Broadcaster Lee Na-yeon (30), a JTBC Golf announcer, has sparked controversy after mentioning the company's financial difficulties on YouTube and claiming that "the air conditioning is not working."

The controversy stemmed from a video titled "I am not unemployed yet" uploaded to Lee Na-yeon's YouTube channel on the 13th.

Lee Na-yeon candidly shared her feelings about JTBC's financial crisis through the video description box.

She wrote, "While doing my best at the given work and looking around, the world had changed a lot. For example, while working hard on broadcasting, the company went bankrupt?" and added, "If I have to leave this company, will I be able to work as an announcer again? Since I am older now and it will be hard to get a job again, I felt briefly depressed thinking that my days as an announcer might really end like this." She also added, "Fortunately, there are still no major issues with the company and broadcasting, but I am seriously thinking about my second future. Even if I do new work later, please cheer me on."

In the video as well, Lee Na-yeon studied foreign languages in the JTBC office lobby and said, "I am not sure if I should say this, but maybe because the company is struggling, the air conditioning is not turning on. It is so hot." She added, "Does this really have an impact? I will not get fired for saying things like this, right?"

Also, through subtitles, she wrote, "I am not unemployed yet. I am still working at JTBC Golf." She added, "Actually, I am not sure how much longer I can show this to you. It is a place that feels like my spiritual home."

After the video was released, some viewers raised criticisms, saying it was inappropriate to make lighthearted jokes about the company's financial difficulties. On the other hand, comments of support and encouragement worrying about JTBC's financial situation also followed.

In particular, it was confirmed that Lee Na-yeon's remark that "the air conditioning is not coming out" was different from the facts. According to the broadcasting industry, separate from JTBC's financial difficulties, the cooling system inside the office building is operating normally, and there are no particular problems with the working environment for employees. Regarding this, criticisms continued within JTBC that it was a rash remark that dampened the morale of colleagues.

JTBC declared a default last month on the 12th after failing to repay a liquidity borrowing of 20.6 billion KRW. Afterward, it applied for the commencement of rehabilitation procedures with the court, and the court accepted the application for the Autonomous Restructuring Support (ARS) program, holding off on whether to commence rehabilitation procedures.

Meanwhile, Lee Na-yeon began her broadcasting activities as a JTBC Golf announcer in 2021 and gained recognition through the 2022 Tving original variety show "EXchange 2". She is currently in a relationship with ice hockey player Nam Hee-doo and recently drew attention by appearing with Nam Hee-doo on the JTBC variety show "Extreme Tour".

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)