‘Radio Star’ has been on air for 19 years and is aiming for its 900th episode. Excluding ‘Surprise,’ it is the longest-running program among currently airing MBC variety shows and continues to receive great love. The four MCs of ‘Radio Star’ have expressed their ambition to continue until the 1000th episode.
On the 22nd, a press conference was held to celebrate the 900th episode of MBC's variety program ‘Radio Star’ at the new MBC building in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Kim Gook-jin, Kim Gu-ra, Yoo Se-yoon, Jang Do-yeon, and PD Kim Myung-yeob.
‘Radio Star’ first aired on May 30, 2007, and will celebrate its 900th episode on February 5. The eldest member, Kim Gook-jin, expressed his amazement, saying, “It’s surprising to reach 900 episodes. When we first started, we just began, and now we’ve reached 900. It’s a wonderful feeling to be together. Reaching 900 episodes is a very pleasant thing.”
Kim Gu-ra stated, “I became a comedian in 1993. I have been with ‘Radio Star’ for 18 years. Back in my middle and high school days, I saw great seniors thriving on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and programs that exceeded 1000 episodes. Now ‘Radio Star’ has already reached 900 episodes and will soon reach 1000. I am grateful to be able to work hard on such a program,” adding, “No matter how good my work is, when people think of me, they think of ‘Radio Star.’ I am thankful for that.”
Yoo Se-yoon said, “I didn’t start from the first episode like the others, but I joined midway and then came back. It’s meaningful to be part of a long-running program. Personally, I think it’s great for my image. It’s an honor to be part of a long-running program.”
Jang Do-yeon expressed, “I haven’t been with the show for long, so I feel embarrassed and shy to be sitting here for the 900th episode celebration. The first episode aired in 2007, which is also the year I debuted. I want to think of it as a fateful program, so I made it fit,” she joked. She added, “I will work hard to ensure I can stay in my position without being pushed out for the 1000th episode.”
Jang Do-yeon also mentioned, “I joined ‘Radio Star’ about 1 year and 2-3 months ago. Every week during recordings, I feel the name value of ‘Radio Star.’ The guests also think, ‘It’s ‘Radio Star,’’ which is significant. Although there have been changes in the production team up to the 900th episode, many people have worked hard to build the brand. I think that’s why viewers can come and speak freely.”
She continued, “My position has been occupied by many people, and many covet it. I feel every week that there’s a reason why the program has lasted so long. The MCs are firmly established in the entertainment industry. As we age, we may get trapped in what older people expect, but as we mature, it can become less fun. However, there’s a heavy yet playful aspect to it. I think it’s a great educational environment when I see how they fill in the gaps.”
‘Radio Star’ started as a segment of ‘Golden Fishery’ and was so small that it sometimes aired for only 5 minutes, depending on the scheduling of ‘Knee Drop Guru.’ The program was so uncertain about its airtime that it would shout, “See you next week. Please!” every episode. What has driven ‘Radio Star’ to achieve the milestone of 900 episodes?
Kim Gu-ra, who has held the MC position for 19 years, said, “‘Radio Star’ is a talk show. I think talk shows are 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 programs hosted by heavyweight MCs also have their handicaps,” he added, “At that time, ‘Radio Star’ aimed for a talk show but was not a traditional one; it was a real-based studio talk show. We rolled the snowball lightly and small. From the broadcaster's perspective, efficiency is also important.”
Kim Gu-ra also mentioned, “As I get older, I tell my juniors, ‘Isn’t it good to just be comfortable?’ But that seems difficult. I think that’s why it’s more comfortable than other programs.”
PD Kim Myung-yeob explained, “I think of myself as someone close to the viewers. I watched ‘Radio Star’ when I was in high school. Even now, I don’t get tired of it. I think the program’s identity appeals well to people of all ages. I am a living witness.”
Over the past 19 years, a total of 1814 guests have appeared on ‘Radio Star.’ The program continues to attract attention with guests that fit the term ‘special feature’ every episode. Who are some memorable guests that have appeared so far?
