Disney+ 'Battle of Fates' Issues Second Apology Amid Backlash Over Depictions of the Deceased

The team behind Disney+ series ‘Battle of Fates’ has issued another apology following controversy over alleged disrespect toward the deceased.

On the 24th, the production team released a statement, saying, “We honor those who died in the line of duty featured in ‘Battle of Fates,’ and we extend our deepest condolences and respect to their families.” They continued, “We sincerely apologize to those who passed in the line of duty, to bereaved families who may have been hurt, to their colleagues, and to everyone distressed by this issue, for the inappropriate language and depictions that appeared when a shaman―who did not know the deceased―gave a reading on the program.”

They added, “We are listening to the families, apologizing for failing to be considerate in advance, and working toward a resolution. Going forward, we will take greater care across all stages of production and strengthen our internal review and processes. We once again offer our deepest apologies.”

‘Battle of Fates’ is a survival-style variety show where 49 fortune-tellers test their abilities through various missions. Episode 2, released on the 11th, featured a mission to guess causes of death using clues about the deceased. The segment drew criticism for sensationalizing the deaths of a fallen firefighter and police officer.

First, while discussing the cause of death of the late Firefighter Kim Cheol-hong, who died in 2001 while responding to a fire in Hongje-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, cast members mentioned possibilities such as fire, collapse, and crushing. Viewers called the scene disrespectful to the deceased. A woman identifying herself as Kim’s younger sister strongly condemned the show, saying it turned her brother’s noble sacrifice into entertainment. The Firefighters’ Labor Union also demanded an apology, stating that the death of a fallen firefighter should never be used as a puzzle, a competition element, or entertainment content.

In response, the ‘Battle of Fates’ team issued an initial apology, saying they would humbly accept the criticism and work to earn understanding and empathy from both viewers and those directly affected. They added, “We sincerely apologize to the bereaved family and fellow firefighters who were hurt.”

The backlash did not subside. Another mission―guessing the cause of death of the late Officer Lee Jae-hyeon, who died in 2004 after being stabbed while apprehending a violent-crime suspect―sparked further anger. A shaman speculated, “People often call getting stabbed ‘kal-ppang’ (a slang term for 'being stabbed'). I see stabbing as well,” while MC Jun Hyun-moo said, “A uniformed person and ‘kal-ppang’―that’s too direct,” prompting criticism of the on-air reactions.

Viewers denounced the use of inappropriate slang toward a fallen police officer. The National Police Workplace Council issued a statement expressing deep anger, saying the cast and crew demeaned a public servant who died in the line of duty by using the coarse slang term “kal-ppang” and turning it into entertainment.

Jun Hyun-moo’s side later apologized, saying they felt a heavy sense of responsibility for expressions used on the show that hurt the deceased and their families. “Regardless of context, we should have been far more cautious when speaking about the deceased,” they said. The production team then released a second apology. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)