“This is the real evil editing”: SBS criticized for cutting Michelle Yeoh’s speech, replaces the word “ladies” with “everyone”

Network channel SBS (Seoul Broadcasting System) is under fire for being misogynistic after they cut the words “and ladies” from Everything Everywhere All At Once actress Michelle Yeoh’s Best Actress speech at the 2023 Oscars.

The news channel had broadcast the actress’ historic win and Oscars win but deliberately cut the part where she addressed women. The 60-year-old Chinese-Malaysian actress gave an inspiring speech by calling her win a “beacon of hope” for the many small children who look like her, to dream big.

Specifically, she mentioned “ladies” to never believe people who tell them they can only be successful up to a specific age.

However, SBS cut out the word “and ladies” from the actress’ speech. In the subtitles too, it replaced the word with “everyone.” The deliberate move sparked a viral controversy both in South Korea and internationally.

SBS releases statement on the Michelle Yeoh controversy, netizens still not impressed

SBS landed in extreme trouble after netizens labeled the network channel misogynist after they removed a part of Michelle Yeoh’s Oscars 2023 speech. The Chinese-Malaysian actress made history as she became the second ever Asian to win a Best Actress award at the Academy Awards. She won it for her performance in the hit movie, Everything Everywhere All At Once.

The controversy arose after people noticed that SBS had cut the word “and ladies” from Michelle Yeoh’s speech and even replaced it with “everyone.” Criticism began pouring in on multiple South Korean forums and on international platforms such as Twitter.

SBS then addressed the controversy in a statement to South Korean news outlet Newsen. It stated that the company removed the word because they believed that the phrase “past your prime” applied to everyone, irrespective of them being a woman or a man.

The statement is believed to have fanned criticism on an even more intense level.

One netizen pointed out that the news company should not have brought in their perspective to Michelle Yeoh’s speech, as it belonged to the actress and not the network. Meanwhile, others mentioned that their tampering with the speech was another showcase of the Korean entertainment industry’s “ageism & misogyny.”

Take a look at the comments criticizing the network channels’ move of cutting the actress’ speech:

Everything Everywhere All At Once made history as it went home with a bag full of Oscars 2023 trophies. The movie won seven Oscars, including best picture, best actress, best director, original screenplay, best supporting actor, best supporting actress and editing. It was the most award-winning movie of the night.

About the author

Afreen has been a K-Pop Content Specialist at Sportskeeda since 2021. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, along with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Afreen has over 4+ years of working in various positions including being an entertainment content writer with Pinkvilla’s K-pop division Hallyutalk and CineDope, and as a copywriter at Flying Cursor.

As per Afreen, she loves her work because she gets to write about the things she is obsessed with. Her thorough research and following the two-genuine-source rule of journalism helps her produce the most accurate content, along with helping her be up-to-date with the industry.

Afreen has had the privilege to interview The Rose's frontrunner, WOOSUNG, and LIONESSES, K-pop's first openly LGBTQ+ group. She is a big fan of SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, BTS, and The Rose for their hard work, sincerity, and the comic relief their shows provide.

When she is off her shift, Afreen explores the streets of Nottingham in the UK, cooks, and listens to new music.

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