SBS's dating reality show Match to Marry: With Parents (hereafter 'Match to Marry') issued an official apology over a newly raised cast controversy and announced it will edit out all remaining footage of the contestant in question.
On the 21st, the producers said in a statement, "We immediately began an emergency re-edit as soon as we became aware of the issue," adding, "We have decided to delete all scenes of the problematic contestant from every upcoming episode." They emphasized they would take steps so viewers can watch without discomfort.
The controversy began with a tip from a woman in her 40s, identified as A, on JTBC's Scandal Supervisor. A claimed, "The woman who had an affair with my ex-husband is currently appearing on a dating program," expressing shock. She added that she won an adultery-related lawsuit in 2022 and was awarded 30 million won in damages, but payment has still not been made. In response, the woman denied the claims, saying, "I never even received the judgment. It isn't true, and I will take legal action."
After the broadcast, it became known that the woman A mentioned is indeed a current contestant on 'Match to Marry', and the controversy spread rapidly. The woman is reportedly a hairstylist born in 1993 and appears on the show with her mother.
The production team explained that during vetting they repeatedly checked contestants' past and present histories through pre-interviews and in-depth face-to-face interviews. They added that the consent form includes a clause guaranteeing that the contestant has not been involved in crimes, drugs, affairs, or school violence, and stipulates penalties for violations to prevent false statements.
Even so, the producers said they feel "shocked and devastated" and offered a deep apology. They continued, "We apologize to the viewers and to the other contestants who participated sincerely in filming." They also promised, "We will further strengthen our verification procedures to prevent a recurrence of this issue."
Meanwhile, 'Match to Marry' features 10 single men and women who want to get married, along with their mothers, living together for five nights and six days to find a match. It airs every Thursday at 9 p.m.