Korean Celebrities Expose Hazing Culture In The Industry

Korean celebrities revealed anecdotes about the strict military-like discipline culture that was prevalent in the industry, including being slapped by a senior.

On the episode of KBS2’s Malja Show aired on November 2nd, discussions took place about the strict rules and hierarchical discipline culture between seniors and juniors in the comedy industry.

On the show, Song Joon Geun talked about comedians’ lifestyle rules, saying, “Comedians have regulations even regarding their attire.” Kim Won Hyo then recalled some mistakes he made in the past, describing the atmosphere at the time.

Jung Beom Kyun also shared his experience of being scolded by a senior. He said, “We were often reprimanded for making mistakes (NG takes). One day, Kim Won Hyo and I messed up. The senior asked, ‘Who made the NG? Raise your hand.’ I raised mine, and then I immediately got slapped on the cheek.”

The more surprising part was Kim Won Hyo’s reaction next to him. Jung said, “After being hit, I turned my head and saw Kim Won Hyo lowering his hand. Only I got slapped, and it ended there.”

In response, Kim Won Hyo insisted he was innocent and explained the situation. He said, “What kind of bragging is it to raise your hand for an NG? The atmosphere felt awkward, and I was hesitating whether I should raise my hand, but then Jung Beom Kyun said, ‘It’s me!’ and raised his hand. The senior saw that and immediately slapped him.”

He added, “I’m also human; I couldn’t just say, ‘I raised my hand too, so hit me.’ Seeing Jung Beom Kyun get hit, I thought ‘oh no’ and lowered my hand.”

This is not the first time the violent disciplinary culture in the comedy industry has been revealed.

On the 25th of last month, on the YouTube channel Gag Women, Jung Kyung Mi, Kim Kyung Ah, Oh Na Mi, and Jo Seung Hee shared experiences of being excluded from seniors’ meals, having to eat leftovers or secretly grab food in the restroom, evoking sympathy.

In July, comedian Jung Cheol Gyu also shared an incident where he was physically assaulted by a senior comedian during his active years.

Jung recalled, “I was in a meeting with a writer when a senior asked me to step outside. The senior said, ‘Who said you’re getting ₩30.0 million KRW (about $22,300 USD)?’ and told me to get into the car.”

He added, “I thought we were going somewhere when he fastened my seatbelt, but then he started the engine, turned it off, and slapped me hard on the cheek. He kept hitting only one side, and it hurt a lot. When I turned my head, he said, ‘What are you looking at?’ and kept hitting the other side too,” revealing the assault.