On the 12th, KBS1's 'National Singing Contest' featured Lee Hoseop (61) as a special MC due to Song Hae (93) being absent from the recording for personal reasons. Photo by KBS1 'National Singing Contest' broadcast screen capture.
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Broadcaster Song Hae (93) was absent from the recording of 'National Singing Contest' due to personal reasons.
The December 12th KBS1 'National Singing Contest,' organized as a 40th-anniversary special, featured composer Lee Ho-seop (61) as a special MC.
In the broadcast, the 'National Singing Contest' production team introduced him with subtitles as "MC Lee Ho-seop, who was suddenly brought in due to Song Hae's personal circumstances."
Earlier, Song Hae was hospitalized at Hanyang University Hospital on the 26th of last month due to a high fever caused by a cold. As a result, he missed the scheduled recording of 'National Singing Contest.' Contrary to many netizens' concerns, he tested negative for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
At the end of last December, Song Hae was also hospitalized with cold and pneumonia symptoms. Afterwards, he returned in March with KBS announcer Lim Soo-min through a special broadcast of 'National Singing Contest' held amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In that broadcast, Song Hae greeted viewers by saying, "I am Song Hae, the Sunday man who always meets you every Sunday."
Meanwhile, Song Hae debuted as a comedian in 1955 and has been active as the MC of 'National Singing Contest' since 1980. Lee Ho-seop is the president of the Korean Vocal Music Association and a composer of songs such as Seol Woon-do's 'Together Cha-cha-cha,' Yoon Hee-sang's 'Woman of Casbah,' and Lee Ja-yeon's 'Chalrang Chalrang.'
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