Comedian Lee Jin-hwan revealed the story of how he left the broadcasting industry and built a second life as an omakase chef.
On the 16th, the MBN (MBN) program 'Exclusive World' aired an update on Lee Jin-hwan, who was once loved for his "futile comedy."
According to the broadcast, after his comedy activities Lee Jin-hwan went into running a raw fish restaurant to make a living. The restaurant succeeded through word of mouth, but a comment from one customer became a turning point in his life.
He recalled, "Because it was an open kitchen, I could hear the customers' conversations," and said, "Hearing 'If a comedian ruins himself, is this how he ends up doing a small neighborhood business?' really woke me up." He added, "From then on, my only thought was to make money. I endured with the determination to earn enough to live without asking others for help."
After that, he reduced his sleeping time to teach himself cooking and tried starting an omakase restaurant. After steady effort, he now runs a premium omakase restaurant in Gangnam and has established himself as a chef earning 20 million won in monthly sales.
In particular, many of the ingredients used in the restaurant came from organic produce his parents grew themselves. It was reported that his parents currently farm on a 4,000-pyeong plot of land. Lee Jin-hwan said, "My ultimate goal is to make food that others cannot easily make," and revealed that he is preparing to obtain the highest qualification related to pufferfish, the pufferfish master craftsman.
On the show he also expressed his heartfelt feelings toward his parents. Lee Jin-hwan confessed, "When I was young, I was ashamed of my mother who sold coffee at the market and used to avoid her," adding, "My mother did business without saying a word even when customers drank many cups of coffee to feed us." He said, "I feel so sorry for having been ashamed of her. Now I know that I make a living thanks to my mother," which moved viewers.
He also revealed his daily life with his wife, whom he first met as a customer five years ago. The segment showed the affectionate husband preparing meals early in the morning and inviting his parents to his omakase restaurant to serve them food with care, adding warmth to the story.
[Photo] 'Exclusive World'
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