Infinite Challenge to end on March 31st

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

MBC's long-running variety show "Infinite Challenge" will have its finale on March 31, a top MBC official said Wednesday.

"The existing show will end on March 31, and we're planning on a new show," Kwon Seok, director of MBC's entertainment bureau, told reporters after a PR event for another MBC program.

MBC producer Choi Haeng-ho will helm the new show, while current director Kim Tae-ho is set to leave after more than 12 years with "Infinite Challenge."
Kwon said nothing has been decided regarding the forthcoming show's format and cast.

"What we want is to take all the cast members of the existing show (to the new one), but since they all have different thoughts, discussions are under way on the matter," he said. There remains a chance the new show could be a sequel to the popular program, he added.

The long-running program is arguably the most successful entertainment show in Korea.

The program has 40 advertisers and generates 522 million won (US$487,750) a week in TV advertising. It also makes a handsome profit from other promotional activities, such as selling calendars, part of which is donated to charity.



Koreans are Nationally Petitioning the End of “Infinity Challenge”

Meanwhile, the national petition opposing the end of ‘Infinity Challenge’ is pouring in. On Chungwadae’s (the Blue House) national petition board, the citizens are signing petitions opposing the renewal of ‘Infinity Challenge.’

On the board, some are asking the team not use the name ‘Infinity Challenge’ if the original members are not continuing with the program. One petitioner said, “Infinity Challenge without the original members will not be the same. If you want to end the show, do not use the same name for the renewed program.” Another said, “I don’t understand MBC. If you want to change everything about the program, then just end the show in grace and start anew.”

However, some netizens think this is a bit extreme. One said “I was also shocked by the news, but this is not worthy of petitioning to the Blue House.”




Lol netizens. Other reports I've seen says that talks are over and they are all leaving. I can't believe it's been 12 years.

sources: Yonhap News, KPopLove via isplus 1 2

Comments

[vintage-boom.livejournal.com]

i still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that 12 years can count as 1 season in korean variety shows lol

bless em for being on air that long. that's quite a feat.

[anconeous.livejournal.com]

I just can't imagine Infinite Challenge without Yoo Jaesuk. Or the fact that there isn't an Infinite Challenge.

[modestgoddess79.livejournal.com]

If the entire cast is leaving it is better to create a new show than use the Infinite Challenge name