MBC Newsdesk is a South Korean television news broadcasting show broadcast by MBC. Originally anchored by Park Geun-sook, it aired from October 5, 1970 to present. The newscast aired at 7:50 pm KST. Jo Hyun-yong and Kim Su-ji serves as the currently anchors for weekdays and Kim Cho-rong serves as the currently anchors for weekdays. It recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, making it the longest-running newscast in South Korean television.[citation needed]

MBC Newsdesk
Titlecard for part 1 as of June 29, 2020
GenreNewscast
Presented byWeekdays:
Jo Hyun-yong
Kim Su-ji
Weekends:
Kim Cho-rong
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodesn/a airs daily
Production
Production locationSouth Korea
Camera setupMultiple-camera setup
Running time
  • 95 minutes (Monday-Thursday)
  • 60 minutes (Friday)
  • 50 minutes (Saturday)
  • 30 minutes (Sunday and Holiday)
Production companyMBC News
Original release
NetworkMBC TV
ReleaseOctober 5, 1970 (1970-10-05) –
present

History

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The newscast premiered on October 5, 1970, as MBC 뉴우스데스크 due to the orthography at the time. It was then renamed MBC News Scene (MBC 뉴스의 現場) on 1976 before reverting to its original title in 1980, this time as MBC 뉴스데스크.

Broadcast times
Year Date Broadcast Airtime Title Notes
1970 October 5 weekdays 22:30-22:55 MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴우스데스크) First broadcast with the current title; also first flagship newscast by a public broadcaster
1971 February 7 22:00-22:30 timeslot change
March 1 22:00-22:20 runtime extension
September 2 Monday-Saturday 22:00-22:30
October 4 weekdays 22:00-22:25
1972 October 30 22:00-22:30 runtime reduction
1974 November 2 weekdays, Sundays 22:00-22:30 (weekdays)

21:40-21:55 (Sundays)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴우스데스크) (weekdays)

MBC Comprehensive News (Sundays)

new standalone program on Sundays
1975 January 6 22:00-22:30 (weekdays)

21:35-21:55

(Sundays)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴우스데스크) integration with Comprehensive News
April 7 everyday 22:00-22:30 (weekdays)

22:05-22:55 (Saturdays)

21:35-21:55 (Sundays)

runtime extension
October 13 22:00-22:30 (weekdays)

22:00-22:20 (Saturdays)

21:35-21:55 (Sundays)

timeslot change on Saturdays
1976 April 12 21:00-21:25 (weekdays, Saturdays)

21:25-21:45 (Sundays)

timeslot change on Monday-Saturday
April 26 MBC News Scene title change
October 18 21:00-21:25 (weekdays)

21:30-21:50 (weekends)

timeslot change on weekends
1977 April 18 21:00-21:30 (weekdays)

21:30-21:50 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekdays
1978 October 16 21:00-21:30 (weekdays)

21:00-21:20 (weekends)

timeslot change on weekends
1980 March 3 21:00-21:35 (weekdays)

21:00-21:20 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekdays
September 2 21:00-21:40 (weekdays)

21:00-21:20 (weekends)

December 15 21:00-21:35 (weekdays)

21:00-21:20 (weekends)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크) return to the current title
1981 March 15 21:00-21:35 (Mondays-Saturdays)

21:00-22:00 (Sundays)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크)

MBC News Center (Sundays)

new standalone program on Sundays
September 30 21:00-21:40 (weekdays)

21:00-21:35 (Saturdays)

21:00-22:00 (Sundays)

runtime extension on weekdays
1982 October 18 21:00-21:40 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (Saturdays)

21:00-22:00 (Sundays)

runtime reduction on Saturdays
1984 April 10 21:00-21:40 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (Saturdays)

21:00-21:50 (Sundays)

runtime reduction on Sundays
October 22 21:00-21:40 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (weekends)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크) integration with News Center
1985 March 4 21:00-21:45 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekdays
1987 May 4 21:00-21:50 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (weekends)

1988 May 9 21:00-21:50 (weekdays)

21:00-21:25 (weekends)

runtime reduction on weekends
1989 April 24 21:00-21:45 (weekdays) MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크) (Mondays-Saturdays)

MBC News Center (Sundays)

new standalone program on Sundays
October 30 21:00-21:40 (weekdays)

21:00-21:25 (weekends)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크) integration with News Center
1990 April 28 21:00-21:50 (weekdays)

21:00-21:25 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekdays
1991 April 21 21:00-21:50 (weekdays, Sundays)

21:00-21:25 (Saturdays)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크) (Mondays-Saturdays)

