Lee Soo Ji Issues Handwritten Apology Following Parody Video Controversy
Comedian and television personality Lee Soo Ji has issued a heartfelt, handwritten apology following a recent controversy surrounding a parody video uploaded to her YouTube channel, ‘Hot Issue Ji’. The video, titled “The Real Extreme Job: Civil Servant,” aimed to shed light on the challenging working conditions faced by civil servants, including issues like malicious complaints, low salaries, and excessive workloads.
However, the sketch quickly drew criticism from some viewers who perceived elements of the video as evoking scenes from an election rally. This interpretation led to concerns that the parody inadvertently linked political demonstrators with abusive complainants, sparking a significant backlash. In response to the growing controversy, the production team promptly made the video private just one day after its release and subsequently issued an official apology.
Addressing Discomfort and Delayed Response
On August 1 KST, Lee Soo Ji personally addressed the situation, posting a sincere handwritten letter on the community page of her channel. She began by expressing deep regret to all viewers who experienced discomfort or disappointment after watching the controversial episode. “I sincerely bow my head and apologize to everyone who felt discomfort or disappointment because of the video recently uploaded to the Hot Issue Ji channel,” she wrote, emphasizing her remorse.
Lee Soo Ji also acknowledged her delayed response, expressing regret for not addressing the situation sooner. “There is no excuse for not addressing the situation and apologizing sooner to those who may have been hurt,” she stated. She took full responsibility for the outcome, regardless of her original comedic intentions. “Regardless of my intention to create laughter, I take seriously the fact that the result caused pain and discomfort to some people.”
A Pledge for Responsible Humor
Reflecting on her public appearance at the Blue Dragon Series Awards, Lee Soo Ji explained that it was her first official event since the controversy began. While she had considerable reflection beforehand, she felt the setting did not allow her to fully communicate her thoughts on the matter.
Moving forward, Lee Soo Ji pledged to use this incident as a critical opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. She promised to approach her future work with greater care and responsibility, committing to delivering healthy and relatable humor. “I will strive to become a comedian who delivers healthy humor that more people can relate to and enjoy together,” she concluded, aiming to rebuild trust and continue entertaining her audience responsibly.
