The late-night talk show 'The Late Show', which featured popular K-pop idol groups like BTS and SEVENTEEN, is abruptly being canceled.
Recently, the American broadcaster CBS announced that it will terminate its flagship program 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' in May 2026 due to financial reasons.
'The Late Show' is a flagship talk show on CBS that has dominated the ratings among late-night talk shows in the U.S. Various K-pop artists, including BTS, SEVENTEEN, and TOMORROW X TOGETHER, appeared on 'The Late Show' to introduce their comebacks and new songs, fostering a connection with local fans.
However, 'The Late Show' faced a crisis as President Trump regained election. Since 1993, David Letterman hosted for 22 years before retiring in 2015, and Colbert has maintained the position for 10 years. This is a consequence of Colbert's unrestrained criticism of the Trump administration.
Moreover, Paramount, the parent company of CBS, has initiated a merger with another Hollywood studio, Skydance Media, creating a situation where they have to look to President Trump, the top decision-maker at the Federal Communications Commission. Ultimately, it appears that CBS decided to cancel 'The Late Show' to curb Colbert's criticism of President Trump due to the circumstances of its parent company.
In fact, President Trump recently commented on social media on the 18th (local time), saying, "I am really glad that Colbert got fired. He is a talent that doesn't meet the ratings."
In response, Colbert once again targeted President Trump on 'The Late Show'. In the first episode aired after the cancellation announcement on the 21st, he referenced Trump's social media post welcoming his firing. He also strongly retorted, "How dare you say that. Can a talentless person make such a satire? Eat it."
He stated, "The fact that 'The Late Show' is being canceled hit me over the weekend. But they made one mistake: they left me alive. For the next 10 months, I will finally be able to convey the truth about those in power. I do not like him (Trump). He is not qualified to be president. (The presidency) is not a position suited for him," drawing cheers from the audience.
[Photo] Source: social media.
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