[Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games] MBC Kim Sung-joo's broadcasts sweep No. 1 ratings for major matches including football and table tennis

MBC [Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games] If Kim Sung-joo appears, is No. 1 ratings guaranteed?! The invincible formula of 'Sports Broadcasting = Kim Sung-joo' has worked once again! "I prepared so that viewers would feel 'I'm glad I watched Kim Sung-joo's broadcast." The preparation of a 30-year veteran to win the viewers' choice... A written interview containing the sincerity of MBC caster Kim Sung-joo is released!

- From football to table tennis, badminton, and archery! Viewers' choices continued across various disciplines - "Adding story and narrative to the competition" - The broadcasting philosophy of Kim Sung-joo, who has guarded the broadcasting booth for nearly 30 years - "The 117-rally sequence is the most memorable" - The best scene of the Asian Games personally selected by Kim Sung-joo

Caster Kim Sung-joo of MBC, who has been in charge of broadcasting major matches at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, is once again demonstrating the invincible formula that 'Sports Broadcasting = Kim Sung-joo' as he receives the unwavering choice of viewers.

Caster Kim Sung-joo is vividly delivering the intense moments of South Korea's competition in this tournament. He is active across various disciplines, including all South Korean men's football matches, the Asian Games opening ceremony, table tennis, badminton, the women's football match against Japan, and archery. In particular, for every major match where caster Kim Sung-joo holds the microphone, MBC has recorded No. 1 ratings among the three terrestrial broadcasters, proving his unrivaled status as a caster who receives the full trust of viewers during major sports events.

First, at the opening ceremony, where he worked with announcer Kim Cho-rong, he opened the gates of success by taking No. 1 in ratings (National 1.7%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054, 0.7%). In men's football, which is caster Kim Sung-joo's main discipline, he is recording a brilliant report card. He recorded No. 1 in all sectors for the qualifier against Qatar (National 3.0%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2.8% Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 1.2%) and the match against Saudi Arabia (Seoul Metropolitan Area 4.6%, National 4.5%, National 2054 1.9%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 1.8%), and is continuing the No. 1 ratings march through the quarterfinals against Vietnam (National 2054 2.1%) and the semifinals against China (National 2.1%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 1.8%, National 2054 0.9%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 0.8%). In particular, in the semifinals against China, he even recorded No. 1 in the number of national viewers (519,000 people), raising interest in the results of the final against Japan to be held today (3rd).

Additionally, the women's table tennis team semifinal match against Japan (National 3.6%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 3.4%, National 2054 1.4%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 1.3%) took No. 1 in the integrated ratings of all disciplines broadcast that day. Badminton also reached the top in ratings for major matches, such as the men's singles quarterfinals (National 2.1%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2.1%, National 2054 0.6%), women's doubles semifinals (Seoul Metropolitan Area 1.2%, National 1.1%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 0.7%, National 2054 0.5%), men's doubles semifinals (Seoul Metropolitan Area 1.5%, National 1.3%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 1.1%, National 2054 0.7%), women's singles semifinals (Seoul Metropolitan Area 1.9%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 1.1%, National 2054 0.8%), and women's doubles finals (Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 0.8%).

Furthermore, not only did he take No. 1 in ratings for the women's football semifinal against Japan (National 3.1%, National 2054 1.2%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 1.1%), but in archery, he swept No. 1 in all sectors, including the recurve men's team final (National 1.9%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 1.9%, National 2054 0.6%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 0.5%), the women's team final (Seoul Metropolitan Area 2.0%, National 1.8%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 0.7%, National 2054 0.6), and the mixed team bronze medal match (National 1.7%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 1.6%, National 2054 0.8%, Seoul Metropolitan Area 2054 0.7%), once again proving the absolute trust of viewers that 'Sports broadcasting is indeed Kim Sung-joo.' (Based on Nielsen data)

Regarding being chosen by viewers in the broadcasting of various disciplines, caster Kim Sung-joo gave an unexpectedly calm answer. Kim Sung-joo, who has held the microphone for nearly 30 years, cited 'familiarity' as the secret. He shared his humble thoughts, saying, "I think the voice I have built over 30 years since I started broadcasting in 1997 has reached viewers in a familiar way," and "I am making constant efforts not to be called an old, aged caster among excellent juniors."

Also, regarding the pressure that comes with the title of No. 1 in ratings, Kim Sung-joo stated, "I am simply grateful to those who watch my broadcasts," and "If there is pressure, it is only the pressure to provide the best broadcasting service to those who trust, watch, and choose my broadcasts." He continued, "While the same discipline is being broadcast on various channels, I try to do my best preparation so that people feel 'I'm glad I watched Kim Sung-joo's broadcast' and will make the same choice next time."

