Lee Hyori's JTBC Show Love War Ends at 20 Episodes, Cast Return Unclear

JTBC's relationship reality show Love War (연애전쟁) will end its season with its 20th episode, according to a report by Ilgan Sports on the 25th. The program has aired 17 episodes so far, which leaves three still to come, with the finale expected in November.

The producers plan to bring the show back as a new season, but no air date has been set and casting has not been decided. That leaves the return of the current MC lineup, Lee Hyori, Seo Jang-hoon and Kim Hee-chul, uncertain.

Love War premiered in June. The format has the hosts listen to stories from couples in conflict and suggest ways to improve things. With that lineup of MCs, the show drew strong buzz throughout its run.

A thin slate behind it

The broader context is JTBC's current situation. The network is going through a corporate rehabilitation process, and Love War was the only entertainment program among its new 2026 launches that had stayed on air. Its departure leaves the network with few newer titles to point to.

Once the show ends, JTBC's variety lineup is expected to rest mainly on established regulars: Knowing Bros, Talk Pawa 25 Hours (톡파원 25시), Divorce Camp (이혼숙려캠프), Han Moon-chul's Black Box Review (한문철의 블랙박스 리뷰) and History Swindlers (강연배틀쇼 사기꾼들). Whether a returning Love War would keep its current hosts is the open question for the next season.