MBC Newsdesk

*MBC Newsdesk*
MBC Newsdesk
	Titlecard for part 1 as of June 29, 2020
Genre	Newscast
Presented by	Weekdays:; Wang Jong-myung; Lee Jae-eun; Weekends:; Kim Kyung-ho; Kim Cho-rong
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	n/a airs daily
Production
Production location	South Korea
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	95 minutes (Monday-Thursday); 60 minutes (Friday); 50 minutes (Saturday); 30 minutes (Sunday and Holiday);
Production company	MBC News
Original release
Network	MBC TV
Release	October 5, 1970 –; present

Last updated June 01, 2024

MBC Newsdesk is the main nightly newscast of the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). It premiered on October 5, 1970, and currently airs at 19:50 KST. It is presented by Wang Jong-myung and Lee Jae-eun on weekdays, and Kim Kyung-ho and Kim Cho-rong on weekends. It recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, making it the longest-running newscast in South Korean television.^{[ citation needed ]}

History

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	weekdays	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	weekdays, Sundays	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		21:00-21:25 (weekdays, Saturdays) 21:25-21:45 (Sundays)	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)		runtime extension on weekdays
	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
1981	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
1984	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)		runtime extension on weekdays
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
1989	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)	MBC Newsdesk (MBC 뉴스데스크)	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
1991	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
1993	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
1996	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)		runtime extension on 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)
2017	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
2018	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

Current segments

Main segments

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

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

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

Weekdays

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