"One Stick"—Home and Shopping Uses Sexually Suggestive Expressions While Selling Men's Underwear, Receives KCSC Recommendation

[Financial News] Home and Shopping received an administrative guidance recommendation from the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) after a show host repeatedly used sexually suggestive expressions emphasizing male body parts during a men's underwear sales broadcast.
According to the KCSC on the 16th, the Advertising Review Subcommittee reviewed Home and Shopping's broadcast selling the 'Calvin Klein Men's Underwear 3-Pack Trunk Box Set,' which aired on May 1. It decided to issue a recommendation, with four members voting for 'recommendation' and one for 'opinion submission.'
During the broadcast in question, the show host compared male and female body parts, saying, "For women, the two volumes are up here. For men, the two volumes are here."
The host also reportedly pointed to the relevant body parts with his hands and used expressions such as, "Men have two balls. And there's one stick. I'm saying the three are being pressed together."
While explaining the underwear's close fit, the host also remarked, "It seemed to know the size here," and, "I guess I measured it before going to bed."
The KCSC determined that the broadcast repeatedly emphasized male body parts through words and actions throughout the program, potentially harming viewers' ethical sensibilities or emotions. The provision applied was Article 10, Paragraph 9 of the Regulations on the Review of Product Introduction and Sales Broadcasts.
During the review, members reportedly continued to point out that, although it was necessary to explain the product's close fit and functionality, the manner of expression had gone too far.
Committee member Choi Seon-young said, "I found the suggestiveness of these remarks extremely serious," adding, "Even though it was a short video, it made me wonder how anyone could connect the explanation in this way." Committee member Hong Mi-ae also said, "Although I found it unpleasant and felt ashamed, I am recommending a recommendation rather than a statutory sanction, considering that the remarks did not constitute false or exaggerated claims about the product itself."

[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter