‘My Little Old Boy’ hit by fresh accusations of staged scenes

Actor Kim Min-jong / Captured from Nobacktac YouTube channel

SBS variety show “My Little Old Boy” is facing renewed controversy over alleged staging, as recent segments involving actor Kim Min-jong and former badminton star Lee Yong-dae raise questions about how much of the program’s “reality” is actually real.

Kim recently said on another broadcast that he was unhappy with how “My Little Old Boy” edited his appearance. He said he filmed scenes in a container house in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, shortly after his mother’s passing, but the show presented it as his actual home.

“I filmed in a container house in Yangpyeong, and the broadcast made it look like I lived there,” he said.

In the episode, cameras showed Kim waking up in a mountain container, washing with wet tissues, and eating instant rice cake soup alone. Viewers expressed sympathy, believing he was living in isolation.

It was later revealed that the location was a set prepared by the production team, prompting criticism that the program’s concept as an observational reality show does not match its methods.

The show came under scrutiny again after Lee Yong-dae appeared in a blind date segment. When dating rumors spread following the broadcast, viewers questioned whether the setup had been real, especially in light of Kim’s remarks about staged scenes. Lee has earned public trust by speaking candidly about divorce and parenting, and the scene’s timing intensified concerns.

Actor Lee Yi-kyung / Captured from his social media

The appeal of observational entertainment rests on authenticity. The genre depends on natural daily life, unplanned interactions, and genuine emotional arcs. Once artificial settings are introduced, its credibility weakens and is difficult to restore.

Actor Lee Yi-kyung also amplified criticism over excessive directing in entertainment shows. Addressing a past controversy about his private life, he also spoke about the “noodle-slurping controversy” that occurred on MBC’s “Hangout with Yoo.”

Lee said he had refused to take part in the bit, but the staff persuaded him, saying they had rented an entire noodle shop for the shoot. He said his on-camera remark that it was “just for entertainment” was edited out.

When the segment later sparked backlash, he said the production team brushed it off by saying they had been “in a hurry,” leaving him to face the criticism alone and damaging his public image.

Direction is part of entertainment production, but viewers and critics say the line between directing and manipulating must remain clear. Crossing it risks harming the program itself, especially one as long-running as “My Little Old Boy.”

The current controversy recalls the early 2020s, when dating reality shows and idol survival programs faced backlash over manipulated editing. TV Chosun’s “Wife's Taste,” which ended amid fabrication allegations, remains a notable example.

Viewers today do not overlook production intent. In observational shows, anything fake that appears real can become damaging.

As “My Little Old Boy” highlights stars navigating personal struggles, maintaining authenticity is essential. Critics say direction that manufactures a narrative rather than capturing one feels increasingly risky.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.