MBC News Center (Sundays)

new standalone program on Sundays
October 2 21:00-21:45 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (Saturdays)

21:00-21:50 (Sundays)

runtime reduction on weekdays, extension on Saturdays
1993 May 3 21:00-21:45 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (Saturdays)

21:00-21:40 (Sundays)

runtime reduction on Sundays
October 18 21:00-21:45 (weekdays)

21:00-21:40 (weekends)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크) integration with News Center
1994 February 21 21:00-21:45 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (weekends)

runtime reduction on weekends
1996 January 16 21:00-21:45 (weekdays)

21:00-21:35 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekdays
March 5 21:00-21:45 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (weekends)

runtime reduction on weekends
1997 January 6 21:00-21:50 (weekdays)

21:00-21:30 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekdays
1998 July 20 21:00-21:50 (weekdays)

21:00-21:35 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekends
1999 May 17 21:00-21:50 (weekdays)

21:00-21:40 (weekends)

2001 February 5 21:00-21:55 (weekdays)

21:00-21:40 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekdays
2005 April 25 21:00-21:55 (weekdays)

21:00-21:35 (weekends)

runtime reduction on weekends
2008 May 26 21:00-21:55 (weekdays)

21:00-21:40 (weekends)

runtime extension on weekends
2010 November 1 21:00-21:55 (weekdays)

20:00-20:45

timeslot change on weekends
2012 November 5 20:00-20:55 (weekdays)

20:00-20:45 (weekends)

timeslot change on weekdays
2017 December 8 20:00-20:35 (weekdays)

20:00-20:30 (weekends)

MBC News reorganization period (MBC strike)
December 26 20:00-20:55 (weekends)

20:00-20:35 (weekends)

MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크) massive reorganization
2018 March 31 20:00-20:55 (weekdays)

20:00-20:45 (weekends)

runtime reduction on weekends
September 21 20:00-20:55 (Mondays-Thursdays)

20:00-20:50 (Fridays)

20:00-20:45 (weekends and holidays)

runtime reduction on Fridays
2019 March 18 19:30-20:55 (Mondays-Thursdays)

19:30-20:30 (Fridays and holidays)

20:00-20:45 (weekends)

massive reorganization
2020 March 25 19:35-20:55 (Mondays-Thursdays)

19:35-20:30 (Fridays and holidays)

20:00-20:45 (weekends)

runtime reduction on weekdays
May 31 19:35-20:55 (Mondays-Thursdays)

19:35-20:30 (Fridays and holidays)

20:00-20:45 (Saturdays)

20:00-20:25 (Sundays)

runtime reduction on Sundays
June 29 19:55-21:30 (Mondays-Thursdays)

19:55-20:50 (Fridays and holidays)

20:00-20:45 (Saturdays)

20:00-20:25 (Sundays)

reorganization
September 14 19:50-21:20 (Mondays-Thursdays)

19:50-21:45 (Fridays and holidays)

19:55-20:45 (Saturdays)

19:55-20:25 (Sundays)

timeslot change on weekdays

Segments

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Current segments

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Main segments

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  • News Pre-desk (뉴스프리데스크) is a YouTube-only segment established on June 29, 2020, following reorganization, where announcer Kim Min-ho and head of news strategy team Sung Ji-young brief viewers about different issues. Guests also drop by the show sometimes, including anchor Wang Jong-myung.
  • Going Right Away (바로 간다) is a segment centered on investigative reporting. It is a merge of old segments Camera Dispatch, On-site Dispatch and On-site Dispatch M.
  • MBC Tip-off (제보는 MBC) is a segment established on October 13, 2020, where viewers send in tips to the news department for developing stories. It was preceded by You Are the News.
  • In-depth Coverage M (집중취재M) is a segment established on October 15, 2020, centered exclusively on investigative reporting.
  • Site 36.5 (현장 36.5) is a segment where stories and/or interviews are aired with subtitles and background music.
  • In Today's News (오늘 이 뉴스) explains stories briefly.
  • Weighing Facts (팩트의 무게) is similar to JTBC Newsroom's Fact Check segment where reporter Nam Sang-ho fact-checks statements or give in-depth explanations on a certain topic.
  • Omniscient Political View (정치적 참견시점) is a segment where anchor Wang Jong-myung and reporter Kim Jae-young analyze how journalists produce their stories, similar to Newsroom's Behind Plus segment, but specializing in political stories.. The title is a parody of the network's variety show Omniscient Interfering View.
  • One-shot Politics (정치원샷) is a segment where the latest happenings on politics is summarized in one minute.
  • Roadman (로드맨) is a Saturday-only segment where reporter Yeom Kyu-hyun goes out in the field to cover stories. He is backed up by reporter-turned-producer Kwak Seung-kyu, cameraman Kim Tae-hyo, writer Lee Mi-rim and assistant director Ryu Da-ye, with fellow reporter Nam Hyung-suk serving as the Fact Man to help viewers understand the issues being explained.
  • My First Interview (내 생애 첫 인터뷰) is another weekend-only segment where anchor Kim Kyung-ho holds a camera with a selfie stick and interviews people working behind the scenes in the style of a vlog.
  • MBC Sports News (MBC 스포츠뉴스) is the show's sports segment hosted by Lee Young-eun, where she details the latest in the sports world.
  • MBC Weather (MBC 날씨) is the show's weather segment presented by Choi Ah-ri.
News Pre-desk segments
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  • Walking Through the Cue Sheet (큐시트 산책) previews how the show will go through the cue sheet provided by Noh Jae-pil, head of the Newsdesk editing team. This typically is aired last, but can be omitted when Pre-invitation is extended.
  • Pre-invitation (프리 초대석) is where the hosts talk about issues with an expert.
  • Old-fashioned Politics (아재정치) is a Tuesday-only segment where Hwang Oe-jin drops by to talk about political issues.
  • Economic Hand (손경제) is a Thursday-only corner where announcer Lee Sun-young talks about economic issues.
  • Choi Ah-ri's Painful Weather (최아리의 날씨앓이) is a Friday-only segment where weathercaster Choi Ah-ri explains issues related to the weather.

