Major television networks and entertainment businesses on Thursday appeared to be busy devising plans on how to use famous comedian and entertainment show host Kang Ho-dong when he returns to the small screen after a one-year hiatus.
Kang Ho-dong tentatively left the entertainment world a year ago after allegations of tax evasion sparked a public uproar.
The 42-year-old athlete-turned-comedian was leading multiple top-rated entertainment shows of three major TV networks, KBS, MBS and SBS, at that time.
He was one of the country's two top show hosts along with his rival Yoo Jae-seok, who is also a comedian.
After he signed a new contract with S.M. C&C, an S.M. Entertainment affiliate, and unveiled a decision to resume broadcasting activities within this year last month, media speculation has mounted regarding when and to what TV show he will return. But TV stations say nothing has been confirmed yet.
TV stations seem to be carefully expecting him to be a savior of their talk, reality, and other types of entertainment shows that have suffered from declining viewership since he left.
"Nobody can tell whether Kang, if he's back, will enjoy the same popularity that he had before," an official at the largest broadcaster KBS said. "His return will be an interesting factor for both himself and broadcasting stations," the official forecast. (Yonhap)