Heechul Comments On Idol Championships, MBC Takes Notice And Responds

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

On JTBC's 'Ssul Jeon', Heechul revealed the inside scoop he had on the popular idol special held a few times a year, the 'Idol Star Athletics Championship'.

As many of you are already aware, this event takes all day to film, sometimes even over 24 hours. In addition to the long filming time, many of the idols also take time to specially prepare for the event on top of the workload they already have, which leads to the question, just why do so many idols go through with participating in the event?

Heechul revealed, "If they don't go on the show, the broadcast station may turn their back on the idols. There's a chance that if the idols reject the offer to appear, they may suffer disadvantages... There is nothing good that will come out from being on bad terms with a broadcast station." He also added that even if idols participate, "There's also the problem of being edited out of the show due to injuries."

However, if all goes well, the show can prove to be beneficial as it increases the popularity and recognition of certain idols. Heechul commented, "Idols who are athletic like ZE:A's Dongjun or SISTAR's Bora have definitely seen the light with this program." He however added, "But there aren't many people like that."

When Heechul commented that Super Junior does not participate in the championships nowadays, Kim Gu Ra joked, "It's because now they want EXO more than Super Junior," bringing laughs on set.

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Q: when did super junior stop joining idol sport championship?

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With netizens showing much interest in Heechul's comments made on JTBC's 'Ssul Jeon' about the 'Idol Star Athletics Championship', MBC was reached for comments and a rep offered the broadcast station's thoughts.

As previously mentioned, Heechul commented that idols don't really have much of a choice when it comes to participating in the event since if they refuse to attend, they might end up putting themselves into a case where they may not be on good terms with the broadcast station. Thereby hinting that this may lead those idol groups to suffer disadvantages on shows like the broadcast station's music programs.

A MBC rep responded on the 27th, "We heard about Heechul's comments on JTBC's 'Ssul Jeon'. Expressing diverse thoughts like that is one of the special traits of 'Ssul Jeon', so we don't think it's something to read into."

"It seems like rumors about idol groups suffering disadvantages on MBC's music programs if they don't appear on 'Idol Star Athletics Championship' have been raised a few times. However, in reality, even in this year's filming there were several cases of idol groups that couldn't make the filming because of their schedules," the rep added, revealing that idols are not forced or threatened to film for the show.

When asked if there is another holiday special 'Idol Star Athletics Championship' planned for this year, another rep commented, "Since the response to this past Chuseok special was good, we are thinking towards the direction of doing one... However, as there is still some time left, we'll have to discuss it when it gets closer to the date."

Source: allkpop (1), (2), gifs here and here

Comments

[wafflesnmilk.livejournal.com]

2 years away from the crazies has done a lot of goods to him . I don't know how to put it into words exactly but he seems slightly more relaxed and genuinely cheery now :') .

[juhli.livejournal.com]

yeah, it seems like that to me too. Good for him!

[kamoteatmani.livejournal.com]

Heechul needs to spill more dirt and make life in Omona more exciting tbh

[maishi-obuki.livejournal.com]

omg that icon

Heechul Making Waves Even From Cable

[hipployta.livejournal.com]

And speaking truth as usual

[bonnieng.livejournal.com]

Is that a cold sore? bb's got the herps. I get those and they are literally the worst.

[dysphoriia.livejournal.com]

it was so boring this year. they should bring back star dance battle.

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

Star dance battle used to be so fun the first few times.

[rawfudge.livejournal.com]

"Since the response to this past Chuseok special was good..."
what a lie who even watches this anymore

tbh it's nice to see all the idols interacting behind the scenes, but when it comes down to it this program is useless. idols are meant to sing and dance, not do sports??

[hearttaek.livejournal.com]

Idk. It certainly has bad rep. But according to this show, where they talked (criticized) the chuseok specials, MBC had the highest tv ratings pulling over 10-15 (i think iAC is even top on its timeslot) while SBS had less than 5. And IAC gets a lot of buzz.

[angela-derp-otp.livejournal.com]

spill that truth tea boy!

