'Radio Star' major leaguer-turned Kim Byung-hyun drew attention by saying he would have his son play baseball.
On the 19th episode of MBC variety show 'Radio Star', Kim Seok-hoon, Kim Byung-hun, Tyler, and Oldf Tarzan appeared. Kim Seok-hoon continued to set an example as an environmental activist and showed efforts to improve awareness about waste recycling.
Kim Byung-hyun said, "On KBS' 'The Boss Has Donkey Ears' I gained the nickname serial entrepreneur. When I go to restaurants, owners of similar businesses tell me to do better, to stop, and give me a backhand. In Korea I ran ramen, steak, and Thai restaurants. They all closed," describing his business history. But having resurrected himself with hot dogs and hamburgers, Kim Byung-hyun also showed candor, saying, "Kim Gu-ra told me to make a second life with hamburgers, but I closed the Cheongdam branch."
Kim Byung-hyun said, "While running a hamburger place I started a hot dog shop and got a spot in the ballpark. It sold well. Then I fell in love with the charm of sausages and entered an international sausage competition. I won seven awards there," and added, "I would be proud of my baseball career, but I'm proud of sausages. I won the 'Korea budae-jjigae sausage stew' award. I became close with the association's vice president and secretary-general. They asked me, 'Why is a major leaguer making sausages?'" showing he concentrated on one thing and achieved results.
However, many baseball fans once visited his restaurants or shared information about their closures regarding his post-retirement focus on the restaurant business. That was natural. As a major leaguer and the first Asian to win an MLB title, he amazed American commentators with an incredible pitching form; during his playing days his bold words and cool demeanor garnered many fans but also attracted criticism. The popularity directed at Kim Byung-hyun inevitably remained strong.
There were even rumors that Kim Byung-hyun's business failed and he had 30 billion won in debt. Kim Byung-hyun said, "There were articles saying I had 30 billion won in debt." He added, "On a broadcast, Ahn Jung-hwan said, 'Seo Jang-hoon has buildings worth 2 trillion won, and Kim Byung-hyun has 60 billion won in debt, right?' and that aired. So my mother worried about me," saying the publicity affected him to the point banks were concerned about lending.
Kim Byung-hyun said, "So I went to the bank to inquire about loans but ended up buying it in cash," and added, "I can still operate for five years," trying to ease concerns.
Kim Byung-hyun then expressed his expectations for his son. Usually athletes worry about their children following in their sport. It is known that Lee Jong-beom encouraged Lee Jung-hoo to try golf, and Kim Yuna, who changed the history of world figure skating and created a syndrome, has long said she would be unable to respond if her children pursued figure skating while she was active.
But Kim Byung-hyun said in a modest yet confident tone, "My son throws the ball fairly well." He said, "I want to raise him once. I don't expect him to become a second Lee Jong-beom or Lee Jung-hoo." He added, "I met Lee Jung-hoo at a wedding when he was 4 or 5 years old. I lifted him then. Lee Jong-beom asked, 'Isn't he okay?' and it was really good. So I told them to watch him closely," saying he recognized Lee Jung-hoo as a promising talent.
Kim Byung-hyun shyly smiled and said, "My son also has a decent build," offering a new hope for Korean baseball.
[Photo credit] MBC variety show 'Radio Star'
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