Former segments

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  • In Today's Newsdesk (오늘의 뉴스데스크) previews the top stories that will be covered in the show. It was abolished on March 18, 2019, following reorganization.
  • Today's Stocks (오늘의 증권) is a segment where then-reporter Kwon Jae-hong delves on the latest at the stock exchange.
  • Economic Trends (경제 동향) is a short segment where important economic factors are displayed, such as stocks and exchange rates. It was abolished on March 18, 2019.
  • Camera Dispatch (카메라 출동) is a segment focused on investigative reporting, and was one of the show's most popular segments.
  • Desk Video (데스크 영상) is a video montage appearing before presenting the weather. Songs from popular anime and games are used during this segment, such as an instrumental version of A Cruel Angel's Thesis,[1] Tsuna Awakens from the Reborn! score[2] and multiple themes from the MapleStory score.[3][4][5]
  • My Little Newsdesk (마이 리틀 뉴스데스크) borrows the format of variety show My Little Television where Lee Jae-eun (joined by reporter Lim Kyung-ah on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and Kim Kyung-ho on Tuesdays and Thursdays) presents different articles to viewers, who will react to it via livestream.
  • Kim Soo-jin's Human Story (김수진의 스토리 人) is a short-lived segment where anchor Kim Soo-jin interviews people. Only two episodes were broadcast, one with Seoul mayor Park Won-soon and actor Ha Jung-woo.
  • News Refresh (뉴스 새로고침) is a fact-checking segment hosted by Park Young-hoe, where he conducts interviews rather than putting separate reports. The title is derived from the Internet's refresh function.
  • Back to the News (BACK 투 더 뉴스)
  • You are the News (당신이 뉴스입니다) is a segment where viewers provide tips about stories around them. It is succeeded by MBC Tip-off.
  • Minority Opinion (소수의견)

Anchors

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Weekdays

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Main anchors
Name Duration Notes
Park Geun-sook
박근숙
early 1970s On the newscast's 40th anniversary special, host Kim Yong-man introduced him as the first Korean news anchor. He anchored the program's first broadcast on October 5, 1970.
Kim Ki-joo
김기주
1970
Kwak No-hwan
곽노환
Kim Chang-shik
김창식
Hyung Jin-han
형진한
Lee Eun-myung
이은명
Lee Young-ik
이영익
Kim Ki-do
김기도
Ha Soon-bong
하순봉
late 1970s—1980s
Jung Byung-soo
정병수
late 1970s—1981 He also hosted Laida 11, MBC's premier current affairs program at the time.
Lee Deuk-ryul
이득렬
1974—April 30, 1987 He and Uhm Ki-young are the longest-serving anchors of the show.
Kang Sung-goo
강성구
May 1, 1987—November 4, 1988 He is most remembered for the "bug in my ear" incident that happened during his tenure.
Choo Sung-choon
추성춘
As weekend main anchor:

June 3, 1989—August 26, 1989

As weekday main anchor:

