Broadcaster Kim Gura cited ‘comfort’ as the secret to the longevity of ‘Radio Star’.
On the 22nd, a press conference was held to celebrate the 900th episode of MBC’s entertainment program ‘Radio Star’ at the new MBC building in Sangam, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Kim Guk-jin, Kim Gura, Yoo Se-yoon, Jang Do-yeon, and PD Kim Myung-yeob.
‘Radio Star’, which first aired on May 30, 2007, will celebrate its 900th episode on February 5. The first broadcast started as a segment of ‘Golden Fishery’ and was so small that it could only air for five minutes depending on the scheduling of ‘Knee Drop Guru’.
What is the driving force behind ‘Radio Star’ achieving the milestone of 900 episodes, despite not even knowing its airtime and shouting “See you next week, please” every episode?
Kim Gura, who has been the MC for 19 years, said, “‘Radio Star’ is a talk show. Isn’t a talk show the most versatile form of entertainment?” He continued, “At the time of the first broadcast, there were much more outstanding and heavyweight MCs hosting talk shows. There was ‘Knee Drop Guru’ hosted by Kang Ho-dong, and ‘Come to Play’ and ‘Happy Together’ hosted by Yoo Jae-suk and Kim Won-hee. However, I think those heavyweight MCs’ programs also have their own handicaps,” adding, “At that time, ‘Radio Star’ aimed to be a talk show, but it was a real-based studio talk show rather than a traditional one. (We rolled the snowball) lightly and small. Isn’t efficiency also important from the broadcaster’s perspective?” which drew laughter.
Kim Gura also added, “As I get older, I tell my juniors that ‘it’s good to just be comfortable.’ But that seems to be difficult. I think it’s because it has a more comfortable nature than other programs that it has lasted this long.”
‘Radio Star’ airs every Wednesday at 10:30 PM.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
