KBS responds to backlash over 'National Singing Contest' host debacle

The national broadcaster has issued an explanation in response to criticism over its decision to replace host Kim Shin-young with very short notice.

Comedian Kim Shin-young hosts KBS’s “National Singing Contest” for the first time on Sept. 3, 2022, in Dalseo District, Daegu. [NEWS1]

KBS released a statement on Thursday saying that its decision to replace Kim Shin-young as the host of its program “National Singing Contest," which has aired since 1980, was made in the best interest of the program and its viewers as well as an attempt to resolve a “drop in viewership ratings.”

However, criticism of KBS' handling of the issue has continued, with accusations that the company did not clarify the reason for giving Kim a unilateral notice and has placed further unnecessary blame on the comedian without taking any kind of responsibility.

The broadcaster came under fire earlier this week for abruptly removing Kim from her role as the program’s host, which she held since October 2022. Both Kim and the show’s production team were notified of her release a week before her last episode shooting without prior discussion, according to Kim’s agency CJes Studios.

Onlookers had bombarded the comment section of KBS' official website blasting the company’s abrupt notice and demanding a better explanation and reasoning behind the situation. While there were also posts celebrating the decision and offering encouragement to the new host, which was announced as comedian Nam Hee-seok, condemnation far outnumbered such posts.

The broadcasting station on Monday simply thanked Kim for all her work for the show and asked viewers to support new host Nam through a press release. After witnessing the criticism, KBS gave an explanation as to why it has decided to replace the host.

“The replacement in show hosts was a solution to the crisis the 44-year-old ‘National Singing Program’ has been facing, including a drop in the ratings,” KBS said. “There were 616 complaints and 38 compliments out of all viewers’ opinions we received on show host Kim Shin-young between Oct. 16, 2022 to March 3, 2024."

“The average viewership ratings during the year before the Covid-pandemic started — when Song Hae hosted the show — was 9.4 percent in the Greater Seoul area. The average ratings during the one year and five months that Ms. Kim Shin-young hosted was 4.9 percent in the Greater Seoul area. Though there were no changes in viewership among teenagers and people in their 20s up to their 40s after Kim Shin-young became the host, there was a drop in viewership among both women and men over their 50s and above.”

KBS further explained that the production team had many talks with Kim in the process of changing hosts and that she expressed understanding and support for preserving the show.

The broadcaster conveyed its appreciation for Kim's work on the show and for the added attention she garnered after becoming the host, but noted that the increase in attention did not lead to improved viewership ratings.

The late TV presenter Song Hae [YONHAP]

“National Singing Contest” is a weekly outdoor singing competition that takes place in various regions and features residents of each location. The show, KBS’s longest-running program, is widely considered a cultural landmark in Korea.

Kim took over the show from veteran television presenter Song Hae, who hosted the show for 34 years right up until his death in June 2022. The public applauded the casting of a young female host at the time, especially given Kim's prolific career as a host of music events.

Her last show as the singing show's host will take place in Seo District, Incheon on March 9. Comedian Nam Hee-seok will take the helm starting with the upcoming show at Jindo, South Jeolla on Tuesday, with the episode airing on March 31.

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]