[Photo=Disney+]
The producers of Disney+’s “Fate War 49” apologized Tuesday after the show drew backlash for a mission that asked contestants to guess the causes of death of a fallen police officer and firefighter.
In a statement, the “Fate War 49” team said that while a shaman contestant was performing a reading without knowing the deceased, “inappropriate language and descriptions” were used. The producers said they “sincerely apologize” to those who died in the line of duty, their bereaved families, colleagues and others who were distressed by the segment.
They added that staff are listening to the families, apologizing for failing to consider their feelings in advance, and working to resolve the issue.
The producers also said they will take greater care across production and strengthen internal review and production processes going forward.
“Fate War 49” is a survival variety show in which 49 fortune-tellers carry out missions to test their fate.
In Episode 2, released Feb. 11, a mission asked contestants to guess the cause of death of the late Senior Police Officer Lee Jae-hyeon, who died in 2004 while apprehending a suspect in a violent crime case.
During the segment, one shaman said, “People commonly call getting stabbed a ‘kalbbang,’ don’t they? I can see being stabbed, too.”
The National Police Officers’ Workplace Council, described as an alternative organization to the police union, protested in a statement, saying it was “deeply angry and devastated” by what it called the cast and producers’ “senseless behavior” in belittling a public servant’s sacrifice with a crude slang term and turning it into entertainment.
In the same episode, some contestants also discussed possible causes — including fire, collapse and being crushed — in connection with the death of the late Fire Sergeant Kim Cheol-hong, who died in 2001 at a fire scene in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun District, Seoul. The family and a firefighters’ union also raised objections.
In a statement, the “Fate War 49” team said that while a shaman contestant was performing a reading without knowing the deceased, “inappropriate language and descriptions” were used. The producers said they “sincerely apologize” to those who died in the line of duty, their bereaved families, colleagues and others who were distressed by the segment.
They added that staff are listening to the families, apologizing for failing to consider their feelings in advance, and working to resolve the issue.
The producers also said they will take greater care across production and strengthen internal review and production processes going forward.
“Fate War 49” is a survival variety show in which 49 fortune-tellers carry out missions to test their fate.
In Episode 2, released Feb. 11, a mission asked contestants to guess the cause of death of the late Senior Police Officer Lee Jae-hyeon, who died in 2004 while apprehending a suspect in a violent crime case.
During the segment, one shaman said, “People commonly call getting stabbed a ‘kalbbang,’ don’t they? I can see being stabbed, too.”
The National Police Officers’ Workplace Council, described as an alternative organization to the police union, protested in a statement, saying it was “deeply angry and devastated” by what it called the cast and producers’ “senseless behavior” in belittling a public servant’s sacrifice with a crude slang term and turning it into entertainment.
In the same episode, some contestants also discussed possible causes — including fire, collapse and being crushed — in connection with the death of the late Fire Sergeant Kim Cheol-hong, who died in 2001 at a fire scene in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun District, Seoul. The family and a firefighters’ union also raised objections.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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