Conservative cable TV recycles ousted politicos

Yoo Jung-hyun

By Baek Byung-yeul

Politicians who fail to get reelected or get into hot water now have a venue to start their comebacks: cable television.

Driving this trend are new cable television channels launched last year, which are engaged in a ratings grab and apparently not afraid to take risks to win viewers.

Last week, former lawmaker Yoo Jung-hyun, 45, appeared as a guest on tvN program “Taxi,” in an apparent bid to get back on the country’s radar after failing to secure a nomination from the Saenuri Party during last year’s general election.

Yoo - who debuted in 1993 as an anchor on SBS TV - eventually stood as an independent candidate in last year’s polls, but lost. His appearance on Taxi signaled his return to the media.

“I won’t be a politician ever again,” he told “Taxi.”

“As a lawmaker, I inevitably had to tarnish others, and I hated it,” he said, appearing alongside ousted conservative politician Kang Yong-seok.

Yoo has hosted a variety of entertainment shows through which he cultivated a likeable personality among the public, which he parlayed in a victory in the 2008 general election.

As to his future in broadcasting, he said, “I won’t draw political lines as an emcee.”

Other figures are using cable television to reboot their careers.

Kang Yong-seok, a lawyer who was elected in 2008 as a Saenuri Party (formerly the Grand National Party) lawmaker, was expelled for making inappropriate sexual remarks at a gathering with university students in 2010.

Since last year, Kang has apparently sought to rehabilitate his image by becoming a television personality, hosting shows including “Issue Ranking Show,” “Taxi” and “Sseol Jeon.”

At least some netizens have given Kang another chance after his failure as a lawmaker as some comments online suggest his lightning-rod style is at least entertaining.

Observers say cable television is a better venue for controversial figures because it is an evolving environment.

“There are more intensive regulations on controversial figures at public network channels like KBS, MBC and SBS,” said one producer of a public network channel. “Cable channels don’t have the same standards.”

Culture critic Jung Deok-hyun said such an approach will yield mixed results.

“The public feels bitter about Yoo’s comeback because they compare him to other compassionate broadcasters and politicians,” Jung said.

On the other hand, people applaud MBC TV’s former investigative reporter and news anchor Choi Il-koo, who is now hosting the social commentary show “Weekend Update” on the Korean version of Saturday Night Live on cable TV channel tvN.

The public perception of Choi is that he fought against injustice of the MBC management until he left last February, claiming the station had become too cozy with the government. This translates to his current hip image.

“People don’t like to watch others who lack a work ethic,” Jung said. “The test for failed politicians who want to return as television personalities is whether they can convey their sincerity and show a sense of obligation.”