Will actor Kim Jung-hyun be able to break free from his still-prevalent 'Kim Stiff' image with his first fixed entertainment challenge?
The new KBS2 variety show 'Going and Coming Lee Min-jung' (hereinafter referred to as 'Ga-Ojeong'), which will air on the 16th, features the five members of the Jeong family (Lee Min-jung, Boom, Ahn Jae-hyun, Kim Jung-hyun, Kim Jae-won) visiting a rural village, spending a night, and sharing warmth. Kim Jung-hyun is participating in this program, marking his first fixed entertainment appearance since his debut, hinting at a reversal of charm.
His challenge in entertainment is drawing greater attention. Kim Jung-hyun was at the center of controversy after refusing to link arms with fellow actor Seo Hyun during the 2018 drama 'Time' press conference and displaying a rigid attitude. At the time, he exited the drama midway due to health issues, and later faced gaslighting allegations during his relationship with Seo Yea-ji, leading to the derogatory nickname 'Kim Stiff'.
The messages from the two, revealed three years later, included Seo Yea-ji's instructions such as 'No skinship,' 'Mr. Kim Stiff, refrain from physical contact,' and 'Let's change it so there's no romance,' which shocked the public as Kim Jung-hyun appeared to follow them uncritically. This controversy cast a long shadow over Kim Jung-hyun's acting career.
Later, Kim Jung-hyun bowed his head in a handwritten apology in 2021, saying, 'I sincerely apologize to actress Seo Hyun and everyone who suffered with me at that time,' and returned to terrestrial television with 'Season of the Twelve.' However, public sentiment remained cold. Recently, he stirred controversy again by publicly apologizing in front of Seo Hyun at the '2024 KBS Acting Awards,' with critics questioning whether he placed an additional burden on Seo Hyun by bringing up past events.
Thus, Kim Jung-hyun continues to cautiously navigate his comeback without shedding the 'Kim Stiff' image. However, this time, he has turned his attention to entertainment. The production team of 'Ga-Ojeong' noted, 'Kim Jung-hyun exuded a unique charm within just 10 minutes in his first fixed entertainment show. This seems to be a first for such a character,' and he has already gained the nickname 'So Jung-hyun' before the broadcast, hinting at comedic moments.
'Ga-Ojeong' is a reality entertainment program filled with warmth and affection. The greater the contrast with his previous image, the more pronounced the reversal charm may be. Indeed, the previewed scenes of Kim Jung-hyun show him seriously engrossed in work and then abruptly disappearing off-camera, alongside unpredictable, spontaneous actions that bewilder his teammates.
Unlike the 'Kim Stiff' image recognized by the public until now, 'Ga-Ojeong' is expected to convey Kim Jung-hyun's comfortable yet quirky charm. As curiosity builds around whether his new image will resonate with the public, KBS 2TV's 'Going and Coming Lee Min-jung' premieres on Friday, the 16th, at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] OSEN DB, KBS2 'Going and Coming Lee Min-jung'
[OSEN]