Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea.
Song Hae gets Guinness recognition as 'oldest show host'
Veteran emcee Song Hae poses at KBS in Seoul, Monday, after receiving a certificate from Guinness World Records acknowledging him as the “oldest TV music talent show host.” Courtesy of KBS
By Kim Rahn
By Kim Rahn
Veteran entertainer Song Hae, who has emceed the “National Singing Contest” for 34 years, has been recognized as the “oldest TV music talent show host” by Guinness World Records, local broadcaster KBS said, Monday.
Song received a certificate from Guinness which confirmed he was “94 years and 350 days old” at the time of verification on April 12.
“I attribute this to Korean TV viewers who have loved 'National Singing Contest' for such a long time,” Song was quoted as saying by KBS.
Born in 1927, he began his career as an entertainer in 1955 by joining the Changgong musical troupe. While working as a comedian, actor and ratio presenter, he has since 1988 hosted the singing contest which is held at a different location every week, with thousands of residents at each location gathering at outdoor venues.
While the show was planning to restart touring in June after more than two years of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of airing special clips from previous recordings, Song expressed his intention recently to leave the show due to deteriorating health, according to KBS. The production team hasn't made a decision as he has been an icon of the show, and is still in discussions with him.