Baejae High School's 5.18 Mockery Sparks Outrage

The controversy over the Baejae High School baseball team's "mocking of May 18" has expanded to whether the entertainment program "Sparkling Baseball 2" will be aired. The production team of "Sparkling Baseball 2" stated that they will carefully review whether to air the episode featuring Baejae High School.

The controversy began on the 29th during the Blue Dragon Flag National High School Baseball Championship. During a game against Gwangju Jeil High School, Baejae High School players were heard repeatedly chanting "Let's go to Starbucks" and performing a group dance in the dugout. Some players also reportedly used the phrase "​Tank Day." These expressions are reminiscent of past controversies surrounding Starbucks' marketing related to the May 18th democratization movement anniversary. Given that the opposing team is based in Gwangju, the remarks were criticized as inappropriate.

The coaching staff of Gwangju Jeil High School immediately protested, and the game was temporarily suspended. The incident escalated beyond a simple cheering controversy, drawing criticism for high school athletes using a socially sensitive issue during a game against an opposing team.

Baejae High School issued an apology on its website, promising to refer the matter to the student conduct committee and implement special education. However, online criticism poured in, with comments such as "It's difficult to see this as just the misbehavior of a few students" and "Why didn't the coach and assistant coaches stop them?"

Amidst this situation, the airing of "Sparkling Baseball 2," for which Baejae High School had already completed filming, has become a new point of contention. The production team expressed concern, stating, "Broadcasting is not simply releasing recorded footage; it results in providing further attention and exposure to the school and its players the moment it is released." They also voiced worries that proceeding with the broadcast while disciplinary review and investigation are ongoing could send the wrong message.