Just breaking up: Qingdao TV reporter suspended after inappropriate remarks during interview

A Qingdao TV reporter has been suspended and is under investigation following an incident during a street interview, the station announced Tuesday.

According to a statement by Qingdao TV Station, the reporter was conducting an interview for the program Love at First Sight, a dating show aiming to create an authentic dating platform for residents.

The incident occurred during a street interview for the upcoming "May 20" holiday, which is often associated with romantic gestures in China due to its phonetic similarity to "I love you" in Mandarin.

The reporter approached a couple and inquired about their plans for the holiday. The couple politely declined the interview, stating they had no intention to celebrate.

However, the reporter was caught on camera making an unprompted remark of "just breaking up," sparking an argument with the couple. The man involved demanded an apology, but the reporter initially denied wrongdoing.

After the situation escalated, the reporter offered an apology, which some online viewers criticized as "uncomfortable and sarcastic." The statement from Qingdao TV confirmed the reporter's identity and stated she has been suspended from work and must cooperate with the investigation.

Video footage of the incident went viral on the social media platform Sina Weibo, with many users condemning the reporter's unprofessional behavior.