On the night of June 2, MBC's countdown video, which opened the coverage of the 21st presidential election, moved viewers' hearts beyond a simple election broadcast, delivering an emotional historical narrative. In particular, the surprise appearance of figures representing K-content, BTS and director Bong Joon-ho, delivered a message that bridges eras and generated a strong response.
MBC presented a countdown video titled "That Day, Together Now" just 1 minute and 30 seconds before the announcement of the exit poll results at 8 p.m. This video began with footage of athlete Son Ki-chung at the marathon during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and vividly restored definitive moments in Korean contemporary history, such as the Battle of Cheongsanri (1920) and the righteous struggles of the Korean Patriots in Shanghai (1931) using artificial intelligence technology.
In particular, in the middle of the video, a speech given by Kim Gu at the 1946 Liberation Day ceremony resonated. After the words, "Our entire nation is entering a period where we step onto the world stage," the voice of BTS leader RM flowed naturally. The clip of RM's speech at the United Nations in 2018 followed. At that time, RM exclaimed, "Now, let’s all take one step further," and the seamless crossover of this video connected the dreams of past independence activists with the reality of today's global K-artists.
Following that, another global figure, director Bong Joon-ho, appeared in footage. He made history by becoming the first Korean filmmaker to win four Oscars for "Parasite" at the 2020 Academy Awards, winning best picture, best director, best screenplay, and best international feature film. His award scene symbolically demonstrated that Korean popular culture has reached the center of the world, making it an even more meaningful moment.
On the day of the presidential election, the three major broadcasters (KBS, MBC, SBS) each met with viewers in their own distinct styles during the coverage. MBC aimed for differentiation with a historical narrative that combined "the flow and emotion of the times." In particular, it stood out for incorporating a message that encompasses Korea's past, present, and future into the countdown, going beyond simple information delivery. Reactions of emotion flooded social media and online communities, with comments such as, "I was moved by the scene where BTS seemed to carry on Kim Gu's sentiment," and, "It was amazing how history and culture could flow so naturally together." Internet users referred to this moment as "a heartfelt message where the past reflects the present and the present opens up the future."
This broadcast was a moment that made one reflect on what steps Korea is taking in the world, beyond merely reporting the vote counting situation. It has been praised for starting with the most Korean sentiment and global content.
[Photo] Broadcast capture
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