Comedian Kim Sook talked about the various twists and turns she experienced before being noticed again as 'God Sook' after going through a period of wandering.
On the 4th, Kim Sook, who celebrated her 30th anniversary, appeared as a guest on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block'.
In response to the congratulatory message for her 30th anniversary, Kim Sook said, "Please take away the 30th anniversary. I don't have many achievements. It just turned out to be 30 years while having fun. Looking back at the 30th anniversary, it feels like it was easier than I thought. The wandering lasted 20 years. I am too shy, so I don't even have birthday parties. I will hide away even for my wedding."
Kim Sook, who debuted at 21 in 1995 by winning a silver prize at the University Comedy Contest, had the nickname 'Dorae' in the comedians' room.
Yoo Jae-suk, a public recruitment 12th generation, and Kim Sook, a 7th generation, have maintained a close bond for 28 years.
Kim Sook, who has gone through a long period of wandering while engaging in broadcasting activities, explained, "I started a clothing store in front of Ewha Womans University. At that time, I realized that I hated people and was having a hard time. I couldn't bear to face customers, so I watched my store from a store across the street."
After two months, he closed the clothing store and did various jobs, including painting on plates. He said he also invested in stocks, stating, "I was on my way to buy a small car after withdrawing 6 million won in savings when I ran into a senior writer I knew. That person told me to invest just a little and go for a Grandeur, so I put all 6 million won into stocks. Later, it became 200,000 won. Ultimately, I bought a bicycle."
Afterward, Kim Sook fell into gaming. He said, "I was very happy. My gaming assets were 2 trillion. I played various games," adding, "I had about four computers at home and set it up like an Internet cafe. At that time, I stayed up all night and fell asleep around 10 a.m. I would wake up in the evening, eat breakfast, and take a walk around the neighborhood to buy cigarettes. I was around 25 or 26 years old then. It was a dark period."
He continued, "I was shocked to see myself in the mirror. My entire face was shadowed. At such a young age, my face was rotting. I wondered if this was me. At that time, I quit everything—alcohol, cigarettes. Since then, I lived diligently," adding, "Now that I think about it, I might have been sulking. Because they didn’t call me. I always lived within a 10-minute arrival from the broadcasting station. I always moved around Yeouido."
Kim Sook, who returned to the entertainment industry, hit her first peak with 'Gag Concert' as the 'slap girl' and later gained immense popularity with characters like Nandah Kim.
After that, Kim Sook began traveling, saying, "I traveled without any regrets. I lied a little to my father, saying I was going to graduate school after taking a little from the deposit." She expressed gratitude, mentioning, "Song Eun-yi and Yoo Jae-suk, the two of them contacted me quarterly, as if they were in cahoots, asking 'Do you want to try this together?' and I think they supported me for 30 years."
However, Kim Sook experienced another peak after she started the podcast 'Secret Guarantee' with Song Eun-yi in 2015.
Then, with 'With You 2' alongside Yoon Jung-soo, the nickname 'Sook Crush' emerged, and Kim Sook's popularity surged, culminating in her winning the Entertainment Award in 2020.
When asked what had changed most since her 20s, he replied, "In my 20s, I had a period of wandering, but I lived very intensely. I got hurt here and there, but now I seem to have gained know-how, and I think I am most focused on my happiness now."
Kim Sook stated, "The 20 years of failure in between have become good memories. I want to tell those who are wondering what their dream is not to give up. Someday, it might come true. I want to tell them that even if you wander, you can succeed," but also advised, "Don’t wander too much. If there is no Song Eun-yi or Yoo Jae-suk beside you, don’t wander."
[Photo] OSEN DB, broadcast screen capture.
[OSEN]