KMJS team says ‘K-pop merch’ story aims to give lesson; to take legal action vs ‘trolling, harassment’

Image: screengrab from YouTube/GMA Public Affairs

The team of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” addressed the negative reactions of netizens, particularly K-pop fans, on the show’s recent episode in which they featured a girl named Bea, who reportedly stole over P2 million from her family to buy K-pop merchandise.

In a statement released on its Facebook page on Tuesday, March 7, the show spoke up on the alleged snatching incident of a photocard in Quezon City. The supposed victim, along with other netizens, believes that the incident is rooted in the show’s recent episode, which purportedly gave the public the wrong idea on how much K-pop merchandise cost.

“Nakarating sa aming kaalaman ang tungkol sa isang online post na nagsasabing may nahablutan ng K-pop merchandise sa MRT-Cubao. Inuugnay ito ng ilan na diumano bunsod ng pag-ere ng KMJS sa kuwento ni ‘Bea’ na nagnakaw ng milyon sa kanyang pamilya para suportahan ang kanyang K-pop collection,” the statement read.

(It came to our knowledge that a netizen’s online post alleged that there was a snatching incident of K-pop merchandise in MRT-Cubao. Some are saying that this was caused by the “KMJS” story of Bea who had stolen millions from her family to fund her K-pop collection.)

“Ayon sa pamunuan ng MRT-Cubao at police stations, walang anumang opisyal na naiulat sa kanila na nanakawan o nahablutan ng K-pop merchandise sa nakalipas na 48 oras,” it continued, urging the victims of such to report these supposed occurrences.

(According to the management of MRT-Cubao and police stations, there were no official reports of stealing or snatching of K-pop merchandise in the last 48 hours.)

The show also appealed to the public to stop their online attacks on Bea and her family, as well as the program’s staff who made the report about them. It then stressed that the show does not intend to hurt or risk anyone with Bea’s story, but instead to give “lesson and warning” to the public.

“Kinokondena naman ng pamunuan ng KMJS ang ginagawang trolling at harassment ng ilang netizens sa aming staff na gumawa ng ulat tungkol kay ‘Bea.’ Nakikipag-ugnayan na rin ang KMJS sa aming Legal Team para sa susunod na hakbang,” it added.

(The “KMJS” management condemns the trolling and harassment of some netizens to our staff who made the report about Bea. Our management has already reached out to our legal team for further actions.)

“Tulad ng ibang mga kuwentong itinampok sa KMJS, ginawa namin ang istorya ni ‘Bea’ hindi para manghusga, pero para magsilbing aral at babala. Walang intensyon ang programa na makasakit, makapahamak ng iba, o magkaroon ng pagkakahati-hati,” it concluded.

(Like other stories featured in KMJS, we did the story on Bea not to judge but to serve as a lesson and warning. The program has no intention of hurting, endangering others or causing division among the public.)

Some netizens then seemingly found the statement of “KMJS” lacking, pointing out how it did not include apologies and clarifications about the cost of K-pop merchandise.

Image: Facebook/Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Image: Facebook/Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Image: Facebook/Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

Image: Facebook/Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho

The “K-pop merch” episode aired last Sunday, March 5. It immediately became a trending topic in the Philippines and was also reported by Korean media outlet Allkpop.  /ra

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