The Industrial Accident Prevention and Supervision Division of the Gangwon Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s Central Regional Employment and Labor Office has received an occupational safety complaint requesting verification of fall-prevention measures for staff working on the set of I Live Alone. The office plans to investigate the matter.
The central issue is whether adequate fall-prevention measures were in place for the staff members assisting the cast during a bungee jump from a high platform. The safety equipment worn by the participant and the equipment designed to prevent on-site staff from falling are separate matters.
The complainant requested an investigation into whether staff members wore safety helmets and harnesses, whether devices securing the harnesses were properly installed and connected, and whether safety railings and fall-protection nets at the edge of the jumping platform were in good condition. The complaint also called for an examination of the relationship between the facility operator and the staff members’ actual employment status.
A safety harness is equipment worn by people working at heights and attached to a secure anchor point to prevent falls. Investigators will need to determine not only whether the equipment was available but also whether it was properly worn and connected during the work.
The controversy emerged following the broadcast of episode 669 of I Live Alone on October 16.
In the episode, Koo Sung-hwan and an acquaintance took on a bungee jumping challenge together. After successfully completing the jump, Koo made viewers laugh by saying, “Actually, I jumped by mistake.” According to MBC, the scene recorded a peak-minute viewership rating of 6.8%.
However, after the episode aired, viewers’ attention shifted to the staff member assisting Koo with his jump.
Although Koo was wearing safety equipment, no separate fall-prevention device was clearly visible on the staff member managing the bungee cord at the edge of the platform.
Some viewers raised concerns that the staff member could fall if their foot became entangled in the cord or they lost their balance, questioning whether adequate safety measures had been implemented.
The employment status of the on-site personnel is also a key issue. The applicable legal requirements may differ depending on whether the individual was an employee or the facility operator themselves.
South Korea’s Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to protect workers at locations where there is a risk of falling. Related regulations stipulate that appropriate protective equipment must be provided and worn according to working conditions, safety railings must be installed, and anchor devices for safety harnesses must be provided and inspected before work begins.
If an employer is found to have violated these safety obligations, they could face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.
Earlier, on October 7, Gyeonggi Province announced that it had conducted joint safety inspections at leisure sports facilities from September 7 to 17. The inspections were carried out in cooperation with seven cities and counties, including Suwon, Yongin, Goyang, Ansan, Uiwang, Dongducheon, and Gapyeong, as well as facility operators, to prevent safety accidents.
The inspections uncovered issues including torn fall-protection nets, fraying safety ropes, fire hazards caused by branched electrical connections, damaged electrical outlets, and insufficient documentation proving that employees had received safety training. Authorities took action to address the identified problems.
Sources: Nate