TV Presenters in Hot Water Over Sexy Photo
Spread
Presenters from Korea's three terrestrial networks -- MBC's Lee
Jung-min, KBS's Kim Kyoung-ran, and SBS's Kim Ji-yeon -- have all
posed for a sexy photo shoot that will appear in the September
issue of men's magazine Arena.
In a press release, the magazine says the sexy transformation of
the three was due to the makeup, revealing clothes and hairstyle
they sport in the shots. Along with the release, the magazine sent
a sneak preview of the three in relatively suggestive outfits. Lee
Jung-min (MBC) appears in an off-the-s! houlder dress, Kim
Ji-yeon's outfit shows off her chest, and Kim Kyoung-ran's getup
emphasizes her waist.
But trouble is brewing since a couple of the presenters failed to
report their external activity to their employers, as required by
company policy. Guardians of morality also say it is unacceptable
for figures on public television, where a certain level of dignity
needs to be preserved, to appear in suggestive photographs.
MBC says Lee Jung-min made no report before shooting the photo
spread, in a "clear violation" of company policy, "After receiving
the details, we will decide what measures to take," it said.
"According to Lee's explanation, she received an assurance from the
magazine that it would not run any advance PR and said that the
content of the spread are far from suggestive, Lee herself appears
to have been fooled, so we will most likely be able to allow for
extenuating circumstances." Lee has declined to comment.
SBS says it was! a mistake of Kim Ji-yeon not let the company know,
but the magazine m ay not have been on the straight and narrow, so
there is no need for disciplinary measures. KBS is also looking
into the details, but Kim Kyoung-ran had told the company about the
shoot in advance, and since her pictures cannot be said to have
been any more provocative than those of the other presenters, there
does not seem to be a problem.
Lee Jung-min hosts MBC's "Wonder World", "Sports News" and"Sports
Magazine." Kim Kyoung-ran hosts KBS's "Sponge," "Open Concert"and
"Movie Conquest", while Kim Ji-yeon presents the SBS show "Morning
Wide."