MBC Retires Freelance Weathercaster Role
Broadcast giant MBC has announced the end of its long-standing freelance weathercaster system, replacing it with a newly created ‘climate and weather specialist’ role. The change is meant to professionalize the way weather information is collected and presented. But not everyone is applauding.
“Killing Her Twice”: Public Outcry Over Oh Yoanna’s Legacy
On the evening of June 15—exactly one year after the death of Oh Yoanna, a former freelance weathercaster who died by suicide after alleging workplace bullying—her family and civic groups gathered in protest. In front of MBC’s headquarters in Mapo-gu, Seoul, they held a cultural memorial event, demanding justice and accountability.
“This is an act of killing the deceased twice,” said members of the advocacy group Ending Credit. They condemned MBC for abolishing the freelance system without formally acknowledging Oh’s status as a worker. They argued it undermines her painful experience and fails to fix the systemic issues she faced—including job insecurity and workplace abuse.
Mourning in Black on Live TV
In a subtle but powerful gesture, some current weathercasters at MBC wore black while on-air during the anniversary of Oh’s passing—quietly honoring their late colleague. The station, in its official statement, offered “deep condolences to the bereaved family” and noted it was open to releasing internal investigation findings if both legal parties agree.
A Bigger Fight: Worker Protections for Freelancers
Oh Yoanna’s tragic case has sparked a wider debate in South Korea about freelance workers’ rights in media and other industries. In May, the Ministry of Employment and Labor concluded that Oh had endured persistent workplace mistreatment since joining MBC in 2021. However, because she wasn’t classified as a formal employee under South Korean labor law, anti-bullying protections didn’t apply to her.
Calls are growing for news outlets to provide weathercasters—often the face of a nightly broadcast—with stable employment and legal safeguards. Critics argue that the shift to a new ‘weather specialist’ model won’t solve the root problems unless the industry reevaluates how it treats those behind the screen.
What’s Next?
Will MBC’s structural overhaul lead to meaningful change—or does it simply sweep deeper accountability under the radar? With legal proceedings surrounding Oh Yoanna’s case still ongoing, many are watching MBC’s next move closely. As one protestor put it, “This isn’t just about one person. It’s about every freelancer who’s ever been treated as disposable.”