The broadcasting principle that caster Kim Sung-joo tries to keep regardless of the discipline is to convey to the viewers 'why they must watch this match.' He said, "I set the principle and prepare so that my broadcast must create a 'drama without a script,'" and "A broadcast that only stops at delivering the phenomenon is no different from just checking the final result." He explained, "I attach a story and narrative to the competition to clearly convey to viewers the reason why they must watch this match, and I try to set the direction of the broadcast so that viewers can immerse themselves in the match from that perspective."

In this tournament as well, caster Kim Sung-joo did not stop at conveying the flow of the match but naturally melted the stories of the athletes into the broadcast. Especially in the badminton broadcast, he introduced the human side of the athletes to viewers by conveying stories outside the arena, such as the conversation with An Se-young's father and the meeting with Kim Won-ho.

Widely examining related information ahead of a match is also his long-standing method of preparation. Kim Sung-joo said, "On my days off, I try to find all the sports broadcasts being aired in South Korea," and "Even if the disciplines are different, I think the nature of competition is mostly similar." He added, "I believe a person who watches many matches can broadcast better, and a person who tries to express the emotions felt in their heart at that moment in words is much more advantageous in actual broadcasting."

Behind such high-quality broadcasting lies thorough self-management and preparation routines. In sports big events where a grueling schedule involves moving between various stadiums, including this competition, managing one's condition is an indispensable and important part. Kim Sung-joo revealed that on the day before and the day of a broadcast, "I eat almost nothing and rarely make appointments." He added, "I try to reduce conversation and save my vocal cords so that I can maintain my broadcasting tone," offering a glimpse into his professional spirit as a veteran to deliver the best broadcasting tone to viewers.

He picked the women's badminton doubles final as the most memorable scene at this Asian Games site. Commentator Kim Sung-joo stated, "In this Asian Games, the women's badminton doubles final match featuring Lee So-hee and Baek Ha-na seems to be the most moving and memorable." In particular, he recalled, "It was a match where even the story with the China team during preparation made me excited. It was a truly fierce and legendary match where a single point led to 117 rallies, and by the end of the full set, it was difficult to play because the athletes actually suffered from leg cramps." The "story" with China that commentator Kim Sung-joo prepared before the match coincided with the dramatic victory unfolded in the actual game, remaining a representative highlight of this competition.

During this competition, commentator Kim Sung-joo showed different chemistry for each sport, broadcasting men's football with commentators Ahn Jung-hwan and Seo Hyung-wook, table tennis with commentator Yoo Nam-kyu, badminton with commentator Chae Yoo-jung, and archery with commentator Jang Hye-jin. Especially in badminton, contrary to the original plan, he continued broadcasting on-site, such as taking charge of the men's singles quarterfinals through the semifinals to cheer for An Se-young. Through chemistry with commentators who possess expertise in each sport, he delivered a wide range of content from technical aspects of the matches to the stories of the athletes, but when asked to pick just one "best chemistry," he gave credit to his colleagues, saying, "It is very difficult to pick one because they are all precious people to me."

He also shared various behind-the-scenes stories experienced on-site. He revealed the hidden efforts of the on-site broadcasting team and production staff, ranging from the situation where media relations had to stay at the stadium for a while due to traffic control following the attendance of the Emperor at the opening ceremony, to a field happening where the football and archery commentary booths were placed closely together, causing the voices of the broadcasting crews from the three major stations to mix and giving the audio staff a hard time.

Now, with only the long-awaited final match, the South Korea men's football final, remaining, commentator Kim Sung-joo did not forget to express his gratitude to the viewers. Kim Sung-joo said, "I bow my head in gratitude to the viewers who took an interest in and watched this Asian Games broadcast," and added, "I sincerely hope that the sweat and effort of our athletes provided great comfort and emotion to the viewers." He continued, "I hope my lacking broadcasting served as even a small source of vitality for you," adding, "Once again, thank you to the viewers who watched the MBC Asian Games broadcast."

Meanwhile, MBC commentator Kim Sung-joo will broadcast the South Korea men's football final, the last match that will grandly decorate the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, live from Nagoya starting from 7:20 PM this evening (3rd) along with commentators Ahn Jung-hwan and Seo Hyung-wook.

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Organization : MBC

· Category : Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

· Distribution : October 3, 12:30

Source : MBC Press Release

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