"I'm an SBS Open-Recruitment Comedian" Bar-Rampage Man Turns Out to Be an Aspiring Comedian... Comedians Association 'Outraged'

[Financial News] It has been confirmed that the man who caused a disturbance at a bar near Hongdae in Seoul and claimed to be an "SBS open-recruitment comedian" was not actually a comedian recruited by a broadcasting company.
According to JTBC on the 18th, the Korea Broadcasting Comedians Association stated that, after checking the background of the man identified as A, who was recently sued for causing a disturbance at a bar and dining without paying, it found that he had never been selected as a comedian through open or special recruitment by any domestic broadcasting company.
A is accused of causing a disturbance at a bar near Hongik University station in Mapo District, Seoul, on the 2nd. He had been drinking with his companions when he got into an argument with another customer, then protested against the owner and staff who tried to stop the fight.
A reportedly verbally abused the owner and staff and threw a beer glass onto the floor, shattering it. The controversy grew after it was reported that, during the incident, he invoked his status by saying, "I'm an SBS open-recruitment comedian."
However, the association's investigation found that A had never been selected through open or special recruitment by SBS or any other domestic broadcasting company. He was identified as a former aspiring comedian who had performed at small comedy theaters in areas such as Daehak-ro.
An association official explained, "After comparing our membership list with the class lists for each broadcasting station, we found that A is not listed among the open- or special-recruitment comedians of any domestic broadcasting company."
The official added, "The reputations of broadcast comedians are being damaged by unverified impersonation claims and reports," and urged the media to issue corrections and report carefully.
After the incident became known, there were even online attempts to identify A based on his claim that he was an "SBS open-recruitment comedian."
Park Jong-wook, a member of SBS's 16th open-recruitment class, also appealed for understanding on his YouTube channel, stating that he was not A.
The bar owner has filed a police complaint against A and his companions on charges including obstruction of business and dining without paying. Police are investigating what happened at the time and the exact circumstances of the incident.
[email protected] Seong Min-seo Reporter