"Don't Erase This Kind of Thing in the World" A Handwritten Letter from a 9-Year-Old Viewer

Appeal for "Cancellation Withdrawal" on SBS Viewer Board

The long-running SBS current affairs and educational program 'Moment Capture: Unbelievable Stories in the World,' which has been on air for 26 years, is reportedly facing cancellation, drawing attention as a handwritten letter from a 9-year-old child pleading to keep the show was revealed.

[Photo by SBS, captured from the viewer's board of 'Moment Capture: Unbelievable Stories in the World']

On the 17th, a post titled "Even a 9-year-old child absolutely opposes the cancellation" was uploaded on SBS’s ‘Moment Capture: Unbelievable Stories in the World’ viewer bulletin board.

The author, identified as A, said, "I was very surprised to see in the news that the program ‘Unbelievable Stories in the World’ is being canceled," and added, "It has been the favorite program from my parents’ generation to my daughter’s." They continued, "My daughter was so sad that she wrote a letter and asked me to send it to SBS," and pleaded, "We want to continue watching it together as three generations in the living room. Please withdraw the cancellation."

The post included a photo of a handwritten letter presumed to be written by the child. Introducing themselves as a "2nd grader," the child wrote in clumsy handwriting, "Broadcasting station aunties and uncles, please don’t cancel ‘Unbelievable Stories in the World.’ It’s my favorite program. Please." On the back of the letter, there was a drawing of tears forming an ocean alongside crying emoticons (ㅠㅠ).

[Photo by SBS, captured from the viewer's board of 'Moment Capture: Unbelievable Stories']

More than 20 posts asking to withdraw the cancellation have been posted on the program’s viewer bulletin board besides this letter. Viewers responded with comments such as, "It’s one of the few good programs we can watch with family," "A part of broadcasting history. Please don’t cancel it," and "In the rapidly changing media world, touching stories of neighbors and animals that are easy to overlook unless carefully watched have value beyond simple ratings. Please stop the cancellation."

‘Unbelievable Stories in the World’ is an SBS program that introduces fascinating, fun, or touching stories and has been airing since May 1998, marking 26 years on air. Especially, broadcasters Lim Seong-hoon and Park So-hyun have been the main MCs from the early days until now, and in September 2018, they received a plaque of appreciation from SBS upon reaching 1,000 episodes. Recently, news has emerged that SBS is considering cancellation due to the program’s outdated image and lack of competitiveness. The program’s ratings have recently been in the 2% range, with the highest rating this year reported at 3.4%.

PDs affiliated with the current affairs and educational division expressed opposition to the cancellation, stating, "Evaluation criteria for the program should include intangible values encompassing the role it plays within the organization, not just profits." Host Lim Seong-hoon also told an entertainment media outlet on the 17th, "The cancellation is not yet confirmed," and added, "As an MC, I have conveyed a request to the current affairs and educational division and the broadcasting scheduling department to reconsider."

On the 17th, SBS stated, "Nothing has been finalized. Discussions are ongoing from multiple angles."

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