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The trouble popular TV personalities have recently been confronted with has come to the public’s attention ever since Kim Je-dong, co-host of the KBS2 weekend primetime television program “Star Golden Bell,” stepped down on Oct. 9.

Sungshin Women’s University Professor Son Seok-hee resigned Thursday from the MBC program “100 Minute Discussion,” and Grand National Party Lawmaker Jin Seong-ho has openly called for a ban against TV host Kim Gu-ra, whom he accused of speaking bluntly. Last year, Yoon Do-hyun, a popular musician was forced to step down as host of the KBS show "Yoon Do-hyun's Love Letter."

The explanation given by TV networks is that changes in hosts and emcees are inevitable due to factors such as large appearance fees, long-term appearances and damage to their prestige. However, few readily agree with this explanation. The analysis from experts is that a politics of retribution is playing some part in the string of resignations. Indeed, what Son, Kim Je-dong and Kim Gu-ra all have in common is that they have all taken publish issue with past statements or acts made by figures of the New Right.

“Ever since it took office, the current administration has used various measures to drive out cultural institution heads appointed by the previous administration, and it looks like the same kind of ideological reshuffling has reached the entertainment world,” said SungKongHoe University Professor Kim Chang-nam. Professor Kim added that this was both “arrogant and immature behavior” on the part of the administration.

Other analysts are saying the issue is not one of merely individual resignations by television personalities, but of the administration's hegemonic control of culture. Yonsei University Professor Lee Sang-gil said, “There is a strong sense by those in power in the current administration that they have suffered because they have been unable to control broadcasting for the past decade.” Lee continued, “As soon as it took power, a sense of crisis escalated as the administration suffered a blow with the candlelight vigil demonstrations against U.S. beef imports.” Lee added, “As a result, it looks like they have decided to move to suppress figures in culture and the arts.”

Woo Suk-hoon, a lecturer at Yonsei University, said that it is an “era of barbarity, in which the administration’s henchmen are getting rid of ‘100 Minute Discussion,’ which has been a top-rated show.”

The view among Internet users was much the same. After Son announced his resignation at 1:44pm on Thursday, the ‘100 Minute Discussion’ bulletin board was instantly flooded with more than 200 posts, while nearly 1,000 posts in two days went up on Daum Agora alone over the Kim Gu-ra controversy. Most of the posts expressed views of either sympathy or refutation. Internet user Hong Seung-jun could not conceal his bitterness in a post on the '100 Minute Discussion' bulletin board. Hong wrote, “The reality in this country today is ridiculous, where an emcee has to be switched out because of what the government says.”

In response to the Kim Gu-ra situation, Internet users focused on the arrogance and divisiveness of Grand National Party Lawmaker Jin Seong-ho and the government. In a post on Jin’s official website, Internet user Lee Min-jong wrote, “Whether someone is removed from broadcasting or not is for the viewers to decide.” Lee also lamented a “world where even entertainment programs are influenced by the ruling party.” Posts critical of Jin’s remarks were also posted on major portal sites, including one that said, “If things keep up like this, we will soon be back in the authoritarian era.”

Some in the cultural arena are concerned that this situation may result in a severe curtailment in freedom of expression. Lee Won-jae, co-managing director of Cultural Action said, “Classifying and labeling is becoming an everyday matter even for popular entertainers.” Lee added, “During the Lee administration, freedom of expression and political freedom have disappeared.”

A broadcaster currently active on a radio program said, “We are at a stage where society's level of consciousness is moving backward.” The broadcaster added, “Only when you have an environment where people can leave behind political perspectives and speak freely according to how they feel is it possible for the people broadcasting and the people creating culture to imagine new things.” Finally, the broadcaster stated, “If we start to feel as if we are being prohibited from do something, it shackles us, whatever it is.”

An executive at an entertainment planning company said, “A situation has developed where people who ordinarily speak their minds feel they have no choice but to censor themselves."

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]