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Public outrage erupted after psychiatrist Oh Jin-seung falsely claimed royal heritage on a popular SBS entertainment program, raising concerns about the verification standards in Korean broadcast media.
During his appearance on SBS’s “We Will Channel You” on May 19, Oh introduced himself as a descendant of the Joseon Dynasty’s King Cheoljong. The psychiatrist, who frequently appears on television programs as an expert commentator, claimed his family possessed a royal genealogy book proving his ancestral connections to Korea’s last dynasty.
However, historical records and expert testimony quickly dismantled Oh’s claims. According to the Jongchinbu, the official organization that manages royal family records, King Cheoljong had only one son who died without leaving descendants. This historical fact directly contradicts Oh’s assertion of royal lineage.
The controversy deepened when the Jongchinbu issued a formal statement condemning Oh’s claims as “completely false” and “damaging to historical accuracy.” The organization emphasized that all legitimate royal descendants are meticulously documented, and Oh’s name appears nowhere in these official records.
“False claims about royal lineage not only mislead the public but also undermine the historical significance of Korea’s royal heritage,” said Kim Min-ho, a historian at Seoul National University who specializes in Joseon Dynasty genealogy. “These fabrications distort our understanding of Korean history and diminish the cultural value of authentic royal lineage records.”
SBS has come under fire for failing to verify Oh’s claims before broadcasting them to a national audience. Media critics point to this incident as part of a troubling trend where entertainment programs prioritize compelling narratives over factual accuracy. The network issued an apology on Wednesday, stating they “should have conducted more thorough verification” and promised to strengthen their fact-checking processes.
This controversy occurs amid growing concerns about the blurring lines between entertainment and information in Korean broadcasting. Several recent incidents have highlighted how celebrities and public figures can spread misinformation through entertainment platforms that lack the rigorous fact-checking standards of traditional news outlets.
The Korean Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) announced it would review the episode to determine if SBS violated broadcasting regulations. Under current guidelines, broadcasters must ensure that content doesn’t “significantly distort historical facts” or “deliberately mislead viewers.”
Oh initially defended his statements but later issued an apology on social media, claiming he had “misunderstood family stories” passed down through generations. Critics remain skeptical, noting that as a public figure with significant influence, he bears responsibility for verifying personal claims before sharing them on national television.
The incident has sparked broader discussions about the responsibilities of both media companies and public figures in an era of information abundance and declining trust in institutions. Media literacy experts suggest this case demonstrates the need for viewers to approach all information—even on entertainment programs—with critical thinking.
“When entertainment shows present information as factual, they shoulder the same responsibility as news programs to ensure accuracy,” said Park Ji-young, a media ethics professor at Yonsei University. “Viewers often don’t distinguish between claims made in entertainment contexts versus news contexts.”
Oh has built his media career as a mental health expert, appearing on numerous programs discussing psychology and relationships. Industry insiders suggest this controversy could impact his credibility and future television appearances.
The Royal Family Association of Korea has used this incident to highlight the importance of protecting historical accuracy and cultural heritage. The association announced plans to create educational resources that accurately document royal genealogy to prevent similar misrepresentations in the future.
As discussions continue, broadcasters across Korea are reportedly reviewing their fact-checking procedures, particularly for claims made by guests that involve historical or cultural significance. This incident serves as a reminder that even in entertainment contexts, accuracy matters—especially when it involves Korea’s rich cultural heritage and history.
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18 Comments
The Jongchinbu’s strong rebuke and emphasis on meticulous documentation of royal lineages underscores the importance of verifying such claims before amplifying them publicly. This incident raises concerns about the verification standards in Korean broadcast media.
While everyone is entitled to their family stories, falsely presenting oneself as royalty is unethical and disrespectful to Korea’s cultural heritage. The historical records clearly refute this person’s claims.
I agree. Distorting the historical record for personal gain is a serious breach of public trust. This incident highlights the need for greater scrutiny of guests on television programs, especially those presented as experts.
The historical records clearly refute this person’s claims. While everyone is entitled to their own family stories, falsely presenting oneself as royalty is unethical and disrespectful to Korea’s heritage.
Absolutely. Distorting the historical record for personal gain is a serious breach of public trust. This incident highlights the need for greater scrutiny of guests on television programs, especially those presented as experts.
This is a frustrating example of how misinformation can spread, even from seemingly credible sources. It’s crucial that media outlets fact-check claims, especially those related to sensitive historical and cultural topics like this one.
It’s disappointing to see a mental health professional engage in this kind of misleading behavior. Viewers should be able to trust experts who appear on TV programs. This incident raises questions about vetting procedures.
You make a good point. As an expert commentator, this psychiatrist should be held to high standards of accuracy and integrity. The broadcast network also shares responsibility for not catching this earlier.
It’s concerning to see a mental health professional engaging in this kind of deception. Viewers should be able to trust the experts featured on television programs. This raises questions about the vetting process for guests.
This incident highlights the need for greater scrutiny of guests on television programs, especially those presented as experts. Distorting the historical record for personal gain is a serious breach of public trust that should be swiftly condemned.
This is a frustrating example of how misinformation can spread, even from seemingly credible sources. It’s crucial that media outlets fact-check claims, especially those related to sensitive historical and cultural topics.
Well said. The broadcast network bears responsibility for not verifying this individual’s background before allowing him to make such bold, unfounded assertions on their program.
As an expert commentator, this psychiatrist should be held to high standards of accuracy and integrity. The broadcast network also shares responsibility for not catching this earlier and allowing the false claims to be aired.
Exactly. Distorting historical facts for personal gain is unacceptable, especially from someone presented as an authority figure. This case highlights the need for more rigorous vetting of guests on television programs.
Fact-checking and transparency around historical records are crucial to maintaining public trust in the media. This concerning case of someone falsely claiming royal heritage raises important questions about verification procedures.
Well said. The broadcast network’s failure to catch this earlier is a serious lapse that undermines confidence in their editorial standards. Greater scrutiny is needed to prevent the spread of misinformation, even from seemingly credible sources.
This is a concerning case of someone falsely claiming royal heritage for attention or personal gain. Fact-checking and transparency around historical records are crucial to maintain public trust in media.
Agreed. The Jongchinbu’s strong rebuke and emphasis on meticulous documentation of royal lineages underscores the importance of verifying such claims before amplifying them publicly.