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| I Live Alone / Photo: MBC screenshot |
In the March 13 episode of MBC's variety show 'I Live Alone,' cast member Kian84 traveled to Japan with fellow cast member Kangnam to meet Junji Ito, the manga artist who inspired his dream of becoming a cartoonist.
After they arrived in Japan and made their way toward where Junji Ito was located, the episode highlighted Shogakukan, a publisher located on a bookstore-lined street near Jinbōchō Station in Tokyo. 'I Live Alone' noted that Shogakukan is behind popular series such as 'Doraemon,' 'Inuyasha,' and 'Detective Conan,' and that Junji Ito titles like 'Uzumaki' and 'Gyo' were also published there.
Kian84 followed in his idol Junji Ito's footsteps and entered Shogakukan's offices. He gushed, \"Wow, this is amazing. I can't believe I'm inside a Japanese manga company,\" showing his excitement.
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| I Live Alone / Photo: MBC screenshot |
However, Shogakukan has since become the center of controversy over allegations that it attempted to conceal sexual crimes. Reports say a creator who serialized work on the publisher's webtoon platform committed sexual offenses against a minor, and that Shogakukan offered the victim a settlement conditioned on confidentiality. As the scandal grew, several creators announced boycotts and withdrew their work from the publisher.
Viewers criticized the show for prominently featuring the embattled publisher. Producers quietly removed the segment from the program's on-demand catch-up service without issuing a formal statement, the outlet confirmed.
[Sports Today reporter Jeong Ye-won ent@stoo.com]
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