The variety show at the center of controversy drew fresh attention after Kian84’s emotional moment went viral.
On the March 20 broadcast of MBC I Live Alone (hereafter 'I Live Alone'), Kian84 met his idol, manga artist Junji Ito. In halting Japanese, Kian84 said, "Meeting you like this feels like a dream," showing his excitement. Junji Ito responded that he knew of Kian84’s work and empathized with his sincere fandom.
Throughout the episode, Kian84 asked Junji Ito a range of questions, and Ito answered candidly, drawing attention. When Ito drew an illustration just for him, Kian84 couldn’t hold back his tears.
Meanwhile, 'I Live Alone' had been embroiled in controversy over featuring Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The publisher faces allegations that a writer convicted of child sex offenses continued working under a new pen name, with critics accusing the company of turning a blind eye. In response, the 'I Live Alone' team deleted the relevant scene from its replay service without issuing a formal apology, and subsequent broadcasts focused on Kian84’s meeting with Junji Ito.