Everyone knows that prank calls to emergency services are a big no-no – even kids know this! However, a Korean streamer recently sparked a major controversy after she live-streamed herself calling the South Korean emergency service number, 119.
Jung Eun Hye (정은혜), better known as BJ Vely (BJ 블리), was drinking during a live stream when she saw a viewer’s comment saying that they were sick. She responded, “Why are you sick?” before continuing with “No, this can’t be! Everyone, call 119!” She then picked up her phone and began dialling the emergency hotline.
Shortly after the streamer dialled the number, she got put on a call with a dispatcher. Due to her drunken state, BJ Vely could be heard slurring her words as she spoke on the phone, saying “Hello? Where is this? Hold on a moment. I’ll call again.” She then hastily hung up and continued talking to her viewers, saying “119 picks up right away. Was that wrong? I didn’t know they would pick up right away.”
After the call, viewers began criticising the streamer’s actions, to which she replied, “Did I do anything wrong? I’m drunk since I’ve been drinking a lot.” Her actions also had one viewer commenting that they would report the streamer to the authorities, to which the public figure began hurling obscenities while saying “If you want to report me, then report me.”
Following the live stream, clips of the incident went viral on Korean social media platforms and online communities, drawing more criticism for the broadcaster’s action. Some comments from netizens included, “Even if you’re drunk, what you did was still wrong” and “Those who ignored this are also wrong because you’re supporting this (behaviour).”
As the controversy amplified, the stream issued an apology regarding the incident and her action. In the apology, she explained, ”During my drinking broadcast, a viewer commented that they were sick. Without much thought, I rushed to call for an ambulance in my drunken state.”
She then mentioned that she was initially unaware that what she did was a prank call and said that she is deeply apologetic for her actions and is currently in a state of self-reflection. She ended the statement by saying, “From now on, I will be more careful with my words and actions.”
In South Korea, prank calls to emergency services are punishable by law and offenders can face penalties such as fines and imprisonment. As of reporting, no charges were pressed against BJ Vely but let’s hope this incident serves as a reminder for her and everyone else.
Adleena contributed to this article.
