The family of the late weathercaster Oh Yo Anna has spoken up about the circumstances surrounding her tragic death, claiming the pressure of work and workplace bullying led to her struggles with depression.
On September 14, 2024, MBC's up-and-coming weathercaster Oh Yo Anna was found dead, with her family calling the incident an accident.
In an interview with Dispatch, her mother revealed that her daughter had been dealing with workplace stress and even had issues with a superior she referred to as "A."
Her mother said, "Oh my, Yoanna has gone to heaven. You can say: A bummed her out so much that she was depressed."
Her mom said Oh Yo, Anna opened up to her about experiencing pressure at work and being criticized all the time. The family says those issues were all factors in her struggling mental health.
Yoanna started seeing a psychiatrist in March 2022 to help her with sleep problems and depression. Dispatch has obtained records of counseling statements such as, "I am scared to go to work."
Read more: Oh Yo Anna's Last Post Reveals Facial Injuries Before Untimely Passing— Cause of Death Unspecified
Coming from a hierarchical Chinese family, her mother wrote how Yoanna insisted on not taking any mood medication, so her mother took up many jobs to manage the heightened stress that Yoanna was experiencing, including being a gym coach and a part-time writer.
"If you are on the go a lot without sleeping pills or alcohol, you can sleep because you are tired," Yoanna told her mother, according to reports.
MBC has denied receiving any official complaints or reports of bullying from Oh Yo Anna, claiming she never went to management regarding any of these issues. The company described her as a freelancer, emphasizing their stance on the issue.
The family is suing the senior weathercaster known only as "A" for damages resulting from the bullying, which negatively affected Oh Yo Anna's health.
Her mother wished for workplace accountability and for "them to change their culture or be a better person. " She added, "If they felt that there was something wrong, just apologize."
Oh Yo Anna appeared at MBC in May 2021 and gained attention fast for her position at the weather station. Her untimely death has sparked discussions about mental health and workplace dynamics in South Korea.
Note: If you or someone you know is experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to local support services for assistance.