November 7, 1988—September 15, 1989

He was a former correspondent based in Tokyo and Paris.
Lee In-yong
이인용
November 11, 1996—October 27, 2000 He is known for anchoring during the most depressing period in Korean history, the 1997 Asian financial crisis
Kwon Jae-hong
권재홍
As weekend main anchor: November 16, 1996—May 7, 2000

As weekday main anchor: October 30, 2000—December 31, 2001

April 5, 2010—November 15, 2013

Uhm Ki-young
엄기영
October 9, 1989—November 8, 1996

January 1, 2002—February 1, 2008

He and Lee Deuk-ryul are the longest-serving anchors of the show.
Kim Sung-soo
김성수
February 4, 2008—March 21, 2008
Shin Kyung-min
신경민
As weekend main anchor: April 17, 1993—September 10, 1994

As weekday main anchor: March 24, 2008—April 13, 2009

He served as a member of the 20th National Assembly under the Democratic Party of Korea. He is currently a political commentator.
Kwon Soon-pyo
권순표
April 27, 2009—April 2, 2010 He is currently the anchor for its newscast News Exhibit.
Park Yong-chan
박용찬
As weekend main anchor: June 29, 2013—November 17, 2013

As weekday main anchor: May 12, 2014—November 6, 2015

Lee Sang-hyun
이상현
November 9, 2015—December 7, 2017
Kim Soo-ji
김수지
As weekend sub-anchor: August 19, 2017—December 3, 2017

As weekday main anchor: December 8, 2017—December 22, 2017

She also served as anchor for News Today.
Park Sung-ho
박성호
December 26, 2017—July 13, 2018 He is currently a correspondent based in Washington.
Wang Jong-myung
왕종명
As weekend main anchor: May 7, 2009—October 31, 2010

As weekday main anchor: July 16, 2018—present

He has a thick voice and a serious tone when reporting or anchoring, but when fellow anchor Lee Jae-eun features him on vlogs in their YouTube channel Don't You Do News? (뉴스안하니), he is the total opposite.
Sub-anchors
Name Duration Notes
Baek Ji-yeon
백지연
May 9, 1988—September 4, 1992

April 12, 1993—September 16, 1994

October 2, 1995—August 9, 1996

Kim Eun-hye
김은혜
April 26, 1999—October 27, 2000 She was the first reporter to become sub-anchor, and is currently a member of the National Assembly, representing the city of Seongnam in Gyeonggi under the People Power Party.
Park Hye-jin
박혜진
As weekend sub-anchor: October 9, 2004—February 26, 2006

As weekday sub-anchor: March 6, 2006—April 24, 2009

She currently is a freelance announcer. Her most recent stint was during MBC's election coverage for the 2020 South Korean legislative election.
Kim So-young
김소영
As weekend sub-anchor: March 23, 2013—November 17, 2013

As weekday sub-anchor: November 18, 2013—May 9, 2014

Bae Hyun-jin
배현진
As weekend sub-anchor: June 12, 2010—April 3, 2011

As weekday sub-anchor: April 8, 2011—November 15, 2013

May 12, 2014—December 7, 2017

She is currently a member of the National Assembly, representing the Songpa district in Seoul under the People Power Party.
Son Jung-eun
손정은
As weekend sub-anchor: March 29, 2008—May 23, 2010

As weekday sub-anchor: December 26, 2017—July 13, 2018

Lee Jae-eun
이재은
July 16, 2018—present

Weekends

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Main anchors
Name Duration Notes
Cha In-tae
손석희
January 3, 1986—May 27, 1989
Sohn Suk-hee
손석희
February 15, 1987—April 16, 1989

October 26. 1991—May 17, 1992

He is currently co-CEO at JTBC and previously headed the network's news organization, as well as an anchoring stint at its flagship newscast JTBC Newsroom.
Goo Bon-hong
구본홍
September 2, 1989—October 29, 1989
Kim Dong-jin
김동진
November 4, 1989—November 18, 1989
Lee Sang-yeol
이상열
November 25, 1989—May 17, 1992
Jung Gil-yong
정길용
May 23. 1992—April 9, 1993
Jung Dong-young
정동영
September 11, 1994—January 7, 1996
Cho Jung-min
조정민
January 13. 1996—November 10, 1996
Park Kwang-on
박광온
May 13, 2000—January 13, 2002 He's currently a member of the National Assembly, representing the city of Suwon in Gyeonggi Province under the Democratic Party.
Kim Se-yong
김세용
January 19, 2002—April 27, 2003

March 29, 2008—April 26, 2009

He is currently the head of MBC's Wonju bureau.
Kim Sang-soo
김상수
May 3, 2003—October 5, 2003
Yeon Bo-heum
연보흠
March 19, 2005—March 11, 2007
Kim Joo-ha
김주하
As weekday sub-anchor: October 30, 2000—March 3, 2006

