Radio show hosts bid tearful goodbye to fans

Comedian Kang Suk, left in the first photo, and fellow comedian Kim Hye-young pose after receiving a plaque of appreciation for their long-time service for an MBC radio show named "Singgeulbeonggeul Show" at the headquarters of MBC, Seoul, May 6. Together, they have hosted the show since 1987. Courtesy of MBC

By Park Ji-won

Comedians Kang Suk and Kim Hye-young, hosts of a MBC radio program "Singgeulbeonggeul Show," bid a tearful goodbye to fans on Sunday as they were replaced with new hosts 33 years after they first teamed up for the radio show. In a recent reshuffle, MBC appointed singer Bae Gi-sung and announcer Huh Il-hoo took over the show as co-hosts and their first episode aired on Monday.

In the last episode on Sunday, Kim said "I knew this day would come. And today is the day when I have to say goodbye to my audience… I will take your smiles, applause and warm hearts as a present."

Her co-host Kang also thanked his loyal fans for their unwavering support and tuning into the program for the past three decades.
"When you meet your maker, there will be only two questions: 'Were you happy?' and 'Did you make people around you happy?' I will answer that I was happy to have hosted this show for such a long time and I believe my audience was also happy. I thank you for your support."

In his closing remark, Kang said "Citizens. Kang Suk and Kim Hye-young, the hosts of 'Singgeulbeonggeul Show' will now leave the office. Goodbye. Thank you for being our friends for more than 30 years."

MBC's reshuffle was not smooth. It initially named TV personality Jung Young-jin as one of the co-hosts. But the decision was met with backlash.

Opinions are polarized as many listeners criticized MBC for appointing Jung considering his past remarks in broadcasts that some called misogynistic.

Jung previously criticized women who let men pay all the bills for meals and other incurred dating expenses, saying such women are no different from prostitutes.

The controversy regarding Jung appeared to have placed pressure on MBC as Jung was quickly replaced with announcer Huh.

It remains unknown what caused MBC to replace the two long-time hosts of the radio show.

The call-in talk show began in June, 1973, and included political satire even when the country was under authoritarian regimes and media outlets were heavily censored by the government.

Kang hosted the show from 1984 while Kim did so from 1987. They hosted the show for 33 years and four months together. Kang holds the local record for the longest period of leading a single radio program; some 36 years.

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