On the evening of February 18, 2026, viewers across South Korea tuned in to MBC for the much-anticipated live return of 손석희의 질문들 (Questions by Sohn Suk-hee), now entering its fourth season. The timing could hardly have been more charged: just a day before the high-profile first verdict in the treason trial of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, the show assembled a panel of heavyweight guests to dissect the nation’s legal and political turbulence. Writer Yoo Si-min, lawyer Keum Tae-seop, and media scholar Jung Joon-hee joined host Sohn Suk-hee for an episode that promised—and delivered—substantive debate on the theme of returning to principles as South Korea faces a period of profound uncertainty.
The episode’s central topic, as reported by bnt News and 국제뉴스, was the treason trial and the broader political climate. The broadcast was deliberately scheduled for February 18, just hours before the Ji Gui-yeon bench was set to announce its verdict in Yoon Seok-yeol’s treason case. This case, which had already captured the public’s attention for months, was not the only legal drama fueling controversy. Recent acquittals of Kim Geon-hee and Myung Tae-gyun—both previously entangled in major allegations—had only deepened the sense of judicial crisis. As bnt News noted, “Recent acquittals of Kim Geon-hee and Myung Tae-gyun have increased judicial controversies.”
Political parties, meanwhile, were mired in their own internal struggles. The Democratic Party (더불어민주당) was gripped by infighting over whether to merge with the reformist Cho Kuk Innovation Party (조국혁신당), dividing supporters and threatening party unity. The conservative People Power Party (국민의힘) faced turmoil after the expulsion of former leader Han Dong-hoon, a move that sent shockwaves through its ranks and prompted soul-searching about the party’s future direction. As 국제뉴스 put it, “Political parties are in turmoil: 더불어민주당 divided over 합당 with 조국혁신당, 국민의힘 dealing with 한동훈's expulsion.”
In this context, the choice of guests for the season’s premiere was no accident. Yoo Si-min, a prominent writer and political commentator; Keum Tae-seop, a lawyer and former lawmaker known for his independent streak; and Jung Joon-hee, a respected media scholar, brought a diversity of perspectives and a willingness to challenge orthodoxies. Their conversation was anchored by the season’s guiding theme: “원칙으로 돌아가자,” or “Let’s return to principles.” This theme, according to the show’s producers, was chosen to reflect the need for foundational values as society seeks to recover a sense of normalcy amid chaos. “The production team said, ‘We decided to address the issue of principles, which is the most basic yet most difficult, as our society gradually returns to normal. However, host Sohn Suk-hee will not push the theme too forcefully, but will instead let it emerge naturally in conversation,’” reported bnt News.
It’s not the first time 손석희의 질문들 has tackled weighty national issues through the lens of a central theme. Previous seasons have sought to comfort viewers during periods of upheaval: following the imposition of martial law and the impeachment crisis, the show adopted “삶은 계속된다” (“Life Goes On”) as its motif. After the presidential election, the theme was “맺음, 그리고 시작” (“Ending, and Beginning”), emphasizing continuity and renewal. Season four’s call to return to principles, however, comes at a time when both legal and political systems are under unprecedented scrutiny.
The show’s format, which has always prized thoughtful and probing interviews, continued its tradition of featuring guests who are not easily accessible through typical media channels. As 국제뉴스 observed, “손석희의 질문들 has featured rare guests from various fields before.” The new season is no exception. In addition to its opening panel, the show will welcome a diverse slate of notable personalities in the coming weeks. Among them: Choi Kang-rok, the winner of 흑백요리사 (Black-and-White Chef) season two, who will give his first broadcast interview since his victory; Chef Hu Deok-juk and Buddhist monk Sunjae, both of whom have made waves in their respective fields; professional gamer Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok), whose interviews are famously rare and who will discuss the age of artificial intelligence alongside Go prodigy Lee Sedol; and musicians Yoon Jong-shin and Sung Si-kyung, whose joint appearance is a treat for fans of Korean popular music. The season will also feature acclaimed author Kim Ae-ran, representing the next generation of Korean literature.
Yet, for all the star power and variety, it was the first episode’s focus on the treason trial and the political turbulence that set the tone for the season. The Ji Gui-yeon bench’s verdict in Yoon Seok-yeol’s case, scheduled for February 19, loomed large over the discussion. The trial had already generated “countless talking points,” as 국제뉴스 put it, and its outcome was widely seen as a bellwether for the state of the rule of law in South Korea. The recent acquittals of Kim Geon-hee and Myung Tae-gyun, meanwhile, had only added fuel to the fire, prompting public debate about the impartiality and effectiveness of the judiciary.
Political divisions, too, were front and center. The Democratic Party’s internal debate over merging with the Cho Kuk Innovation Party had exposed deep fissures, with supporters split on the best path forward. The People Power Party, for its part, was grappling with the fallout from Han Dong-hoon’s expulsion, a move that left some questioning the party’s commitment to its stated values and others arguing it was a necessary step to restore discipline. As bnt News summarized, “The Democratic Party is experiencing internal strife over the merger issue with the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, while the People Power Party is suffering from the expulsion of former leader Han Dong-hoon.”
The show’s producers emphasized that, despite the gravity of the subject matter, they aimed to foster a conversation that was both accessible and rooted in the everyday concerns of viewers. “The host, Sohn Suk-hee, will incorporate the theme naturally in the discussion,” bnt News reported, suggesting a deliberate move away from heavy-handed editorializing in favor of organic dialogue. The hope, it seems, is that by returning to basic principles and allowing for a range of viewpoints, the show can help viewers make sense of a rapidly changing political landscape.
As South Korea stands at a crossroads—its legal and political institutions under the microscope, its parties in flux, and its public hungry for clarity—손석희의 질문들 season four arrives as both a mirror and a guide. With its commitment to thoughtful inquiry and principled debate, the show looks set to play a vital role in the national conversation in the weeks and months ahead.