MBN Anchor Ridicules Tiffany On Air For Recent Controversy

On the August 17 airing of the MBN show entitled "News Fighter," anchor Kim Myung Joon seemed to ridicule SNSD's Tiffany over her recent controversy related to South Korea's Liberation Day and the photos she posted on her social media accounts that show the rising sun flag of Japan.

In an article, Soompi reported that Kim, during his opening comments, asked the viewers, "How did you enjoy the special National Liberation Day films that were aired on television?"

He went on stating, "First up, National Liberation Day special film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.' You're asking when did 'Breakfast at Tiffany's air on television? It did air. [I am talking about] the rising sun flag controversy that Girls' Generation's Tiffany caused on the morning of Liberation Day. She gifted us a truly upsetting morning."

Also, during the end of his segment, Kim reported that South Korea lost to Japan during the women's doubles badminton in the ongoing Rio Olympics, and again, mentioned Tiffany. He said, "[The loss] is unfortunate, but we still must celebrate what we must celebrate. Congratulations, Tiffany. We will end 'News Fighter' here today."

These remarks created an uproar from the Korean netizens and demands Kim to issue an apology. However, Allkpop reported that a representative from MBN stated, "He (Anchor Kim) has no intention to apologize."

Some of the comments from the netizens include, "Kim Myung Joon, you have to write an apology, too. Why are you talking so thoughtlessly? What does the South Korea-Japan badminton match have to do with Tiffany," "When did Tiffany ever cheer on Japan more than Korea? I'm guessing MBN's Kim Myung Joon knows," "How can you step on someone like that? Does your fame rise if you do that? An anchor should only report the truth," "I was going to ignore this because channel MBN's views are to the floor, but I cannot let an announcer spread lies and slander others on a whim like that. Why did he bring up Tiffany when he reported on the South Korea-Japan badminton match on August 16," and more.

To add fire to the controversy involving Tiffany, some reports also claim that a proposed bill to prevent the use of the rising sun flag in Korea, which has been in discussion in 2013, might be reviewed and become a law. The bill suggests that anyone found using a symbol associated or related to Japanese imperialism will serve at least one year in prison, or fined at least 3,000,000 KRW (2,700 USD).

According to an associate of the National Assembly, "In light of the most recent controversy, there's a possibility that this bill will be put into discussion [this time]."