“Not a Coincidence”: Fans React to MCountdown’s Broadcast Hiatus Until 2025 Amidst Major Artist Comebacks

On Thursday, October 24, Mnet’s popular music program, MCountdown, revealed that it will pause its broadcasts until 2025, as stated during the most recent episode. Unfortunately, Mnet did not provide any reasons for this hiatus. The announcement sparked significant backlash among fans on social media.

A number of fans expressed their frustration regarding the late notice, particularly because many artists, including BABYMONSTER, G-Dragon, BTS’ JIN, and BLACKPINK’s Rosé, are preparing for comebacks or continuing their promotional activities for recently released albums.

Additionally, fans speculated that the timing of the announcement might be more than coincidental. Here are some notable reactions following MCountdown’s announcement of its programming break:

“This isn’t merely a coincidence! I believe Show Champion is also halting its broadcasts (please correct me if I’m wrong). I’ve seen how the industry tends to sideline YG artists. With GD’s comeback, and Rosé and Jennie’s promotions, it seems all too familiar,”one fan remarked on X.

“GD COMEBACK, ROSÉ’S FULL ALBUM, BABYMONSTER’S RETURN, WHAT IS MNET DOING?”a fan vented on X

“Changing rules at the last minute while ignoring end-of-year comebacks. The audacity is astounding,”another user added.

“Mnet seems to be saying: ‘We won’t give the Mcd trophy to groups making comebacks in November and December,’”commented a netizen.

Numerous fans and netizens voiced their concerns over the timing of this break announcement, particularly in light of popular artists’ imminent comebacks.

“What about the groups planning to make comebacks at year’s end? I don’t recall them doing this last year. What’s happening?”one fan noted.

“This decision coincides with the comebacks of many popular groups on November 1st… it’s just foolish,”another fan stated.

“Why go off air when so many idols are having comebacks in November? They could have opted for a break during the award show season,”added a social media user.

“Many groups are gearing up for comebacks/debuts from late October through December, which is truly shocking,”declared another X user.

Essential Information About MCountdown, Mnet’s Music Show

MCountdown, a prominent South Korean music show, has been airing since 2004 on Mnet. This weekly program presents a new episode every Thursday at 6 PM KST from the CJ E&M Center Studio located in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul. Each episode ranks the top 10 artists based on album sales and fan votes collected through Mnet’s application.

The artist earning the highest ranking is awarded a trophy, but MCountdown offers more than just accolades. K-pop artists currently promoting their music also perform at MCountdown stages. The show’s original hosts in 2005 included Super Junior’s Leeteuk, Shindong, and Kangin.

As of 2024, the MCountdown hosting duties have been taken up by ZEROBASEONE’s Sung Hanbin, RIIZE’s Sohee, and BOYNEXTDOOR’s Myung Jaehyun. The show consists of four segments: MCD Dance Challenge, MCD Vocal Challenge, Storage M, and M Studio, involving artists in various dance and vocal competitions alongside entertaining games.

Given MCountdown’s reputation as a leading music broadcast that often aids K-pop artists’ comebacks, many admirers are dismayed by its hiatus, as it could impact the releases planned for the upcoming months of 2024.

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