Minju of ILLIT and actor Moon Sang Min are stepping down as MCs of KBS’s weekly music program Music Bank.
Minju has been the show’s host since October 2024, and Moon Sang Min joined at the same time. KBS confirmed that discussions about the ILLIT member leaving are happening this month, while Moon’s departure date has not been finalized. Together, they have guided viewers through the K-Chart for about a year and three months.
Minju entered the K-pop market as a member of ILLIT nearly two years ago, in March 2024. Since then, the group has gained attention with hits like Magnetic, Tic Tac, Cherish, and Jellyous. Last November, her group showed a new side of herself with the release of Not Cute Anymore, which is dominating the domestic music charts. Stepping down from Music Bank will allow her to focus fully on group activities.
Moon Sang Min, meanwhile, will concentrate on his acting career. He currently stars in KBS2’s weekend drama To My Beloved Thief, which is receiving positive reviews. The 25-year-old actor has also hosted the KBS Drama Awards in both 2024 and 2025.
Minju and Moon Sang Min followed a notable line of MCs at Music Bank. Before them, Lee Chae Min (September 2022 – May 2024) and Hong Eunchae (February 2023 – September 2024) of LE SSERAFIM served as hosts. Previously, the program featured the famous duo ENHYPEN’s Sunghoon and IVE’s Jang Wonyoung.
Over the years, the show has also launched or supported the careers of many stars, including Song Joong Ki, Park Seo Joon, Park Bo Gum, and Red Velvet’s Irene. The MC role has long been a platform that connects K-pop idols and actors to fans.
Music Bank, which first aired in 1998, remains one of South Korea’s most influential music programs. It combines digital sales, broadcasts, fan votes, album sales, and social media scores to determine the weekly number-one song on the K-Chart. The program also hosts global events, such as the Music Bank Global Festival, which took place in Tokyo in December 2025 with IVE’s Jang Wonyoung and actor-singer Lee Jun Young as hosts.
Meanwhile, KBS has not announced who will take over as the new permanent MCs.
