Comedian Lee Sang-hae, in his 80s, has taken on a new challenge.
On the 16th episode of MBN "Exclusive World," the current life of the comedy world lend Lee Sang-hae was revealed.
That day Lee Sang-hae visited a Chinese restaurant run by Kim Hak-rae. He cautiously asked Kim Hak-rae, "How is it? Maybe because my head isn't good, isn't there a problem with the business? I'm afraid of prices changing," and Kim Hak-rae, having immediately sensed it, said firmly, "Do you want to run a shop? Don't do it. It's better to just stay still. What time is it now to run a restaurant?"
Lee Sang-hae said, "What time is it? You have to take advantage of times like this; at times like this you can get a place or lower the price," and Kim Hak-rae conveyed realistic difficulties, saying, "Since the pandemic, individual business owners who are running businesses now are not doing well." Lee Sang-hae asked, "If you really ran at a loss, would you do this? Still, at least you can eat, so isn't that why you do it?" and Kim Hak-rae responded negatively, "Suddenly a restaurant—what nonsense is that.."
Lee Sang-hae asked, "Why open a restaurant?" and Kim Hak-rae answered, "To make money." Lee Sang-hae pressed, "That's why I'm doing it too. Are others saying not to do it?" and Kim Hak-rae again tried to persuade him, saying, "I'm telling you this because I can't do it, and because you're my hyung." Nonetheless, Lee Sang-hae insisted, "If you try in ten places, one will work," and when asked, "What kind of business would you do?" he said, "That's why I'm going around to find out. I've tried this business and that business; some succeeded and some didn't, but service businesses suit me. Thinking about service businesses, only food came to mind."
Kim Hak-rae pleaded, "It's absolutely not easy. If you try once and it collapses, you lose at least several hundred million won. Think again, consult with your wife and be sure to discuss it again, if this isn't it then we can't do it, if you must do it, do it in that situation," and continued to persuade him, but Kim Hak-rae showed a resigned attitude, saying, "If senior Lee Sang-hae insisted and had planned at least that much, he would be someone to do it. That's also his strength. He agonizes a lot before making a decision, but once he decides, he pushes endlessly."
In the end, despite his juniors' objections, Lee Sang-hae visited a real estate office. He said, "At our age we can't not work. Am I too old to do this? Compared to this, with food you can deal with people closely. I think those places are the best spots for entertainers." Asked, "Isn't running a restaurant hard?" he replied, "Is there anything in this world that's not hard? Because it's hard you have to work harder than others. There's no age for running a business. When you run a business you're like a teenager. Because I can do it, I'm still happy," showing firm determination.
After that, Lee Sang-hae went to Kim Young-im and declared, "I'm thinking of trying a business." Kim Young-im bluntly said, "What business would you do? Why? That's not right," and Lee Sang-hae snapped back, "You have to listen before you say no unconditionally." Kim Young-im said, "People who do it are trying to stop now," and Lee Sang-hae expressed his dissatisfaction, "Have you ever once told me it's okay when I talked?" Kim Young-im said, "You should talk about what will work," and Lee Sang-hae raised his voice, "Then should I just play? Is it better to do nothing and play? Should I just scrub around the house and stay home?"
Kim Young-im reacted, "What are you doing now?" but Lee Sang-hae said, "If I start a restaurant now, it's from now on." Kim Young-im said, "At this age I have to think about how I'll age well from now on and put that in order," and Lee Sang-hae snapped, "Why say I'll age? You should think about how I can become younger. If I work actively I can get better." Kim Young-im tried to persuade him, "Then go out, exercise and play golf," but Lee Sang-hae didn't relent, "I've already exercised. I'm storing my strength to open a shop."
Kim Young-im also continued her negative reaction, saying, "Rather meet juniors and give them advice or do something like that. I might try it if it was reasonable, but I can't understand doing that," and Lee Sang-hae asked, "How should I do it to satisfy you? Does not doing it satisfy you?" Kim Young-im coldly replied, "Then don't do it. If you're going to do it, go out alone and manage it yourself."
In the past, besides his entertainment activities, Lee Sang-hae made large sums of money through various businesses, but he also lost a lot. Kim Young-im lamented, "My husband is somewhat feudal. He's old-fashioned and very stubborn. As a father he still feels he's the head of the household; some sense of responsibility remains. He always says, 'I'm sorry I couldn't do better.' It's so heartbreaking. He can't do better now. What more can you do? As a father he always feels inadequate toward the children and seems to feel that. I wish he wouldn't do that. His heart seems too tender," she said with regret.
Afterwards, Lee Sang-hae met Lee Yong-sik to ask for advice. He said, "Now that I'm getting older I should stay still, right? If I have a shop I can see many people," and Lee Yong-sik asked, "Can I ask you something important? Have you told your wife?" Lee Sang-hae confessed, "I brought it up once casually. The reaction was very bad. She said I was crazy," and Lee Yong-sik recalled, "I called her a few days ago. When I asked, 'Is something wrong, ma'am?' she sighed for 40 seconds. She said, 'I'll call you later' and hung up. He must get his wife's permission. Get that through first," he emphasized.
Lee Sang-hae asked, "I want to get it approved quietly first. Teach me how. You know my wife's personality," and Lee Yong-sik advised, "If you ask your wife's permission and she still objects, say just one line. If you say one line, I'll teach you how to make her say, 'Then try it once.' Say, 'As we get older, if we stay still we seem to get aches and become obsolete. So wouldn't it be okay to make me move a bit?'"
When asked why he wouldn't give up despite his wife's objections, Lee Sang-hae confessed, "I've acted as head of the family since I knew the world because I'm the eldest grandson. I felt I should do my duty as head of the household. When that becomes a habit you keep it without realizing it. If I show a good example, my children will follow."
Lee Sang-hae visited Kim Young-im again to discuss the business. Kim Young-im asked, "There are many kinds of businesses; I'd like to hear specific explanations," and Lee Sang-hae explained, "I'm taking the first step now. Still, you should be the first to get permission. Isn't a couple supposed to be of one mind? So I'm asking you how you feel about me trying this."
Kim Young-im said, "But business isn't something you do empty-handed; it requires money," and Lee Sang-hae asked again, "I'm confident. I can do it confidently. You'll let me do it when the time comes, right?" Kim Young-im left room for consideration, "Think about what you have and make a plan," and Lee Sang-hae rejoiced, "That's enough. Honestly, I got about 40% today. For the remaining 60% I'll diligently explain to you."
Kim Young-im expressed concern, "How upsetting would it be to be prevented from doing what you want? As I age I gradually understand those things, so what can we do? I'm very old. I just hope you don't become impatient." Lee Sang-hae showed determination, "I have to think about how I'll do it monthly. If I think I'll do this because I'm old, I'll lose spirit and can't do it. I want to succeed and show young people. If I work this hard I'll succeed."
[Photo] MBN
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