MBC to replace I Am a Singer producer

By Chung Ah-young

MBC will replace Kim Young-hee, producer of “I Am a Singer,” for the ongoing controversy over last week’s exceptional decision to save veteran singer Kim Gun-mo from elimination.

The replacement is seen as part of the broadcaster’s effort to settle the growing criticism from the viewers over the program’s identity.

The broadcaster said Wednesday that it will change the producer to take responsibility for breaking a promise with viewers. The format was originally intended to drop one of the seven competing singers each week, although there was consensus among staff members and participants over the unexpected situation last week.

MBC also verbally warned Ahn Woo-jung, a chief director of the entertainment team, over the matter.

“We’ve decided to replace the producer as one exception can lead to two or three more and eventually can break the fundamental rule,” the company said.

In the Sunday’s episode, veteran singer Kim was supposed to drop out of the program as he received the lowest grade from jury members for performing Im Joo-ri’s “Heavily Wearing Lipstick” in the latest round of competition. However, after announcing the result, the participating singers and staff alike were shocked as Kim’s singing career spans 20 years. The staff and other competitors agreed to give Kim one more chance.

Since its airing the episode has drawn fierce criticism from viewers over the decision, saying the program is making a fool of the audience.

First aired on March 6, the program intended to select the best singer through fair competition. Seven high-profile singers including Kim Gun-mo, Baek Ji-young, Yoon Do-hyun, Kim Bum-soo, Lee So-ra, Lena Park and Jung Yub compete against each other with a special challenge each week and the worst performer is supposed to be eliminated and a new singer will join the show.

The result is decided by some 500 jury members consisting of ordinary citizens with a wide age range.

MBC will soon decide on a new producer.

MBC, '나는 가수다' 김영희 PD 교체

MBC는 23일 '우리들의 일밤'-'나는 가수다'의 김영희 PD를 교체한다고 밝혔다.

MBC는 "녹화 현장에서 돌발 상황이 발생한 가운데 출연진과 제작진이 합의해서 규칙을 변경했다고 하더라도 '7위 득표자 탈락'은 시청자와의 약속이었다"며 기본 원칙을 지키지 못한 데 대한 책임을 물어 김 PD를 교체한다고 설명했다.

또한 예능국 총괄 책임자인 안우정 예능국장에게는 지휘책임을 물어 구두 경고했다.

MBC는 "한 번의 예외는 두 번, 세 번의 예외로 이어질 수 있고 결국 사회를 지탱하는 근간인 '원칙'을 무너뜨릴 수 있기 때문에 이런 조치를 취하게 됐다"고 덧붙였다.

MBC는 조만간 김영희 PD의 후임을 결정, '나는 가수다' 제작에 투입할 예정이다.

앞서 '나는 가수다' 제작진은 지난 20일 방송에서 7위 득표자로 선정된 김건모에게 서바이벌 규칙을 깨고 재도전 기회를 부여해 시청자들의 거센 반발을 샀다.