KBS “The Live” coming to a controversial end ranks No. 4 among popular shows

The Live, a current affairs program aired on KBS, which is scheduled to end after much controversy, ranked no. 4 among popular TV shows in South Korea.

On November 20, Gallup Korea announced the results of a survey of “liked broadcast shows,” which it conducted on November 14-16, and the results showed that 2.1% of respondents answered that The Live was their favorite show. This placed The Live in fourth place among all shows. Gallup Korea randomly chose virtual cell phone numbers and surveyed 1,001 people ages 18 and older nationwide. The confidence level was 95% with a ±3.1% margin of error, and the response rate was 13.6%.

The Live ranked nineteenth in a survey in October, but jumped fifteen places to number four in this month’s survey. The show topped the charts among current affairs and news programs. This was also the highest rank earned by the show in the Gallup survey since the show first aired.

The producers of The Live announced the latest result on YouTube claiming, “The Live has come across some good news ahead of its scheduled end in mid-December.” They wrote, “The survey included shows aired on all channels including terrestrial networks, general (comprehensive) programming channels, cable TV, YouTube and over-the-top (OTT) media services, and once again, we thank our viewers for remembering The Live.” They added, “A ‘cold’ season has approached us. Be careful of colds and watch out for icy roads.”

When the announcement was released, citizens posted hundreds of comments to show that the show would be missed.

“Give us back The Live, which I watched to close the day after putting the kids to sleep.” “When I heard there was good news, I was excited for a moment thinking I would be able to watch the show again.” “Is it Yoon Suk-yeol’s fairness and common sense to shut down a show many people enjoy watching overnight without presenting a reason?” “I hope Park Min, the president by ‘parachute appointment’ is reported for misfeasance,” the citizens wrote.

In the same survey, Lovers, a TV drama on MBC set in a historical backdrop, topped the list of popular shows. It was the first MBC drama to top the list in nine years. Home Alone (I Live Alone), a reality show on MBC retained the number two position.