Special Programs to Watch During the 'Idong Jajae' Lunar New Year Holiday

Ahead of the Winter Olympics, Stars Recreate Curling Emotions in Pilot 'Curling Queens'
Attention on Tribute Musical for Song Hae, Soon to Be Guinness-Registered World's Oldest Broadcaster

Thank you all. Song Hae

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "Yeongmi, Yeongmi!" The excitement of curling, which captured national attention during the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, will light up the "home stage" during the Lunar New Year holiday. A tribute musical dedicated to MC Song Hae, the world's oldest active host who challenged the Guinness World Record, will also be specially scheduled for viewers.

The spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has changed the landscape of holiday broadcasting. With the necessity to refrain from meeting relatives, broadcasters have prepared a variety of special programs to soothe viewers' regrets. From variety show pilots to trot music specials, interesting programs will continue throughout the Lunar New Year holiday.

KBS has prepared a special program about Song Hae, the oldest active entertainer in Korea who personally experienced the hardships of modern history. The trot musical "Thank You Everyone, Song Hae," depicting his eventful life, will be presented on the 31st. The first act, themed "My Longed-for Hometown," covers Song Hae's childhood, featuring Park Aeri, Jung Dongwon, and Lee Chanwon singing about parting with their mother.

The second act, with themes such as "Portrait of Youth, Fulfilling Dreams, My Love, Her," stars Lee Chanwon, Taejina, Youngtak, Kim Yeonja, Seol Hayoon, and Shin Yu. The third act, themed "National Singing Contest, Thank You Everyone," features Hong Jameon, Song Sohee, Park Seojin, and Kim Taeyeon performing on stage. In the fourth act, the protagonist Song Hae appears in person to convey emotion and the meaning of the Lunar New Year to viewers.

Joseon Pop Again Song Ga-in

Singer Song Gain, born in the Year of the Tiger, will present an exciting traditional Korean music stage to drive away bad luck and pray for blessings in the new year. KBS's "2022 Lunar New Year Special Joseon Pop Again Song Gain" features her first joint stage with her mother, master Song Sundan. Along with masters Park Geumhee and Nam Sangil, the KBS Traditional Korean Orchestra, AUX, and Yuhuiska, a diverse lineup prepares a variety of performances ranging from traditional Korean music to trot. It will air on February 1 at 6:20 PM on KBS 2TV.

MBC has prepared the Lunar New Year special pilot "Song of Ice and Stone: Curling Queens." This is Korea's first female celebrity curling league (WCCL) program, where familiar stars from various fields such as actors, announcers, professional golfers, and comedians compete for their team's honor. It will be broadcast on January 29, the start of the Lunar New Year holiday, and on February 1, Lunar New Year's Day.

Actresses Oh Hyunkyung and Jung Sia, and comedian Jo Hyeryeon participate as the actresses' team. Former national team volleyball player Han Yumi, swimmer Jung Yuin, and rhythmic gymnast Shin Suji, all familiar with fierce competition, play as the national team. World-class golf queens participate as the golf team. The dancer team known as "Born Battle Woman Fighters," who appeared on "Street Woman Fighter," also joins. Former announcer Bae Jihyun and other baseball goddesses join as the announcer team.

Song of Ice and Stone: Curling Queens.

SBS will present the pilot "Fantastic Family," where a panel listens to songs sung by family members of stars and guesses the star. It is scheduled for February 1 and 2. In this so-called "DNA Singer" format, when a star's family sings, the DNA panel guesses which star's family they are by their faces and voices. The surprising singing skills of the DNA singers, who perfectly embody the star's talent and ability, and duet stages performed directly with the stars will offer new excitement and fun.

Lee Soo-geun will serve as the sole MC, and the DNA panel includes singer Yang Hee-eun, actress sisters Yang Heekyung, Yang Sechan, Jang Doyeon, Joo Younghoon, Lee Hyunyi, Oh My Girl's Seunghee and YooA, Monsta X's Jooheon and Minhyuk.

SBS's "Secrets of the Suckers' Private Tutoring," which received favorable reviews during its pilot broadcast last November, will be regularly scheduled during the holiday. Featuring current and former industry insiders as "negative role models" exposing industry secrets, the first episode airing on the 29th will candidly reveal the realities of the "interior design" industry, which viewers requested the most.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.