KBS, suspicion of notification of MC replacement

Suspicion arose that KBS had notified of having a 'parachute MC' on 'History Journal That Day', but when it was cancelled, they had notified of an indefinite temporary suspension.

On the 13th, a media outlet reported that KBS management decided to cancel the broadcast after its attempt to push former KBS announcer Soo-bin Jo, who served as a member of the media special committee of the Presidential National Integration Committee, to be the MC of 'History Journal That Day' failed. ‘History Journal That Day’ was preparing for reorganization after its last broadcast on February 11th.

On this day, PD Shin Dong-jo, Kim Min-jung, Choi Jin-young, and Kang Min-chae, the producers of ‘History Journal That Day’, issued a written statement saying, “Production Director Lee Je-won must immediately withdraw the decision to abolish ‘History Journal That Day.’” The production team announced, “On the evening of the 25th, three days before the recording of the first broadcast of the reorganization on April 30, Director Lee Je-won gave final notification through the Director of Current Affairs and Culture 2 that former KBS announcer Soo-bin Cho will be appointed as MC.”

At that time, the production team had prepared the MC, panel, experts, and script, and had hired a famous actor and finished filming the corner. However, the recording was postponed for two weeks, and on the 10th, it was announced that it had been notified of an indefinite temporary suspension. The famous actress was known as Han Ga-in.

The production team expressed its position that ‘since it is a historical program where neutrality is important, we could not accept appointments that could spark political controversy.’ Director Lee Je-won said that the KBS programming regulations guaranteed by the Broadcasting Act were in violation, and “while the recording was on hold, Jo Soo-bin notified himself that he would not participate in the program. Accordingly, the production team earnestly appealed to resume the program, but Director Lee Je-won insisted on the temporary abolition, citing the reason that 'the organization's discipline has been shaken, so the program cannot proceed as is.'

In addition, the reason for making the issue public was, “We failed to provide reasonable grounds for the production team’s request to explain whether Jo Soo-bin should be used instead of the star actor who had already been cast, and threatened to impose disadvantages on those who refused work orders, such as ‘complaint’.” revealed about.

Lee Je-won, head of production, had previously halted the production of the ‘Sewol Ferry 10th Anniversary Documentary’.

Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr