JTBC Rehabilitation Filing Draws Support From First-Cohort Announcer Jang Sung-kyu: "I’ll Visit the Company to Cheer Them On"

Broadcaster Jang Sung-kyu expressed his deep affection for JTBC, the former workplace he described as the company that embraced and raised him, after the broadcaster filed for rehabilitation proceedings.

On June 16, Jang shared on his social media account a message exchange with a JTBC reporter from his same intake group. The reporter thanked him for his concern, writing, "Thank you for worrying about the company. Please pray a lot for the company to stay strong. Just as you rose on the strength of your ability alone in a harsh environment, we have resilience too. So please wait just a little. Our juniors can each do the work of a hundred."

Jang replied, "I will pray. Please raise it back up proudly." When the reporter then asked, "I know you are busy, but please come visit soon to encourage our colleagues and tell them to stay strong," Jang accepted the request. He wrote that the weighty message from his fellow reporter had moved him, adding that he should go to the company to support his colleagues.

The exchange followed Jang’s earlier public message of support. The previous day, he shared an article about JTBC’s application for rehabilitation proceedings and wrote, "What is happening? It is heartbreaking that the company that embraced me and raised me has applied for rehabilitation proceedings. I sincerely hope it overcomes this difficulty and recovers."

Jang Sung-kyu began his career as an announcer selected through JTBC’s open recruitment and has continued to show affection for his former network even after declaring himself a freelancer.

JTBC declared default on June 12 after failing to repay 20.6 billion won in securitized borrowings. After JoongAng Holdings, Contentree JoongAng, Megabox JoongAng and JoongAng P&I, JTBC also filed for rehabilitation proceedings with the Seoul Rehabilitation Court.