Without hesitation, Kim Gook-jin picked Solbi. Solbi appeared in 2016 and caused a stir by claiming she was a ‘Roman Princess’ in her past life. Kim Gook-jin said, “I can’t forget Solbi’s Roman Princess. Even after time passes,” drawing attention. He continued, “While recording, I thought, ‘No way,’ when Solbi was talking. I thought, ‘This can’t be happening,’ but it was so funny to see her pushing the Roman Princess narrative. Even now, I believe Solbi is a Roman Princess. Personally, she is the most memorable.”
He added, “The only person I want to invite back is Solbi. I want to see the Roman Princess return to reality.”
Yoo Se-yoon mentioned, “The episode with Park Jun-hyung and Brian was the funniest episode.” He said, “It’s always the funniest when a junior comedian comes out and doesn’t make me laugh at all, but that day, Jae-hyung from Pisik University appeared and was caught between the two, unable to do anything. That was the biggest happiness.”
Jang Do-yeon chose an episode she didn’t appear in. She said, “I was a viewer for a longer period,” and “When MC Kyuhyun was there, Hong Jin-kyung appeared. At that time, there was a meme of Hong Jin-kyung looking at Kyuhyun and saying, ‘What’s up with him?’ I still don’t get tired of it even this morning,” expressing her affection.
PD Kim picked Lim Woo-il. He explained, “Kim Gu-ra and Yoo Se-yoon highly recommended him. He became an issue after appearing on ‘Radio Star,’ and he did well, so seeing him succeed feels like we’ve raised a child, and I have affection for him. I have high expectations for him as a candidate for the Rookie of the Year award at the ‘MBC Entertainment Awards.’” He added, “There are many celebrities that Jang Dong-yeon likes. I hope they come to see it instead of just saying they like it. I won’t mention names, but there are so many, like Son Seok-koo and Gong Yoo. I hope they come,” making everyone laugh.
The 900th episode special will air on February 5. PD Kim said, “We have been preparing for 5 months. We have invited very precious guests. The recording was so fun that we prepared two episodes, 900 and 901, at the same recording time as other episodes. After the broadcast on January 29, you can look forward to who will appear. A legendary episode is coming,” raising expectations.
He added, “It’s true that terrestrial variety shows have lost influence and buzz compared to the past, and it’s bittersweet. However, seeing ‘Radio Star’ consistently rank high in buzz index makes me think that viewers are showing a lot of interest and that we are generating some buzz. It’s one of the terrestrial variety shows that often appears in YouTube trends, and we are working hard to maintain our buzz.”
He also mentioned, “YouTube talk shows invite superstars to drink or have conversations, which can be compared to us. We may seem lacking. While monitoring YouTube web variety shows, I often find that most of them are promotional, and we don’t get to see their genuine stories. Many people genuinely want to appear on our program. Sometimes we share honest stories and express things you can’t see elsewhere. Like a mixed gift set, we consider various age groups without leaning towards one, and we are walking a path that only terrestrial variety shows can and should take. We are trying our best,” he expressed his aspirations.
In response, Kim Gu-ra said, “People like Lee Jung-jae and Kim Hye-soo originally didn’t come. They have their own promotional methods. Considering the nature of being an actor, we should think about whether showing all their down-to-earth sides would help. At one time, promoting on news programs was the trend, and now it’s YouTube,” he pointed out. He added, “If the trend changes and we fit in, those (superstars) may come out. I don’t worry about that.”
Finally, Kim Gu-ra stated, “I will see this MC again for the 1000th episode,” adding, “The MCs have changed due to various circumstances. Unless I hit a jackpot of 1 billion won in stocks and voluntarily step down, or unless the other MCs step down for good reasons, you will see this MC for the 1000th episode,” expressing his determination to maintain the four MC system.
‘Radio Star’ airs every Wednesday at 10:30 PM.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
