The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Thu, May 19, 2022 | 22:08
Politics
TV guidelines on 'look-alike' K-pop singers spark controversy
Posted : 2019-02-18 18:05
Updated : 2019-02-19 17:12
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Minister of Gender Equality and Family Jin Sun-mee speaks at the government complex building in central Seoul, last December, about her countermeasures against school sex crimes. / Yonhap
Minister of Gender Equality and Family Jin Sun-mee speaks at the government complex building in central Seoul, last December, about her countermeasures against school sex crimes. / Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

The government's new guidelines for local broadcasters and TV show producers have sparked controversy here over a suggestion to refrain from showing too many K-pop stars that have similar appearances.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF) released the revised guidelines Saturday in an effort to prevent "lookism," which TV can appear to promote.

One of the clauses in the guidelines recommends restricting the number of idol singers appearing on a TV show at any given time, saying they all look alike which suggests narrow beauty standards for young viewers who admire K-pop groups.

"Are the singers on TV music shows twins? They seriously look identical. Most are idol group members," the guidelines say. "Most of them are skinny and have similar hairstyles and makeup with outfits exposing their bodies."

Regarding the guidelines, people asked why the government was trying to regulate the "norm of beauty."

Criticizing the guidelines, Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party said on Facebook, "The gender ministry says K-pop idols should not star together on television because they are all skinny and pretty with pale skin. What's the difference between this and the crackdowns on the length of hair and skirts during the military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan?"

The politician said there is no objective standard for appearance, saying this was a matter of individual people's taste, not something to be regulated by the government.

But some said they understand the purpose of the guidelines, especially pointing out that the outfits for girl group members are focused on commercializing sex. "I agree with the ministry's efforts to make changes in the broadcasting scenes where commercialization of sex is prevalent," an internet user said.

The ministry said Monday that the guidelines only aim at raising awareness on the negative effects of lookism on public health, adding the recommendations were not mandatory and TV producers can decide whether to reflect them in their programming.


Emailjhkim@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]
  • Kim says Chinese permanent residents should be stripped of right to vote in Korea
  • Anti-LGBTQ sentiment widespread in Korea: survey
  • South Korea to join US-led Indo-Pacific economic initiative
  • Korea to resume issuing short-term travel visas, e-visas next month
  • CJ, Ottogi uneasy about Harim's tactics to sell new cooked rice
  • Protecting Korea's semiconductor leadership
  • [INTERVIEW] Yoon's efforts to bolster Korea-US alliance will inevitably disturb China
  • North Korea asks China, Russia for help amid COVID crisis: reports
  • Luna debacle casts ripple effect over Korean stocks
  • Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram's bullying allegations resurface Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram's bullying allegations resurface
  • PSY's first boy group TNX makes much-anticipated debut with EP 'Way Up' PSY's first boy group TNX makes much-anticipated debut with EP 'Way Up'
  • Girls' Generation to make comeback in August after five years Girls' Generation to make comeback in August after five years
  • Musical 'Beethoven' to hit stage next year Musical 'Beethoven' to hit stage next year
  • 'Doctor Strange 2' tops 5 million admissions 'Doctor Strange 2' tops 5 million admissions
DARKROOM
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic [PHOTOS]

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group