'I Live Alone' faces major transition as concerns rise over upcoming cast departures

The lineup of "I Live Alone" is expected to change in the near future. Captured from MBC video

MBC's hit variety show "I Live Alone" is expected to undergo major cast changes soon. With the departure of newscaster Kim Dae-ho following his resignation from MBC and the likely exit of actor Lee Jang-woo due to his upcoming marriage, the show is losing key members who have helped maintain its popularity. While these changes may seem like a major setback, they also signal the need for fresh faces to reinvigorate the program.

Kim, who has become the face of "I Live Alone" in recent years, recently announced his resignation from MBC. On the Jan. 31 broadcast of "I Live Alone," he said, "I am grateful to my fellow Rainbow Club members (fellow co-stars) who have shared my life for the past two years. I wanted to show my daily life until the very end. I did my best to share my true self."

His statement naturally raised questions about whether he would continue appearing on the show. While MBC has yet to make an official statement, it is widely known that major broadcasters in Korea, including MBC, have an unwritten rule prohibiting former employees from appearing on their shows for a certain period. KBS, for example, has an official clause restricting such appearances. Given Kim's significant role in the show's recent success, his absence is expected to have a considerable impact.

Additionally, actor Lee Jang-woo is set to marry later this year. On a recent variety show, he hinted at his exit from "I Live Alone," saying, "I am thinking of getting married in the fall or at the end of the year. Once I get married, some things will naturally come to an end."

In the past, actor Lee Si-eon also left the program after getting married, ending his single life. If Lee Jang-woo follows the same pattern, his departure from "I Live Alone" seems inevitable.

Both Kim and Lee Jang-woo have played pivotal roles in maintaining the show’s momentum. As one of MBC's flagship variety programs, "I Live Alone" now faces a major turning point.

Since its debut in 2013, the show has featured various individuals, highlighting the ups and downs of single life. However, it has always been vulnerable to cast changes. When TV host Jun Hyun-moo and actor Han Hye-jin left, the show faced a crisis, further exacerbated by negative rumors surrounding webtoon artist Kian84. Despite these challenges, "I Live Alone" managed to turn things around and maintain its position, proving that such growing pains are part and parcel of a long-running show.

The program has consistently refreshed its lineup, successfully blending old and new members. Veteran members such as comedian Park Na-rae and Kian84 have been joined by new additions like Key of K-pop group SHINee and music producer Code Kunst.

Notably, Jun made a triumphant return to the show, displaying a different energy from before and significantly contributing to its continued success. His segments frequently achieve high viewership ratings and online engagement. The addition of rising star Ku Sung-hwan also further demonstrates the show’s ability to discover fresh talent.

Given its history of overcoming challenges, "I Live Alone" is likely to find a way to navigate these upcoming changes. Rather than focusing on concerns, many viewers are eager to see how the program will restructure its cast and continue evolving in the face of yet another transition.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.