Disney+ variety show Battle of Fates is facing heavy backlash after airing a segment where fortune-tellers guessed the cause of death of a real-life firefighter who died in the line of duty. The controversy deepened after a person claiming to be the late firefighter’s nephew accused the production team of misleading the family about the show’s format to get their consent.
The show, which premiered its first four episodes on February 11, brings together 49 fortune-tellers—including shamans, tarot readers, and fate analysts—to compete in various missions. What was meant to be a supernatural entertainment program has now turned into a public relations crisis for the streaming platform.
The Segment That Sparked Outrage
In Episode 2 of Battle of Fates, the production team introduced a mission called “Determining the Cause of Death of the Deceased.” For this task, contestants were given limited information about people who had passed away, including their photos, birth dates, and times of death. The fortune-tellers then used their abilities to deduce how these individuals died .
One of the cases featured was that of the late Fire Sergeant Kim Cheol-hong, a firefighter who died while battling a blaze in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, back in 2001. Official records show that Kim was trapped under collapsing structure during the fire and lost his life in the line of duty .
During the broadcast, viewers watched as shamans and fortune-tellers speculated about whether Kim died from fire, collapse, or crushing based on their spiritual readings and intuition. The show also captured the reactions of celebrity panelists who appeared shocked by the revelations .
For many watching at home, turning a real person’s tragic death into a guessing game crossed a line.
Family Claims They Were Misled About Show’s Purpose
The situation escalated when an online user identifying themselves as the deceased firefighter’s nephew posted on social media, raising serious questions about how the show obtained permission from the family .
According to the post, the production team initially approached the family describing the project as a “documentary about heroes and patriots.” The family agreed to participate thinking they were contributing to a respectful tribute honoring fallen firefighters. However, when the show aired, they were shocked to see it was actually a “shamanic survival variety show” where fortune-tellers competed to read the dead person’s fate .
The nephew reportedly checked with the late firefighter’s older sister, who confirmed that the family would never have consented if they had known the true nature of the program . Fellow firefighters who knew Kim Cheol-hong also expressed discomfort over how his death was being used for entertainment .
“I checked with the late firefighter’s older sister. Consent was not given for this kind of shaman content. She is also bewildered. She said she would not have agreed if she had known it would be like this.”
— Online post from alleged family member
Show’s Response and Ongoing Verification
As criticism spread across social media, the Battle of Fates team issued a statement to Korean media outlet OSEN on February 17. The production team confirmed that they did obtain consent from the bereaved family for the episode but added that they are currently verifying the claims through the production company .
The statement read:
“It is true that we obtained consent from the bereaved family for the episode. We are currently verifying the issue through the production company.”
— Battle of Fates team statement
The show’s response has done little to calm angry viewers, especially since the family’s allegation suggests the consent was given under false pretenses.
Fan Reactions Pour In
Online communities and social media platforms have been flooded with comments condemning the show. Many viewers described the segment as disrespectful and questioned the judgment of the production team for turning a national hero’s death into a puzzle for entertainment.
Common reactions include:
- “This shows no respect for the deceased”
- “Is it right to turn someone’s cause of death into a guessing mission?”
- “Totally disrespectful to a firefighter who died saving others”
- “The family thought they were honoring his memory, but instead they got this trash”
Some viewers also pointed out that the show was already facing scrutiny for including Park Na-rae, who is currently on hiatus due to her own controversies involving manager bullying allegations . Disney+ had decided to release the show despite her legal issues, arguing that she was just one of several panelists and that the show was pre-produced .
Another Cast Member Exits Over Creative Differences
Meanwhile, another controversy surrounding Battle of Fates came to light on the same day. Lee Ho-sun, a Christian counselor and professor at Sungshin Cyber University, revealed on Instagram that he left the show after just one episode .
Lee explained that he realized the program was “not the path for me” once filming began. As a lifelong Christian who runs a counseling center, he felt his identity clashed with the shamanistic themes of the show. He wrote:
“No matter what anyone says, I am a Christian for life. I am always mindful of God’s gaze and pray for every client I work with. I consistently study the differences between counseling and shamanism.”
His departure adds another layer of criticism to a show that now finds itself at the center of multiple controversies.
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What Happens Next
As of now, the identity of the person claiming to be the firefighter’s nephew has not been independently verified. However, the damage to the show’s reputation is already done. With episodes 5 through 7 scheduled for release on February 18, all eyes are on Disney+ and the production team to see if they will address the allegations further or make any changes to upcoming content .
The network has not announced any plans to cancel or delay future episodes despite the backlash.
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