Baek Ji Yeon Reflects on Early Career Struggles in MBC
On May 21, South Korean television icon Baek Ji Yeon appeared on MBC’s Radio Star, shedding light on her challenging experiences with workplace harassment during her formative years. Renowned as the first, youngest, and longest-serving female anchor on Korean television, Baek candidly shared her journey through the evolving media landscape.
Recalling her impressive 8 year and 3 month tenure on Newsdesk, Baek expressed her surprise at how long her career lasted, saying, “I thought they would replace me at some point.”
Starting her broadcasting career in 1988, Baek reflected on the regressive attitudes she faced as a female anchor. “Korea has developed incredibly over just a few years. Back then, it was a time when people still said things like, ‘How dare a woman,’ or ‘If the hen crows, the household will fall,’” she noted, highlighting the societal hurdles that challenged her ascent.
Baek revealed that her journey at MBC began with an in-house audition for female anchors, even though she was just a probationary employee and not officially eligible. “But I ended up winning first place,” she said with a touch of astonishment. Despite her achievement, the network expressed skepticism, initially nullifying the results. In a surprising turn of events, Baek won a second audition, this time solidifying her place.
Unfortunately, success came hand-in-hand with baseless rumors. “Since my last name is Baek, a rumor spread that I was the daughter of Baek Gom, a big investor in the stock market," Baek recalled. She faced accusations of leveraging connections and financial backing to secure her position, along with pushback from within the company.
A particularly hurtful remark from a senior colleague stung deeply: “I was against this. I don’t know why you were chosen, but this is a gamble. If you last more than six months, I’ll eat my hat,” they told her.
Despite such obstacles, Baek’s resilience shone through. “I thought, ‘I won’t fall. I’ll become the lead anchor. I won’t let anyone tell me to step down.’ Instead of poison, it became a kind of medicine for me,” she said, channeling adversity into motivation.
Baek Ji Yeon remained a prominent figure at MBC until August 1996, subsequently making her mark with all major broadcasters in Korea, including KBS2, SBS, and YTN. In 2023, her family ties deepened as her son married the second daughter of HL Group Chairman Chung Mong Won, thus connecting her with the well-known Hyundai family.
As her story unfolds, Baek Ji Yeon continues to inspire, embodying strength and perseverance in a profession that has undergone significant transformation since her debut.
