방송인 강호동 (43)이 전성기를 함께했던 ‘1박2일’로 돌아올까.
한 매체는 19일 방송관계자의 말을 인용하며 KBS 고위 관계자들이 ‘1박2일’ 시즌3에 강호동을 섭외하기 위해 노력하고 있다고 보도했다.
이 매체에 따르면 지난주 강호동이 출연하고 있는 ‘우리동네 예체능’ 촬영 현장을 찾은 KBS TV본부장과 박태호 KBS 예능제작 국장은 강호동과 여러 이야기를 나누는 중 ‘1박2일’시즌 3 출연과 관련된 이야기 역시 나눴다고 한다.
그러나 이에 대해 ‘1박2일’ 측은 “격려차 방문한 것이 와전된 것”이라고 해명했다.
한편 익명을 요구한 또다른 관계자는 “’1박2일' 시즌3 제작진은 강호동 섭외에 대해 호의적이지 않은 것으로 안다”고 밝혔다.
‘1박2일’ 시즌 3는 오는 22일 녹화를 시작하여 12월 1일에 첫 방송될 예정이다.
<관련 영문 기사>
Rumors suggest Kang’s return to ‘1 Night, 2 Days’ may be imminent
With KBS reportedly mulling potential hosts for the latest season of its leading reality show “1 Night, 2 Days,” reports are suggesting that the local broadcaster is trying to get popular comedian Kang Ho-dong to appear on the show again.
The Star News reported Tuesday that several high-ranking officials from KBS visited Kang while he was filming the latest episode of a sports variety program “Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education.”
Quoting an unnamed KBS official who was present at the site, the local news outlet claimed that Kang and the KBS big names talked about Kang possibly making an appearance on season 3 of “1 Night, 2 Days.”
Later in the day, KBS denied the report and said that the visit was merely to encourage Kang and the other members of “Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education.” An unnamed official from KBS said that producers of the “1 Night, 2 Days” were not leaning toward having Kang host the show.
Earlier this month, another news outlet said that Kang and singer Eun Ji-won received offers to appear on the show’s most recent season. Both denied the report.
Rumors of Kang’s return appear to reflect the public’s anticipation that the comedian, once the kingpin of the variety shows in the country, will be able to restore “1 Night, 2 Days” back to its former glory. Kang was the main host of the show’s first season, which enjoyed huge popularity until the comedian temporarily left show business after a tax evasion scandal in 2011.
While Kang is no longer the top dog among TV show hosts, his ability to entertain the crowd remains intact, as shown by the huge success of “Our Neighborhood Arts and Physical Education.”
In addition, Kang’s popularity was at its highest while hosting “1 Night, 2 Days,” which also peaked during Kang’s era. With the subpar performance of season 2, many fans of the show are hoping Kang’s return cant reignite the spark the show had in its heyday.
By Yoon Min-sik
(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)