Comedian Lee Jin-hwan candidly revealed the reason he left the broadcasting world after his prime.
On the 16th, MBN 'Exclusive World' aired an update on Lee Jin-hwan, who was once greatly loved for his 'absurd gag'.
Lee Jin-hwan, who debuted in 2000 as part of MBC's 11th open recruitment class of comedians, became a star almost overnight after gaining great popularity with his absurd gag just six months after his debut. Lee Jin-hwan recalled his prime, saying, "At the time I was doing late-night shows and shooting commercials, and I had an enormous amount of money. It was not money a 20- to 21-year-old could handle."
But his prime did not last long. He said, "I went to the military a little late. When I returned after discharge, absurd gag had already become a nostalgic comedy," explaining the reason his broadcasting activities were cut off.
Afterward, to make a living, Lee Jin-hwan entered the food service industry and started a new life running a raw fish restaurant. He is currently living a second life as an omakase chef.
The restaurant achieved great success through word of mouth, but an unexpected remark left a deep wound in his heart. Lee Jin-hwan confessed, "Because it was an open kitchen, I could hear everything the customers said," and "I heard people say, 'If a comedian breaks down, is this how they do business in the neighborhood?'" He added, "It may have been something said during a drinking occasion, but hearing that snapped me back to reality," and said, "From then on I only thought about making money. I endured it with the determination to earn enough to live without asking others for help."
Now walking a new path as an omakase chef, he has shared the daily life of a veteran chef, including visiting the Noryangjin seafood market from the early morning, and is continuing his second life.
[Photo] 'Exclusive World'
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