Avoiding Risks Due to Disciplinary Action That 'Reminded of the Democratic Party'
The MBC flagship variety show 'King of Mask Singer' 9th anniversary special, which was scheduled to air on the 7th, was canceled. The decision was made internally due to concerns that the number 9, associated with the Innovation Party of the Nation (Joguk Hyuksin-dang) candidate number 9, might be evoked ahead of the April 10 general election. On the 6th, MBC announced on its official website, "The 'King of Mask Singer' episode scheduled for Sunday the 7th will be canceled due to production scheduling." The 9th anniversary special was postponed by one week, and the vacant slot was filled with a 'I Live Alone Special.'
Notice of Broadcast Cancellation for the 9th Anniversary Special of 'King of Mask Singer' Posted on MBC Official Website
In February, during a weather forecast, MBC displayed a large blue number '1' while saying, "Next to me now is a number 1 taller than me. Today, the fine dust concentration in Seoul dropped to 1 microgram," which led to disciplinary action from the Election Broadcasting Deliberation Commission for allegedly evoking the Democratic Party of Korea. Since the 'King of Mask Singer' 9th anniversary special was planned to emphasize the number 9 through song selections and production, including performing the theme song of the animation 'Galaxy Express 999,' the cancellation three days before the general election is interpreted as a decision to avoid misunderstandings.
The Innovation Party of the Nation responded immediately. Chief spokesperson Shin Jang-sik expressed indignation, saying, "If that's the case, bring forward KBS's 9 o'clock news to 2 o'clock! Ban the entire country's multiplication tables! Change the jersey number 9 of former Suwon Samsung player Kim Geon-hee to number 2! Is this something acceptable in 2024?" Spokesperson Lee Ji-su sarcastically remarked, "Since they are making such a fuss over green onions, it is understandable," while pointing out that "out of 18 legal sanctions decided by the Election Broadcasting Deliberation Commission since its establishment in December last year, 11 were against MBC." She analyzed, "MBC might be fed up with such unreasonable sanctions," and added, "While understanding, it is also sad to see how things have come to this."
She also questioned, "Why does KBS, which blatantly promotes the Innovation Party of the Nation with its '9 o'clock news' signal every night at 9, not face sanctions? How long will the Yoon Seok-yeol administration watch elementary school students reciting multiplication tables?" She claimed, "Just two years ago, we woke up as an advanced country, but now we live in an era of censorship and sanctions. After gagging mouths, ears, and chopping off green onions, now it's the '9-block' regime." She promised, "The Innovation Party of the Nation will summon the head of the organization that led the 'broadcasting takeover' by the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution dictatorship regime at the 22nd National Assembly standing committee to hold them accountable."
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