"Why would you be an anchor?" Baek reveals the hostility she faced early in her career.
Former MBC news anchor Baek Ji Yeon revealed on a recent episode of MBC’s talk show 'Radio Star' that she experienced workplace bullying during her time at the network, despite her groundbreaking achievements as a news anchor.
Appearing on the May 21 broadcast, Baek shared personal stories from her time at MBC, where she made history as the first, youngest, and longest-serving anchor of the network’s flagship news program 'Newsdesk.' She said modestly, "I didn’t expect to stay in the role that long. It ended up being 8 years and 3 months. I thought they would replace me along the way."
Baek began her anchoring career in 1988, during a time when traditional gender roles dominated Korean society. "Back then, people said things like, 'How dare a woman?' or 'When a hen cries, the household falls apart,'" Baek recalled. She added that she had passed the internal audition just three months after graduating from university.
According to Baek, MBC had decided to try appointing a female anchor and held an internal audition. "I was just a trainee and wasn’t eligible, but I was told to observe the process. Unexpectedly, I ranked first," she explained. The company, however, nullified the result, questioning how a trainee could place first. "They held another audition, and I placed first again," she said.
Despite her clear talent, Baek became the subject of damaging rumors. "Because my surname is Baek, people started saying I was the daughter of a wealthy stockbroker. They claimed I used financial influence or bought ten years' worth of advertisements to get the job," she recalled.
She also faced direct opposition from colleagues. One senior told her, "I opposed your selection. I don’t know how you got the job, but this is a gamble. If you last six months, I’ll burn my hand." Baek shared this as one of many harsh comments she endured early in her career.
These challenges, however, only strengthened her resolve. "Those remarks made me stronger. I told myself I wouldn't fall. I would become the lead anchor and ensure no one could push me aside," she said, showing the determination that carried her through adversity.
Baek Ji Yeon's candid account has resonated with many viewers, offering insight into the obstacles women face in the workplace and the resilience required to overcome them.
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