Bulkkoch Yagu 2 Cancels Paichai High School Episode Following Controversial Cheering Incident

The baseball variety program 'Bulkkoch Yagu 2' has officially canceled the scheduled broadcast of its episode featuring Paichai High School.

On the 1st, production company Studio C1 announced via official SNS, "We are gravely aware of the recent issues regarding Paichai High School, and we have decided not to air the 'Paichai High School Episode' which was scheduled to broadcast on July 6."

The episode was intended to feature the match against the Paichai High School baseball team held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on June 7, which was live-broadcasted via the SBS Plus channel at the time. While an edited version was scheduled to be released, the broadcast has now been scrapped due to this decision.

It is understood that the decision to cancel the broadcast was influenced by the recent controversy involving some students from the Paichai High School baseball team using inappropriate cheering slogans during a game. During a match in the 81st Blue Dragon National High School Baseball Championship held on the 29th of last month, the students drew criticism for shouting remarks such as "Let's go to Starbucks" and "Tank Day" toward the opposing dugout.

These remarks were interpreted as expressions evoking specific regions and historical contexts, causing the controversy regarding their inappropriateness to spread. Subsequently, the Paichai High School baseball team posted an apology on their official SNS, stating, "It was inappropriate behavior that showed a lack of respect for the opposing school and the local community." The school announced that it would refer the students involved to the Student Life Education Committee to proceed with disciplinary action in accordance with school regulations.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education also released an official statement regarding the matter, pointing out, "Expressions that could be perceived as caricaturing historical significance or mocking a specific region are not educationally desirable." They further stated, "We offer a deep apology to the Gwangju Jeil High School players, officials, and the local community."

The production company has not released a separate position regarding future programming or the possibility of subsequent releases.