New details emerge about workplace bullying involving MBC weathercaster who took her own life

Friends of the late MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna are sharing the social media posts that are gaining attention.

The tragic story of the death of MBC weathercaster Oh Yoanna, who passed away last year, is once again in the spotlight. As a suicide note and KakaoTalk conversations revealing signs of workplace bullying have been made public, posts from her friends memorializing her on social media are becoming widely discussed.

Oh Yoanna joined MBC as a freelance weathercaster in 2021, but it is reported that she began being continuously bullied by her fellow weathercasters the following year. 

According to a report by Maeil Business Newspaper on January 27, her suicide note contained accusations that certain colleagues had blamed her for making mistakes, criticized her for making correction requests, and used her position as a junior to demean her.

One colleague is said to have made insulting remarks when Oh Yoanna was invited to appear on tvN's variety show 'You Quiz on the Block,' asking her, “What could you possibly say?” Through her suicide note, Oh Yoanna expressed her frustration, stating, “I hate not being able to love what I love,” and revealed that she didn’t want the people who loved her to become uncomfortable.

Translation: 

"My beloved friend was bullied for a long time by her senior MBC weathercasters and eventually took her own life. 

I couldn't speak the truth to those asking about the cause of death because there is a possibility that certain perpetrators may try to cover up the evidence.

For a long period, I heard that a particular person (a senior weathercaster) was bullying Yoanna, criticizing her, and ostracizing her. (Not just me, but everyone who was close to Oh Yoanna must have heard it.) 

As you can see from the articles, both the perpetrators and MBC are ignoring the situation. Please spread the word about this. I beg you. I hope that the perpetrators and bystanders are punished so that my friend can rest a little easier."

As this information has been covered in multiple reports, her friends have shared tributes and messages on social media.

One friend wrote on Instagram, “I remember the times we worked out together and had fried chicken and beer when you confided in me about the tyrannical behavior of your coworkers. Thinking about the pain you endured from that time breaks my heart.” 

Another friend said, “Anna, who loved her work more than anyone. I desperately hope that those who broke her pride are punished,” denouncing the actions of the perpetrators. The posts also include calls for justice, with one friend writing, “I want the world to know the story of my friend who had to endure the bullying, harsh discipline, and criticism from her seniors for a long time. Perpetrators and bystanders must be held accountable.”

Born in 1996, Oh Yoanna was a former idol trainee who gained public attention when she won the "Sook (fifth place)" title at the 2019 Chunhyang Beauty Contest. After joining MBC as a public announcement weathercaster in 2021, she garnered more attention through her appearance on 'You Quiz on the Block.'

Translation: 

"I am writing this with a heavy heart.

My dear friend Yoanna was bullied for a long time by her senior MBC weathercasters and, in the end, took her own life.

My friend started her career with passion for the work she loved, but she often confided in me about the senseless bullying and ostracism she faced from a specific senior weathercaster.

After the news broke, many of our friends reached out, but I couldn't share the details of the cause of death.

As you can see from the articles, despite Yoanna trying to actively inform her coworkers about the bullying, both MBC and the perpetrators turned a blind eye.

Please help spread the word about this, so that my friend can rest a little easier."

Translation:

"Yoanna was a strong support for me over the years and a precious friend who knew how to share love.

No matter what actions are taken, they cannot fully soothe the sadness and loneliness Anna endured. However, we must not stand by and allow the perpetrators and those in charge to ignore the situation and brush it off as if nothing happened.

Please join me in supporting an official investigation so that Anna's heart may be comforted, and so that such an incident never happens again."