KBS’ “Producer” portrays variety show production staff as powerful forces within Korean entertainment, whose influence has massive repercussions on the careers of K-pop idols. Several industry insiders denounced the scenarios in the drama as exaggerated works of fiction, but a recent situation involving BIGBANG is playing out like a page from the “Producer” script.

KBS’ “Producer” portrays variety show production staff as powerful forces within Korean entertainment, whose influence has massive repercussions on the careers of K-pop idols. Several industry insiders denounced the scenarios in the drama as exaggerated works of fiction, but a recent situation involving BIGBANG is playing out like a page from the “Producer” script.

On June 14, the 5-member male group was absent from the taping of the SBS music chart show, “Inkigayo.” The group was in consideration to receive a first place award on the program, but they were not included within the performances which aired during the episode. Supporters of the group allege that BIGBANG was banned from the show because G-Dragon and T.O.P were unable to be present for the taping, due to scheduling conflicts.

The real-life scenario involving BIGBANG and “Inkigayo” is reminiscent of the “Producer” plot involving Cindy (IU) and Tak Ye Jin (Gong Hyo Jin). In the drama, Ye Jin is a producer-director who has worked for more than a decade on the chart show, “Music Bank.” She enters into a conflict with Cindy, following a mishap during a live taping. In the midst of their disagreement, Cindy is reluctant to perform on the program. Other debates which could occur between production teams, K-pop stars, and their agencies were dramatically illustrated throughout “Producer.”

“Inkigayo” and YG Entertainment have yet to issue an official statement addressing the situation. However, SBS responded with an unprecedented move of airing the episode with a private taping, with the award results provided online on June 15. In the end, BIGBANG was named as the winner of the June 14 episode. 

This decision by SBS was initially considered as a response to the MERS outbreak, but it appears as though that was not the main factor behind the programming changes.

Industry insiders, who have remained unnamed, have also speculated that the changes made to the “Inkigayo” broadcast could have been preempted by recent conflicts involving EXO and BIGBANG fans. Rumors of bomb threats and photo vandalism by EXO fans (EXO-L) could have prompted the actions taken by “Inkigayo.”

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About the writer: Adrienne Stanley is a contributing editor for KDramastars. She is also a contributing writer for Kpopstarz, MTV Iggy and CJ Entertainment’s KCON blog. Her passions include a love of K-pop and Asian drama. When she is not writing, she is hanging out on Twitter (@retrogirladdy). 

Source: http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/86835/20150614/big-bang-inkigayo-producer.htm