“Let's reduce the appearance fees” — mentioned directly by the cast of Please Take My Money

JTBC's management crisis has spread to the broadcasting production sites. In the recently aired JTBC variety show 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator since 2014', the cast members directly mentioned the company's financial difficulties and default situation, creating a bitter atmosphere.

In the 80th episode of 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' aired on the 19th, Chef Yoo Yong-wook, who played the role of the BBQ Research Director in the Netflix variety show 'Culinary Class Wars 2', joined as a new member. During the recording session, along with the appearance of Chef Yoo Yong-wook, a strange tension among the existing members and the current management difficulties faced by JTBC were revealed without filter.

"Let's reduce appearance fees and remove one person" - The chefs' biting jokes

As the new member Chef Yoo Yong-wook appeared, Chef Choi Hyun Seok made remarks alluding to the broadcasting station's situation from the beginning of the recording. Choi Hyun Seok started by saying, "Now that (new chefs) have been cast like this, I don't think the audio will be empty even if we remove one seat." He then made a joke-filled suggestion, saying, "Since (the company) is having a hard time now, let's reduce the appearance fees and remove one person." In response, Chef Kwon Seong-jun chimed in, saying, "Let's go with a survival format. Let's implement a second-tier system."

Chef Yoo Yong-wook conveyed his tension, saying that when he met Chef Kwon Seong-jun before his appearance, he heard that it wouldn't be easy to join even when 'Culinary Class Wars 2' was airing because the chemistry among the existing members of 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' was so solid. Chef Kwon Seong-jun explained that this was a defense mechanism of the chefs who were nervous ahead of the release of 'Culinary Class Wars 2'.

Ahn Jung-hwan: "It wouldn't be strange if someone suddenly disappeared"

Ahn Jung-hwan, who was in charge of hosting, also did not avoid the broadcasting station's crisis situation. When Chef Son Jong-won asked a concerned question, "What if the set disappears?", Ahn Jung-hwan replied bluntly, "It's at that stage. Because JTBC is having a hard time right now." He went even further, adding, "If someone just leaves in the middle of a recording, just think, 'Ah, they left'."

This atmosphere continued in next week's preview. While making food for JYP Entertainment head Park Jin-young, Kim Poong shouted, "We are struggling right now. Everyone, the viewership ratings really must be high," revealing the desperation of the broadcasting station.

JoongAng Group, which declared a 20.6 billion won default and applied for corporate rehabilitation proceedings

JTBC's remarks coincide with the management crisis appearing in actual indicators. On June 12, JTBC declared a default as it failed to repay securitized borrowings totaling 20.6 billion won within the maturity period. Subsequently, major affiliates including JoongAng Holdings, the holding company of JoongAng Group, as well as JTBC, Contentree JoongAng, Megabox JoongAng, and JoongAng P&I, applied for corporate rehabilitation proceedings to the court on the 14th, two days after the default declaration.

The aftermath of the financial difficulties is confirmed by specific figures. Following the final default of 22 billion won in commercial paper issued by JoongAng Ilbo, JTBC's liquidity crisis intensified as 36 billion won in commercial paper was processed as a primary default. At the end of last June, it was also revealed that the cast members of major JTBC variety shows such as 'Knowing Bros', 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator', and 'Divorce Mediation Camp' did not receive their appearance fees on the scheduled payment dates.

At the time, a JTBC official stated regarding the delay in appearance fee payments, "There are some delay issues according to the rehabilitation proceedings, but we are proceeding with the deposit processing in accordance with the court procedures." Currently, existing programs such as 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' and 'Talkpawon 25시' are being broadcast normally.