The last scene of the most recent episode of You Quiz On The Block has caused a backlash unprecedented for the once-beloved show.
On April 27, the show ended its episode with the production staff responding to the controversy surrounding President-elect Yoon Seok Yeol‘s episode.
The epilogue, fashioned as a journal entry, was meant to be a poignant reflection on the past week and serve as the first time the show has formally responded to the criticism. The show expressed appreciation for their hosts, Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho stating, “Yoo Jae Suk empathizes more with guest’s pain than he does himself, and Jo Se Ho helps Yoo Jae Suk be the best version of himself.”
The show then had some choice words for its detractors, stating,
We can justifiably yell. Do not step or trespass on our garden. Our garden belongs to the people more beautiful than flowers. You will know soon enough. Sincerely, from the production staff so that we aren’t embarrassed to our future selves
—You Quiz On The Block production staff
Rather than quelling viewers’ concerns, the segment has caused a firestorm in the show’s comment section. There have been over 500 comments in the first 24 hours of the episode airing.
Some netizens were incensed at the staff’s insensitive stance in regards to the controversy, writing, “It is the viewers who made your garden bloom, and it is you who has cut it down,” “Viewers have made the garden together,” and “This is so disappointing, I won’t be watching anymore.”
Many netizens accused the staff of hiding behind their MC Yoo Jae Suk and Jo Se Ho, “You guys use helpless celebrities as a shield, state your stance yourselves,” “Stop hiding behind Yoo Jae Suk,” and, “If the production staff made this mess, it should be them that should apologize.”
Other netizens shielded the production staff writing, “I will remember the garden,” “The ending for the episode was great,” “Don’t you guys know, the staff is helpless just take orders,” “Yoo Jae Suk, hwaiting“, and “The ending is sad since you can tell the production staff has gone through so much.”
The show has been mired in controversy since the April 20 episode, which featured President-elect Yoon Seok Yeol. The controversy stems from the fact that it is taboo in Korean entertainment to take political sides.
The flames of the controversy were stroked further when news came out that out-going current President Moon Jae In and his staff had been rejected by the show an runner-up Presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung. Both Moon Jae In and Lee Jae Myung are from the liberal party, while Yoon Seok Yeol is a conservative. The presumed slights to President Moon Jae In and Lee Jae Myung are assumed to be due to their political affiliation.
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