Government censorship attempts conversely draw popularity

Government censorship attempts conversely draw popularity.

Korea Communications Commission head Choi Si-jung holds a club in a threatening manner against the MBC situation comedy, "High Kick!"

Beside him stands officials from the Defense Ministry and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) say, "You have only made the situation comedy program even more popular."

The officials are speaking from experience as books on the Defense Ministry's banned book list in 2008 have become increasingly more popular, and the NIS's recent request to the Gwangju local government office to remove a sculpture critical of President Lee Myung-bak's environmental policies from an exhibition only resulted in making the work more famous.

Recently the KCC cited the staff of High Kick! for violating the Broadcasting Law when it broadcast an obscenity by an elementary student who called a person that was making her feel uncomfortable Bbangku Ddongu(smelly fart/dung fart). The KCC’s fine has resulted in drawing more viewers to the show.

(Hankyoreh Geurimpan, December 24, 2009)