MBC Ranks 1st with 5.0% Rating for Men's Basketball Final Against Japan... Gold Medal After 12 Years

MBC [Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games] We waited 12 years! South Korean men's basketball defeats Japan to win the gold medal! Share these golden moments with MBC! Ko Kang Yong X Ha Seung-jin's MBC ranks 1st in viewership.

- MBC ranks 1st with a 5.0% national viewership rating for the men's basketball final - Choosing MBC for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games South Korean matches! On the first day of the games filled with victory news, MBC proves itself as a 'sports broadcasting powerhouse' by leading in viewership! - Following South Korea's advancement to the women's volleyball semifinals, medals were added in swimming and shooting, followed by victories in table tennis and handball! The viewers' choice was MBC! - South Korean men's basketball completely overwhelmed Japan in the final match with precision basketball! Reclaiming the Asian Games gold medal for the first time in 12 years!

MBC continued its streak of ranking 1st in viewership during the men's basketball final against Japan at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games held on Sunday the 20th.

According to data collected by the viewership research agency Nielsen, MBC recorded 1st place with a national viewership rating of 5.0% in the men's basketball final, where caster Ko Kang Yong and commentator Ha Seung-jin worked together. This figure represents the pure match viewership from 7:40 PM when the game began until 9:29 PM when the gold medal was confirmed.

On the first day of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, South Korea signaled the start of a heated medal race by delivering consecutive victories, including the men's basketball gold medal, women's volleyball advancing to the semifinals, and medals in swimming and shooting.

The most intense moment of the day was undoubtedly the men's basketball final. South Korea returned to the top for the first time in 12 years by winning a close match in the final against Japan. Although the game remained tense from the beginning, South Korea took full control during the 'promised 3rd quarter' with unwavering concentration and tight teamwork, securing the victory.

The chemistry between MBC caster Ko Kang Yong and commentator Ha Seung-jin provided viewers with both excitement and emotion. Before the match began, commentator Ha Seung-jin expressed his expectations, saying, "There is a thrill in fighting and winning in enemy territory. I am shaking so much that I'm sweating, but a good result will come." As Lee Hyun-jung, who stepped up as the playmaker on the court, continued his hustle play and performance, caster Ko Kang Yong offered praise, saying, "Beyond being South Korea's ace, he is now worthy of being called Asia's number one. From the steal to the finish, it's Lee Hyun-jung again."

In the decisive second half, as South Korea widened the score gap with their characteristic fast speed and perimeter shooting, caster Ko Kang Yong shouted, "The 'promised 3rd quarter' we have been waiting for has begun. South Korea, who waited 12 years, is leading beautifully in Japan's home turf." Commentator Ha Seung-jin also continuously cheered, saying, "The players' rhythm is coming alive as we move into the second half." At the moment South Korea confirmed the victory, caster Ko Kang Yong perfectly decorated the moment of the gold medal after 12 years with emotional commentary, saying, "In Nagoya, South Korea proved its own color with precision and growing basketball. Today, Nagoya is South Korea's night." Along with this, commentator Ha Seung-jin celebrated South Korea's victory with high praise, saying, "Coach Juris Umbraško is finally smiling. I am truly grateful and impressed by South Korea's 12 warriors. With their current strength, they could beat any team."

Prior to this, South Korea also delivered pleasant news of victory in the women's volleyball quarterfinals. South Korea secured a ticket to the semifinals against Kazakhstan, utilizing solid crisis management skills and one-step-faster attacks. In particular, they achieved a complete victory with a set score of 3-0 without conceding a single set to Kazakhstan, who held an advantage in height, raising expectations for future performances.

The performance of Yuk Seo-young shone brightly in this match. MBC caster Jeong Byeong-mun highly evaluated her performance, saying, "The protagonist today seems to be Yuk Seo-young. She is dominating the match in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd sets," and exclaimed, "It is truly like a drama," when a decisive service point was scored. Commentator Jang So-yeon also praised her, saying, "Player Yuk Seo-young's scoring ability is so good today. She is truly shining." Following the victory after a close fight, commentator Jang So-yeon provided an overall assessment for South Korea, saying, "The 1st and 2nd sets were close deuce battles, but this match stood out for its crisis management," and "It wasn't an easy match, but you could see that our players' determination to approach this tournament is extraordinary." Upon the end of the match, caster Jeong Byeong-mun gave enthusiastic applause, saying, "South Korea has moved beyond the quarterfinals to the semifinals."

Furthermore, news of South Korea's medal relay and victories continued in various sports. First, in the men's 100m freestyle swimming, Kim Young-beom won a silver medal and Hwang Sun-woo won a bronze medal, placing two Taegukgis on the podium. MBC commentator Park Chan-i expressed her emotion, saying, "Two South Korean athletes standing on the podium together shows how much the status of Korean swimming has risen. It is truly overwhelming to see two Taegukgis hanging on the podium," and caster Seong Seung-heon highly evaluated them, saying, "Athletes who prove their true value anew at every competition." In the subsequent men's 100m backstroke, Lee Ju-ho added a valuable bronze medal, recording the great feat of winning Asian Games medals for three consecutive times.

Ban Hyo-jin, who competed in the women's 10m air rifle shooting, also wore a bronze medal based on excellent crisis management skills. MBC caster Eom Ju-won and commentator Kim Jong-hyeon offered encouragement, saying, "It is a very precious medal earned by not losing their rhythm and showing concentration in every single shot."

In the first round of the men's table tennis team event, starting with the clean opening by the eldest brother Jang Woo-jin, followed by Lim Jong-hoon's fierce backhand and Oh Jun-sung's diverse attacks, South Korea achieved a complete victory against Yemen. Commentator Yoo Nam-kyu analyzed, "The players led the match in their own styles and created an attractive victory." In the second match of the women's handball full league, South Korea continued its winning streak by defeating Kazakhstan based on thorough tactical responses.

As such, MBC, which delivered major matches with a sense of presence and depth from the first day of the tournament, is firmly maintaining its position as the number one in Asian Games broadcast viewership, receiving enthusiastic responses from viewers for every match where South Korea performed well, including basketball, volleyball, and swimming.

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Organization: MBC

· Category: Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

· Distribution: September 21, 08:00

Source: MBC Press Release

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