The late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna / Newsis
New allegations of workplace bullying involving MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna (1996-2024), who died in September last year, continue to surface, fueling public outcry, according to Newsis and other outlets.
Channel A, a general programming network, reported on Friday that Oh's family said they had an audio recording in which she appealed to MBC officials about the mistreatment she experienced.
The broadcaster said the recording could serve as crucial evidence in identifying the perpetrators and uncovering the truth behind the allegations.
Speaking to Channel A, a family member said, “We have recordings of four people, and with one of them, she talked over beer for an hour and a half. Oh recorded the entire conversation and counseling process.”
The family member added, “Oh confided about the bullying she suffered from a particular weathercaster and sought advice. She said, ‘It's too painful. The words are too violent. Is this workplace bullying, or am I at fault?'”
The family is reportedly considering whether to disclose the recordings after observing the outcome of MBC's internal investigation.
JTBC's investigative program "Crime Chief" also reported on Jan. 31 that a KakaoTalk group chat involving four fellow weathercasters contained messages mocking Oh.
One of them wrote, “(Oh Yoanna) is completely insane. Let's leave the chat. She smells,” adding, “That X talked back when we gave her attention. Even Yeon-jin (the antagonist from ‘The Glory' who bullied the protagonist), was good at broadcasting. She's just playing the victim. We are the victims.”
Oh's family revealed that she had survived two critical moments in the days leading up to her death. “Her first attempt was on Sept. 6 last year, followed by another attempt. She ultimately died on Sept. 15,” a family member told JTBC, adding that she had visited more than 10 psychiatric clinics and had been prescribed medication.
'No one listened to freelance weathercasters'
Former MBC weathercaster Bae Soo-yeon has also spoken out regarding the workplace bullying allegations linked to the death of Oh.
Bae expressed her sorrow over the passing of her former junior colleague through her social media on Sunday, saying, “My heart aches so much. I don't even know what to say about such a tragic incident happening at MBC, especially within the weather team I was once part of.”
She continued, “Hearing new developments every day is just devastating.” Reflecting on her own experience, Bae added, “It was the same when I left MBC. As a mere freelance weathercaster in their eyes, no one paid any attention to my voice. Not MBC, not the newsroom, not the weather team.”
Amid the ongoing controversy, netizens have been identifying and criticizing the alleged perpetrators.
It was revealed on Friday that one of the weathercasters suspected of bullying Oh had previously appeared in a mandatory workplace bullying prevention video.
The video, produced last year in collaboration with labor law experts, has resurfaced online, intensifying criticism. The fact that someone suspected of workplace harassment was featured in such a video has sparked further outrage.
Meanwhile, the Maeil Shinmun, a regional daily in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, reported on Jan. 27 that a 2,750-character note — equivalent to 17 manuscript pages — was discovered on Oh's unlocked phone.
The note details workplace bullying by two specific weathercasters. The revelation has caused a ripple effect, prompting MBC to establish an investigative committee.
On Jan. 31, MBC announced, “We have decided to establish an investigative committee led by an external expert. An internal investigation has already been conducted, and we will provide full support to ensure the truth is uncovered as quickly as possible. We will do our utmost to help the family heal from their pain.”
Oh's family has filed a civil lawsuit against two individuals identified as perpetrators at the Seoul Central District Court.
Oh died in September last year. The cause of death was not disclosed at the time. A former idol trainee, Oh joined MBC as a freelance weathercaster in 2021, presenting both weekday and weekend weather reports. She also appeared on tvN's popular variety show “You Quiz on the Block.”
This article is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.