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

I actually loved 2008's New Generation Star Trot Battle. When else can we see a trot singing TOP and Daesung being in his element?

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

wha...what is this awesome that you speak of? can it be found online?

[shiddex.livejournal.com]

Whatever MBC heechul speaks no lie

[jlie-ly.livejournal.com]

will this put him on bad term with MBC?

[pentrue.livejournal.com]

they wouldn't dare

[in-noctem.livejournal.com]

What...do they mean another IAC closer to the end of the year? Wouldn't idols be busy with gayo daejuns.

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

I've always thought the consecutive gayo daejuns is so tiring for the idols since each broadcast demands a different performance/special stage, but on the other hand, the fact that there's so many rookies/groups around now may mean less work all around?

[dapo322.livejournal.com]

Why is MBC lying?

I'm sure the last time they had one of these sports things it was already revealed people only go through with it to make sure they can appear on MBC show.

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

Urm I saw a comment on akp saying that they're glad MBC said "even in this year's filming there were several cases of idol groups that couldn't make the filming because of their schedules" because that means if you don't go nothing's going to happen so MBC is telling the truth and there's no disadvantages to not going, only advantages if you go.

...whut? Isn't that precisely the point though? Especially for these rookie groups they NEED the advantage of being on MBC's good side. Yes, you're not explicitly on their "bad side" but if you're not even on their radar for spots on shows, how is that not interpreted as a disadvantage for you?

[caramelorchoco.livejournal.com]

most comments on allkpop are made by people who dont think much about what they say tbh

[asnindie.livejournal.com]

Noone wants another Athletic championship. Give us some idol variety show instead, like King of Idols. Atleast that was fun.

[laeryn.livejournal.com]

That was really fun. If it's what I think it is, it was one of the first variety shows I watched and it was so funny.

[anconeous.livejournal.com]

Preach!!!

[magicpineapple.livejournal.com]

A+ gif usage

[uguukawaii.livejournal.com]

lmao heechul raw af
i like watching the competitions enough but idk why they cant just. .let them leave or sleep or something so people are happy to do it and they can get some bigger stars or something even though i love watching nugus

the REAL tv question is when are they making romantic and idol 3

[ababobaby.livejournal.com]

preach heenim

[hellicoptajuuce.livejournal.com]

lol MBC said the idoks WITH shedules cohldnt go but didnt mention the idols that just did not want to go isnt dat fishy

[gray-fairy.livejournal.com]

lol EXO aren't even that young? Like the two oldest members of EXO are only a couple years younger than Kyuhyun (the youngest SJ member). I don't know why are they talking like they were reaching 50 or something when they're only 25-30. You can't already be active at that age?
But then male idols don't suffer from ageist bullshit!!1. Meh.

[anconeous.livejournal.com]

It's a joke. In idol years, Super Junior ARE old as they've been around since 2005 and the fact that their oldest members are 30 now. EXO, regardless of their ages, have only been around since last year. So yeah, they are young in terms of the idol/celeb hierarchy, even though they're pretty old in compared to the other boygroups who debuted in 2012.

[drownanddive.livejournal.com]

I <3 him and his bluntness.

[pepper.livejournal.com]

Drag them, bby!

[hearttaek.livejournal.com]

I watched this episode and daaaaang. I thought radio star was blunt, these hosts are fearless.

[magicpineapple.livejournal.com]

Oh the groups that I would love to see on this show...

[hugtimes.livejournal.com]

it's so nice to have him back ^^

[luvey.livejournal.com]

this isn't brand new info MBC. we've already heard tales of how gifts, dinners, and waiting in line to greet the PDs of shows get you points of favor. how certain managers have cultivated certain relationships by doing certain favors for PDs.

Chullie did say that certain idols "may" not end up on certain shows, it didn't say this was a definitive practice. so while it may not happen all the time, it may be factored in.

No need to defend yourself MBC, we all know something is stinky with the deals done behind the scene.

[cee-90.livejournal.com]

LMAO I bet broadcasting stations' reps are fidgeting on their seats when Heechul's back from the army. Ain't nobody can stop Kim Heechul to speak the truth.