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| Veteran entertainer Song Hae / Courtesy of KBS |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Veteran entertainer and emcee Song Hae is reportedly leaving "National Singing Contest," a talent show broadcast from a different location each week, which has been on the air since 1980.
The 95-year-old has hosted the show since May 1988. According to the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), Song expressed his intention to leave the show, citing his deteriorating health.
"It's true that Song is considering leaving the show. He thinks now is a good time to leave the show due to health reasons. However, the production team is still in discussions with Song about his possible departure and the future of the program," the broadcaster told local media.
Recently, Song has had health problems. In January, he was hospitalized due to a severe cold. In March, he tested positive for COVID-19. On Monday, he was admitted to a hospital with an undisclosed illness.
The "National Singing Contest," which used to be held in outdoor venues in various regions with thousands of residents gathering, stopped touring in March 2020 due to the pandemic, and special clips from previous shows have since been aired. The broadcaster was planning to resume touring and shooting outdoors in early June.
Song, born in 1927, is one of Korea's oldest celebrities and has a huge fanbase, from children to the elderly. Throughout his career, he worked as a comedian, actor and radio show host, but of course, it was "National Singing Contest," which he joined as a host at the age of 60 that marked a watershed moment in his life.
KBS has been in the process of nominating Song for the Guinness Book of World Records as being the longest running presenter on a TV show.
The television host's life was turned into a movie, "Song Hae 1927," in 2021. In January, KBS aired a special trot musical titled, "Thank You, Song Hae," that recounts the veteran entertainer's life.
