whom Kim has repeatedly emphasized, I will no longer sit idly by and will respond.”
Previously, former PD Kim had made headlines by exposing that Baek Jong-won had engaged in abuse of power during the production process of a broadcast. He also released an interview conducted unexpectedly with Baek, who had just returned from filming the tvN entertainment program 'Master in the House 3' in France, on his YouTube channel.
In response, Baek stated, “When Kim first raised the issue, I reflected on myself. I became concerned that in my eagerness to create the best program, I might have hurt someone, and I also engaged in deep reflection.”
He continued, “(Former PD Kim) suddenly approached me at the airport with a camera, but I listened to his criticisms for a considerable time and even suggested that we have a more open conversation. The next day, when we met alone at the office, I personally went to greet him and helped with parking, showing respect, and we talked sincerely for four and a half hours without a break.”
However, Baek revealed that after the meeting, he confirmed that former PD Kim had followed his vehicle and edited the secretly recorded conversation to distort it, broadcasting it on his YouTube channel. He also expressed regret over Kim's mocking remarks in a video just before their meeting, suggesting that “Baek could bring gangsters” and “if a bribe is given, he would pretend to accept it and report it.”
Baek stated, “I accept that Kim pointed out the harm to the franchise owners, but now it is showing a direction different from the original purpose,” and raised his voice, saying, “This behavior is no different from the practices of general YouTubers who engage in sensational topics contrary to public interest.”
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
