26
All Good Things… The End of GFN’s City of Light By Arlo Matisz
April 2021
A significant portion of City of Light was news coverage. For two hours each weeknight, the show covered national, international, and local news. Stories of interest or relevance to the community were often discussed in greater depth with various guests. Sports, movies, art, and music were all topics of discussion. At any one time, the show had over a dozen different guests coming in each week to cover their areas of interest and expertise. Our thanks go out to all of them for helping build and maintain this show for so many years. Special thanks must go out to Daniel Choy, a longtime news anchor for Arirang TV, and also City of Light’s longest-serving guest. For a decade, Daniel was available every day for a call-in from Seoul in which he would discuss current news and events with the host. His unique blend of professional expertise and humor was something to look forward to each show. In addition to regular guests, there were occasions for special interviews with people visiting the city, including several ambassadors and even a former head of state. It is a testament to GFN’s reputation that the station is able to attract such prominent figures.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
COMMUNITY
A
ll good things must come to an end, but this is not an end to all good things. From April 1, 2009, until March 19, 2021, GFN’s City of Light was on the air in Gwangju and Yeosu. This program launched with the opening of GFN, the Gwangju Foreign Language Network. With a mandate to provide entertainment and education to the community, programs such as City of Light were designed to meet the needs of both the Korean and foreign local communities.
Many in Gwangju still remember that Michael Simning was the original host and one of the creators of City of Light. While much has been said about him in past issues of the Gwangju News, let me just say that enough can never be said of this man and the impact he had in the foreign community here, which still resonates out despite his passing seven years ago. From 2010 to 2014, there were several hosts of City of Light, as Michael was receiving cancer treatment and could not continue hosting through all of that period. I was given the honor of hosting the
2021�04��(April).indd 26
program in early 2014. Initially a guest covering science and technology issues, I was asked to take over host duties until Michael Simning was well enough to return to the role. He passed away a short time later. Despite serving as host for seven years, I have never stopped thinking of the show as Michael’s, a dear friend to so many in the community. On a personal note, I want to say it has been a great honor to host City of Light for the last seven years. Over this time, I have had the chance to work with so many great producers, writers, engineers, administrators, and guests. Many have become dear friends. I will never forget my
Young Michael Simning and Arlo Matisz (Gwangju, 2007).
3/25/2021 3:28:35 PM