As weekend main anchor: March 17, 2007—March 23, 2008

She is the first woman to anchor the newscast by herself, setting a precedent for women to become main anchors of their respective newscasts (i.e. KBS News 9's Lee So-jung).
Choi Il-gu
최일구
October 11, 2003—March 13, 2005

November 6, 2010—February 19, 2012

He left the newscast and his press director position to participate in the 2012 MBC general strike. He is currently the weekend anchor for MBN Comprehensive News.
Kim Chang-wook
김창옥
February 25, 2012—March 18, 2012

April 14, 2012—May 6, 2012

This was during the 2012 MBC general strike.
Kim Sang-woon
김상운
March 24, 2012—April 8, 2012
Jung Yeon-kook
정연국
May 12, 2012—June 10, 2012
Choi Dae-hyun
최대현
June 16, 2012—October 7, 2012
Shin Dong-ho
신동호
October 13, 2012—June 23, 2013
Do In-tae
도인태
November 23, 2013—May 11, 2014
Lee Joon-hee
이준희
December 17, 2017—June 11, 2017
Cheon Hyun-woo
천현우
June 17, 2017—December 3, 2017
Uhm Joo-won
엄주원
December 9, 2017—December 25, 2017
Kim Soo-jin
김수진
December 30, 2017—July 21, 2019 She was the second woman to host the newscast by herself after Kim Joo-ha.
Kim Kyung-ho
김경호
July 27, 2019—present
Sub-anchors
Name Duration Notes
Kim Eun-joo
김은주
As weekday sub-anchor: May 9, 1988—September 4, 1992

April 12, 1993—September 16, 1994

October 2, 1995—August 9, 1996

As weekend sub-anchor: May 12, 1991—September 6, 1992

September 24, 1994—August 4, 1996

April 25, 1998—September 20, 1998

Choi Yul-mi
최율미
September 12, 1992—April 11, 1993

November 16, 1996—August 24, 1997

January 8, 2000—July 7, 2002

Jung Hye-jung
정혜정
As weekday sub-anchor: September 19, 1994—September 29, 1995

September 22, 1997—April 23, 1999

As weekend sub-anchor: April 17, 1993—September 18, 1994

July 13, 2002—October 5, 2003

Lee Joo-yeon
이주연
August 10, 1996—November 10, 1996
Kim Ji-eun
김지은
As weekday sub-anchor: September 7, 1992—April 9, 1993

November 11, 1996—September 19, 1997

As weekend sub-anchor: August 30, 1997—October 5, 1997

Park Na-rim
박나림
October 11, 1997—April 19, 1998
Park Young-sun
박영선
September 26, 1998—December 26, 1999 She is currently the Minister of SMEs and Startups under the Moon Jae-in administration.
Choi Yoon-young
최윤영
October 11, 2003—October 3, 2004
Seo Hyun-jin
서현진
March 4, 2006—March 11, 2007
Moon Ji-ae
문지애
April 9, 2011—January 22, 2012
Yang Seung-eun
양승은
May 12, 2012—March 17, 2013
Lee Jung-min
이정민
As weekday sub-anchor: April 27, 2009 – April 7, 2011

As weekend sub-anchor: May 17, 2014—December 11, 2016

She is currently the deputy general manager for MBC's announcer bureau.
Jung Da-hee
정다희
December 17, 2016—June 11, 2017
Park Yeon-kyung
박연경
June 17, 2017—August 13, 2017
Kang Da-som
강다솜
November 23, 2013—May 11, 2014

July 27, 2019—June 28, 2020

She is currently doing segments for 14F, one of MBC's YouTube channels.
Kim Cho-rong
김초롱
July 4, 2020—present

References

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  1. ^ "지하 상가를 예술공간으로" [An underground shopping center as an art space]. MBC News (in Korean). 2010-01-26. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28 – via Naver.
  2. ^ "옹기, 신기록에 도전하다" [Onggi, challenging new records]. MBC News (in Korean). 2009-04-23. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-08-28 – via Naver.
  3. ^ "햇살에 물든 하루" [A Day with the Sunshine]. MBC News (in Korean). 2010-11-04. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-06-11 – via Naver.
  4. ^ "바람과의 대화" [Conversation with the Wind]. MBC News (in Korean). 2010-11-26. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-06-11 – via Naver.
  5. ^ "눈온 뒤의 산책" [A Walk After Snow]. MBC News (in Korean). 2010-12-28. Archived from the original on 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-06-11 – via Naver.
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