Kim Shin-young is watching the final proceedings of ‘National Singing Contest’. / Photo = KBS broadcast screen, Shim Jin-hwa’s Instagram capture On the last day of the ‘National Song Proud’, comedian Kim Shin-young (41) expressed her gratitude to viewers with a loud bow.
Kim Shin-young resigned from the hosting table after the 2064th Incheon Seo-gu episode of KBS1’s ‘National Singing Contest’, which aired on the 24th.
Despite acute laryngitis, he opened the stage by energetically shouting “National Singing Proud!” and said, “On Sunday, my youngest daughter Kim Shin-young will bow first. Please be kind to me.”
One participant who went on stage that day touched Kim Shin-young by giving her a bouquet of flowers, saying, “I prepared this on behalf of Incheon.” This participant, who runs a flower shop, said, “Thank you for your hard work over the past year and six months. I am thankful that Seo-gu, Incheon is my last stop.”
Kim Shin-young expressed her gratitude, saying, “It was really fun. I was touched that someone who looked similar to me gave me a bouquet of flowers.”
At the end of the broadcast, he directly greeted the viewers. He said, “I learned a lot while traveling all over the country for 1 year and 6 months. You are the main characters of ‘National Singing Contest’. I am truly grateful for the time.” The broadcast ended with a warm hug with the participants.
Kim Shin-young has led the ‘National Singing Contest’ since October 2022, succeeding the late Song Hae. However, as news of his sudden departure spread, many people expressed curiosity about the background. A post opposing Kim Shin-young’s departure was also posted on the KBS viewer petition bulletin board.
Accordingly, KBS cited ‘falling viewership ratings’ as the main reason for replacing the MC.
KBS said, “The average viewer rating for the 1 year and 5 months that Kim Shin-young was hosting was 4.9% (based on the metropolitan area). Looking at viewership ratings by generation, there was no change in teenagers and the 20-49 generation before and after Kim Shin-young hosted, but in the generation after 50, both men and women He also said that there were 616 complaints and 38 praises received from the KBS viewer consultation room from October 16, 2022 to March 3, 2024 regarding Kim Shin-young’s hosting.
Regarding the fact that it was a unilateral notice of withdrawal without communication, “The production team had many conversations with Kim Shin-young during the MC replacement process, and Kim Shin-young also understood these situations and said that ‘National Singing Contest’, which has continued its long tradition, will continue to be a program loved by many people. “I expressed my intention to support him to remain,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Nam Hee-seok will take over the hosting of ‘National Singing Contest’ following Kim Shin-young.
Kim Soo-young, Hankyung.com reporter swimmingk@hankyung.com
