According to reports on March 2, the show’s producers met last week with the family of late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong and representatives of the firefighters’ union. Both parties are currently in negotiations for a formal apology and follow-up measures. The production team has already announced plans to issue an official apology and re-edit the controversial segments in an effort to prevent further escalation.
The controversy initially erupted after a person identifying themselves as the late firefighter’s nephew shared an emotional message on social media. He described February as an extremely painful time for his family, explaining that they endured significant stress as they tried to correct what they believed was a grave wrong. He expressed frustration that, despite being the affected party, he felt compelled to personally ask for the matter to be acknowledged.
He also said he hopes the sacrifices of those who died in the line of duty will never be diminished again. According to him, if the matter remained unresolved, it would have left a lasting emotional burden on the family. He also thanked everyone who came out to support the fallen uniformed officers and their families, acknowledging that his voice alone would not be enough to draw attention to the issue.
Amid the negative reaction, some media reported that the production team had obtained consent to use the firefighter’s photo under the guise of creating a documentary honoring national heroes. However, this statement has since been clarified as a misunderstanding. The nephew explained that the family had simultaneously received a separate documentary proposal from another production company, which caused confusion. He stressed that reports suggesting the show falsely claimed to be producing a documentary were inaccurate, and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the misunderstanding.
The controversy arose from a mission in Battle of destinies in which fortune tellers were asked to deduce the cause of death of a deceased individual using limited clues. The inclusion of the late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong, who died in the 2001 Hongje-dong fire in Seoul’s Seodaemun district, sparked outrage from his family and the firefighters’ union. The program was also criticized for referencing the 2004 death of police officer Lee Jae-hyun, who was stabbed to death while arresting a violent suspect. what many considered an inappropriate way.
As criticism intensified, the production team said it listened carefully to the concerns of grieving families and related officials and decided to re-edit the relevant portions. They apologized to the affected families, firefighters, police officers and spectators, pledging to improve and strengthen their production processes for the future. The team also expressed respect for the noble sacrifices of the late firefighter Kim Cheol-hong and the late officer Lee Jae-hyun, while offering gratitude to public security officials who continue to risk their lives for citizens.
Battle of destinies is a survival variety show where 49 fortune tellers compete in various missions to test their skills. The show features a panel including broadcaster Jun Hyun-moo, comedian Park Na-rae, Kang Ji-young, actress Park Ha-sun and Super Junior’s Shindong.
Sources: Daum
