Amid recent allegations of manipulation regarding Jeon Hyun-moo's spontaneous trip to Kazakhstan on the MBC entertainment program 'I Live Alone,' a past comment by Lee Jae-jin of the boy band Sechs Kies has resurfaced. In a 2017 episode of MBC's 'The Manager,' Lee Jae-jin remarked, "Isn't everything in 'I Live Alone' set up?"
On August 25, various online communities shared a video featuring Lee Jae-jin's comment and Jeon Hyun-moo's reaction. In the clip, Lee Jae-jin was discussing the observational reality show 'I Live Alone' with fellow Sechs Kies members, suggesting he might rent a house to live in for a month.
When the members questioned whether that was a setup, Lee Jae-jin replied, "Everything in 'I Live Alone' is set up anyway." Jeon Hyun-moo, who was watching the video, immediately reacted, saying, "What are you talking about?"
Jeon Hyun-moo then asked, "Do you really want to be on 'I Live Alone'?" to which Lee Jae-jin countered, "Isn't 'I Live Alone' really a setup?" Jeon Hyun-moo clarified, "Did you think the house was a setup? Everyone is filming in their own homes. We are not a drama." Lee Jae-jin humorously responded, "Does everyone live that well?"
While Lee Jae-jin's comment was initially taken in a lighthearted context, it has gained renewed attention following the recent manipulation allegations surrounding Jeon Hyun-moo's trip to Kazakhstan.
On August 14 and 21, episodes of 'I Live Alone' aired, showcasing Jeon Hyun-moo's spontaneous two-day trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he selected a flight at Incheon International Airport and arranged accommodations and a rental car on the spot.
However, viewers raised questions online about the feasibility of preparing tickets, accommodations, and local transportation on such short notice, especially considering that multiple staff members accompanied the trip. Concerns grew when it was revealed that the Almaty city official page mentioned the filming was supported by the tourism authority, leading to suspicions that the trip was pre-planned rather than spontaneous.
In response to the allegations, the production team of 'I Live Alone' issued a statement on August 25, denying any manipulation. They clarified that they did not receive any filming support or sponsorship for the Kazakhstan trip and explained that they submitted the required international driver's license and passport to a local rental car company just before departure.
Despite the production team's clarification, Lee Jae-jin's past comment about everything being a setup has sparked discussions among netizens about the boundaries of reality in entertainment. One user remarked, "Looking back, Jeon Hyun-moo's reaction seems staged as well."
Another user commented, "Is there any show today that doesn't have some setup? I believe every show needs a basic setup to function. However, insisting that there is no setup while clearly having one can be off-putting." Other comments included, "If it's a setup, then don't pretend it's real," and "It's all scripted, isn't it?"
This controversy centers not on whether 'I Live Alone' involves production or manipulation, but rather on the discrepancy between the perceived spontaneity presented to viewers and the actual production process. As of now, the production team maintains that there was no filming support or sponsorship related to the Kazakhstan trip.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.