Kim Won-hoon faces sexual harassment backlash after insensitive remarks in a civilian interview on Negotiation King, reigniting criticism over past Hyeri comment.
Comedian Kim Won-hoon faces a wave of criticism after making sexually suggestive comments during a street interview on “Negotiation King.” This incident adds to past controversies, including a tense exchange with Hyeri, renewing concerns about his behavior.
Inappropriate Remarks During Street Interview
On March 27, “Negotiation King” aired its first episode, featuring Kim Won-hoon conducting street interviews about an ice cream brand. During an interview with a couple, Kim asked the man where they were going. When the man said they were heading to Seolleung Station, Kim made a remark about the area being known for motels. He then questioned the man about where he “came out from” and gestured towards his mouth, implying lipstick marks.
Viewers quickly condemned Kim’s comments, labeling them as sexual harassment. The inappropriate motel jokes and suggestive gestures caused significant outrage. This incident has raised questions about Kim Won-hoon’s future on the show and the direction of his hosting.
Production Team’s Apology
The “Negotiation King” production team issued an apology for Kim Won-hoon’s remarks. They acknowledged the inappropriate expressions during the street interview and apologized to the civilian involved and viewers who felt discomfort.
The production team stated, “We sincerely apologize to the civilian involved and viewers who may have felt discomfort due to some inappropriate expressions during the first episode’s street interview segment.” They also said that the scene was being edited and that they would approach future production with more caution.
Past Controversy with Hyeri
This isn’t the first time Kim Won-hoon has been criticized for rude remarks. On the variety show “Office Workers,” he questioned Hyeri about her past Instagram post, which led to her saying, “I think you can only say it’s fun when it’s fun, but it’s not fun right now.” In March 2024, Hyeri posted “Interesting” following dating rumors involving Ryu Jun-yeol and Han So-hee, which caused public speculation. Hyeri later apologized for the confusion.
This past incident with Hyeri, combined with the recent sexual harassment accusations, has amplified public scrutiny of Kim Won-hoon’s conduct.
