“Music Bank” Responds To Requests For Banning IZ*ONE’s Appearance On Program
Viewers of Music Bank have recently uploaded posts requesting that IZ*ONE be banned from appearing on the program due to their alleged right-wing controversies.
Netizens File Blue House Petition Against IZ*ONE’s Appearance On “Music Bank”
IZ*ONE, the girl group created through Mnet’s Produce 48, was involved in “right-wing controversies” as soon as they debuted. It began when a photo of one of the Japanese members began to spread. The photo showed the idol singing “Kimigayo” (the Japanese national anthem) wearing a costume with the rising sun flag at the Yasukuni Shrine during her promotions with AKB48.
After seeing the photos, the public began requesting that IZ*ONE be banned from appearing on numerous broadcasting stations including KBS and a Blue House petition was even filed in regards to the issue.
“Please ban the right-wing Japanese group IZ*ONE from appearing on public broadcasting.”
On November 22, Music Bank responded to the post from KBS’ Viewer Rights Center website titled, “We request that the group IZ*ONE, which was produced by a right-wing producer and has a right-wing member, be banned from appearing [on the show].”
“In regard to matters of IZ*ONE, we have not been notified by the Review Board of any guidelines on their appearance or regulations and in terms of the songs to be broadcast, all songs excluding ‘Your in Love, Right?’, which is written entirely in Japanese, has been qualified as ‘appropriate for broadcasting’. None of the performers of Music Bank including the group in question are on the ‘Restricted Persons List’ set by the Review Board.”
ㅡ Music Bank
They added that they do not deem it appropriate to regulate the appearance of certain performers without clear regulatory basis and guidelines.
“We do not believe it is appropriate to regulate the appearance of specific performers based on the arbitrary decision of the program staff without clear regulatory basis and guidelines on the music and cast.”
ㅡ Music Bank
Read Music Bank‘s full statement below:
“This is the KBS Music Bank staff.
First of all, we bow our heads in appreciation of your love and interest in Music Bank.
This is our response to the issue of IZ*ONE’s appearance.
KBS has our own Review Board that is responsible for reviewing content, regulating the cast, reviewing music, etc. Those who have sparked social controversies are put on the Restricted Persons List and the Review Board decides whether to halt their broadcast appearances or not. In regard to matters of IZ*ONE, we have not been notified by the Review Board of any guidelines on their appearance or regulations and in terms of the songs to be broadcast, all songs excluding ‘Your in Love, Right?(好きになっちゃうだろう?) (IZ*ONE ver.)’, which is written entirely in Japanese, has been qualified as ‘appropriate for broadcasting’. None of the performers of Music Bank including the group in question are on the ‘Restricted Persons List’ set by the Review Board. Moreover, we are working on the broadcast with the music that has been passed prior review. We do not believe it is appropriate to regulate the appearance of specific performers based on the arbitrary decision of the program staff without clear regulatory basis and guidelines on the music and cast.
Of course, if regulations and restrictions are confirmed by the Review Board due to clear reasons for broadcast restriction (decisive evidence on right-wing activities that go against the national sentiment of South Korea), our staff will comply with them faithfully.
KBS Music Bank complies with the review regulations of the Korea Communications Commission and KBS.
Once again, we thank you for your interest, support and suggestions.”
