Will Kang Ho-dong leave '1 Night, 2 Days'?

By Chung Ah-young

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Popular show host and comedian Kang Ho-dong, 41, has hinted that he may quit KBS variety program "1 Night, 2 Days", shocking the entertainment scene.

KBS confirmed Thursday that it is true that Kang expressed his intention to leave the program. The broadcaster released a statement saying that he wants to step down from the show but nothing has been decided.

"The show is a very popular entertainment program widely loved by the public. As Kang has a strong attachment to the program, we hope he will make a wise decision for the show and the fans", the statement said.

Kang also reiterated that nothing has been decided yet on Friday morning prior to the recording of the show in front of the KBS Hall in Yeoido. "As KBS has announced a official statement, we haven't decided anything about my position. I am talking a lot with the producers. If a decision is made, I will let you know immediately", he said.

After the possibility of Kang's leaving was first made known to the public through the Internet on Wednesday, many fans and observers have speculated that he might move to one of the new channels licensed by broadcasting regulators to provide "comprehensive programming", combining original news reports with entertainment, drama and documentaries, which will make their debut later this year.

The terrestrial broadcasters, SBS, MBC, KBS, are worried about a possible exodus of the major entertainers as the new cable channels will start at the end of the year. Kang's move is seen as only the start of the following departure of high-profile entertainers such as Yoo Jae-suk to the high-paying new channels.

Amid the controversy over his stance, fans of "1 Night, 2 Days" have started an online petition opposing his possible resignation from the show. Nearly 10,000 people have joined the online movement, saying "Without Kang, there is no meaning for the program".

More than 2,300 posts have flooded the online bulletin board on the program's website. Most of the messages express disappointment about his announcement and some of them criticized Kang's irresponsible move without consideration for his fans and staff.

Kang has hosted "1 Night, 2 Days" for the last four years, the highest-rated program on weekend primetime since its inception in 2007. Kang and other members go on trips to beautiful spots for one night and two days and play games. He won the grand prize at the annual KBS Entertainment Awards in 2008 for hosting the show.

강호동 "'1박2일' 하차 관련 결정된 것 없어"

강호동이 KBS 2TV '해피선데이 - 1박2일' 하차설과 관련해 처음으로 입장을 밝혔다.

강호동은 12일 여의도 KBS 신관 앞에서 진행된 '1박2일' 오프닝 녹화에 앞서 취재진에게 "제작진 말대로 하차와 관련해 결정된 건 아무것도 없다"고 말했다.

이어 "현재 제작진과 많은 이야기를 나누고 있다"면서 "결과가 나오면 바로 말씀드리겠다"고 덧붙였다.

강호동을 비롯한 '1박2일' 멤버들은 이날 시청자 투어를 위한 예비 캠프에 참여했으며, 녹화는 정상적으로 진행됐다.

한편, 강호동의 '1박2일' 하차설이 불거지면서 온라인 공간에서는 강호동의 행보에 관한 추측이 난무하고 있다.

종합편성채널 이적설이 힘을 얻고 있지만, 일부에서는 SBS 등 다른 지상파 방송사가 신설 예능 프로그램 MC 자리를 놓고 공을 들이고 있다는 주장도 나온다.

또 강호동뿐만 아니라 '1박2일' 나영석 PD 역시 종합편성채널로 이적할 가능성이 있다는 추측도 쏟아지고 있다.

강호동의 '1박2일' 하차설은 지난 10일 처음으로 불거졌으며, KBS는 이튿날인 11일 예능국 명의의 보도자료를 통해 "강호동 씨가 '1박2일'의 하차의사를 전달한 건 사실이지만 현재까지 결정된 건 아무것도 없다"는 입장을 밝혔다.