Comedian Kim Shin-young, the host of KBS1's "National Singing Contest," has left the program after one year and six months. The decision was made suddenly without prior consultation with the host or the production team. She will be replaced by comedian Nam Hee-suk.

Kim’s management agency C-JeS Studios said in a phone interview with Kyunghyang Shinmun on March 4, "Last week, the production team contacted us with embarrassment after being informed (by the broadcasting company) that it would replace the host," adding, "We were notified that Kim had to leave without any consultation process." As a result, Kim will bow out of the program after recording the last episode that will be held in Incheon.

Kim replaced the late Song Hae, who hosted the program for 34 years, and took charge of the show from October 2022. At the time, KBS touted her appointment as "the first female host of National Singing Contest” in a press release. While some voiced concern over Song’s vacancy, Kim was praised for energizing the show. Since 2012, she has been hosting a radio show in MBC and was recognized for her acting in Park Chan-wook's film “Decision to Leave." Kim’s management agency said, "Kim will vigorously work on the final recording with the production team who have traveled across the country."

On the same day, KBS announced that Nam Hee-suk had been confirmed as the new host, with no specific explanation as to why Kim was replaced. The recording, hosted by Nam, will air for the first time on March 31. He has been hosting the Channel A’s entertainment show "Now On My Way to Meet You” since 2012.

There are some suspicions on social networking services (SNS) that there is a political background in the replacement of the host. This is because Nam has shown his friendship with key figures in the ruling party. In December of last year, Nam held a lecture in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, which featured the wife of lawmaker Jang Dong-hyuk, whom Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP), referred to as his "soulmate.” Nam also attended a New Year's greeting party that lawmaker Park Sung-min, a close aide of President Yoon Suk-yeol, held in January. The program’s management and production team that appointed Kim was replaced shortly after KBS President Park Min took office last November.

A source close to Nam said, "Nam is familiar with many figures not only in the PPP but also in the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea,” adding, “As far as I know, there is no political consideration in the current replacement of the host."

"National Song Contest" is Korea's longest-running TV show that has been aired since November 9, 1980. Singer Lee Han-pil, broadcaster Lee Sang-yong, and anchors Ko Kwang-soo and Choi Sun-gyu have served as the hosts. Song Hae was listed in the U.K.’s Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest show host, hosting the program for 34 years from May 1988 to June 2022.