In a dramatic turn of events reflecting the ongoing political unrest in South Korea, several popular television shows are undergoing significant schedule alterations that could leave fans reeling.

MBC's Changes

MBC has announced it will temporarily pull the plug on several beloved variety programs, including "Music Core," "Home Alone" (also known as "I Live Alone"), "How Do You Play?," and "The Manager." These omissions are designed to free up airtime for extended coverage of "News Desk" and urgent special news reports that follow the recent political upheaval.

JTBC's Cancellations

JTBC is also making waves with the cancellation of its fan-favorite variety show, "Knowing Bros" ("Ask Us Anything"), citing the same urgent need for special news programming. This adds to the growing list of adjustments as the nation braces for continued turbulence.

Impact on Dramas

Drama lovers aren't being spared either. MBC’s drama "When the Phone Rings," originally scheduled to air its 5th and 6th episodes on December 6 and 7, will now be delayed, with Episode 5 pushed to next week on December 13. Meanwhile, SBS has confirmed that the airing of Episode 10 of "The Fiery Priest 2," which was slated for December 7, is postponed, although Episode 9 will still air as planned. In a ripple effect, SBS's "Inkigayo," a weekly music show, will also not broadcast on December 8.

Additional Schedule Changes

Moreover, JTBC has rescheduled the third episode of "The Tale of Lady Ok," which will now be shown on December 8 at 10:30 p.m. KST instead of December 7. Not to be left out, Channel A's weekend drama "Marry YOU" will postpone its December 7 episode and opt to air Episodes 7 and 8 back-to-back on December 8 at 7:50 p.m. KST.

Political Background

These alterations come in the wake of a whirlwind of political developments, particularly following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on December 3. However, just two hours later, a swift National Assembly resolution demanded its revocation, resulting in President Yoon's hasty announcement to cancel it at 4:30 a.m. KST. The drama did not stop there; opposition parties are intensifying calls to impeach the president, with a crucial vote set for December 7.

Stay tuned to witness the unfolding story as it impacts the cultural landscape of South Korea. What does this mean for the future of entertainment in a country rife with political tension? Ensure you don’t miss out on the latest updates!