Kim Tae-kyun, Cheon Rok-dam (Lee Jung), Lee Dae-hyung, and Go Woo-rim, who appeared on 'Radio Star,' captivated audiences on Wednesday night with their heartfelt stories and delightful episodes during the 'Mr. Voice' special. From the legend of radio to the rising star of the trot genre and the oracle of commentary, the commonality of 'voice' left a deep impression on viewers through the unique charms of the four.
The MBC program 'Radio Star,' directed by Kim Myung-yeop, Hwang Yoon-sang, and Byeon Da-hee, was themed 'Mr. Voice' on the broadcast aired on the 18th. According to Nielsen Korea on the 19th, the show recorded a household viewership rating of 3.7% in the metropolitan area, ranking first in its time slot and also taking the top spot in the 2049 viewership category. The 'best moment' was a scene featuring Go Woo-rim showcasing his rare low voice during the MSG performance, which achieved a viewership rating of 5.2%.
Kim Tae-kyun calmly shared his journey from being a 20-year DJ of 'Cultwo Show' to starting as an MBC public recruiting comedian. He moved the audience by revealing stories of his father's absence, a difficult childhood, and how he dreamed of becoming a DJ after listening to Lee Moon-sae's 'A Starry Night.' He reflected on his school days as an aspiring voice actor majoring in audio acting at Seoul Institute of the Arts, shared the story of starting a selfie stick business inspired by listener suggestions, and recounted moving listener stories while emphasizing the meaning of being 'a person who comforts with their voice.'
He recalled, "Being a radio DJ was a job only possible if one became a celebrity, so my journey began with taking the comedian exam." He revealed a behind-the-scenes story of sneaking in a 3-minute gag to audition for MBC, and shared that all famous character voice actors like SpongeBob and Pororo were his peers and seniors.
His radio life began with a confession saying, "I dreamed of being a DJ," where he discovered genuine value through the stories shared by listeners. He detailed examples of the 'selfie stick' business, stories about a listener who brought actual toilet paper for a 'urgent situation story,' and an inspiring story about how listening to 'Cultwo Show' while contemplating a drastic choice became a turning point in his life, showcasing that Kim Tae-kyun's broadcasts provided more than just laughter but also comfort.
He also stirred excitement in the studio by mentioning, "There were times when I received blank checks from other broadcasting companies because of 'Cultwo Show.'" He conveyed the significance of his two decades of unwavering presence. His comment, "If I can make someone's life brighter, that's enough," warmed the hearts of viewers.
Cheon Rok-dam confessed that after changing his name from 'Lee Jung' to 'Cheon Rok-dam,' both his music and life changed by 180 degrees. He expressed a sense of musical liberation through trot, saying, "It feels like I'm finally wearing my own clothes." He also displayed pride in the legacy of 'Trotlineage' that connects him with his grandfather, who was a traditional singer, and his father, who is a trot singer.
He mentioned his second peak, saying, "At first, I wanted to give up on my business, was unwell, and wanted to let everything go, but now advertisements are coming in, and a fan club has formed," and pointed to "my wife's one sentence" as the reason he appeared on 'Mr. Trot 3.' He expressed deep affection, stating that he chose trot because of her words, "I wish you would do what you're good at."
Cheon Rok-dam candidly revealed his battle with kidney cancer, which he discovered thanks to his wife. He emotionally shared, "She suggested I get an abdominal CT, and it turned out to be cancer," adding, "If I hadn't married, I wouldn't have known about this disease." He noted that he is currently managing his health after recovery.
He shared an episode where his name was difficult to spell in text voting, resulting in invalid votes. He chuckled, saying, "I am also called Cheongnokdang or Cheongnokdam," and added, "Now, my name, music, and life feel like the perfect fit," showcasing his completed self.
Lee Dae-hyung lit up the atmosphere by sharing his magnificent career and amusing commentary anecdotes, true to the legend of '505 stolen bases.' He declared, "I run on instinct" after having achieved the third most steals in KBO history with 505 stolen bases, winning the title of stolen base king for four consecutive years. He impressed the MCs by revealing his philosophy of stealing bases, saying, "It's not timing, it's sense."
He also recounted the story of how injuries ended his career at 505 stolen bases. He shared calmly, "If I had just gone a bit further, I could have surpassed the records of my seniors, Lee Jong-bum and Jeon Joon-ho, but I was halted by a torn ACL injury." However, he expressed that his current role as a commentator suits him better, and he brought laughter with his visuals and anecdotes that reflected the past popularity of 'KBO's Cha Eun-woo.'
He shared a story connected to his nickname 'scissors commentary.' He accurately predicted the director's strategies and analyzed weather conditions to foresee mistakes in fly balls, earning him the reputation of being called a 'prophet' by fans.
He also demonstrated his 'bed hitting form.' He researched his own batting technique to utilize his quick feet, leading fans to call it 'three-segment separation,' bringing laughter as he said, "Before the ball even makes contact, I'm already running to first base," turning the studio into a sea of laughter.
He made predictions for the Korean Series this year. He asserted, "The regular season will be LG, and the Korean Series will be Hanwha," eliciting reactions of 'reservation for sacred words.' He confidently stated, "Hanwha will win if they score more than three points," showcasing his analytical ability. The MCs praised him, saying, "Even in entertainment, you're playing the scissor game," expressing curiosity about whether this scenario would come true while supporting his bright future as a commentator.
Go Woo-rim, who started with the deep tones and emotions of a baritone, surprised everyone by delivering laughter through impressions and witty remarks. He shared everything, from his love story with his wife Kim Yuna to military anecdotes and personal talents, successfully completing his first entertainment appearance after his discharge.
He revealed that his relationship started when his wife sent him a birthday greeting DM first, sharing candidly about their four-year secret relationship, his proposal at 24, and a romantic episode during a trip to Paris. He displayed his affectionate side, stating, "Even though my wife planned the trip entirely, I've never been disappointed."
He also disclosed a story about his wife visiting during his military service. He humorously shared, "The whole battalion went into an uproar," and recounted a story about how junior soldiers greeted him when they saw commercials featuring him. He even showcased his lavishly decorated 'discharge uniform.'
He left the studio in stitches by imitating 'Cho Se-ho doing an impression of Choi Hong-man.' Kim Gook-jin, Kim Gu-ra, Yoo Se-yoon, and Jang Doyoun all crumbled in laughter, and praises flowed, saying, "If you don't laugh at this, you've got a problem." Go Woo-rim added joyfully, "My wife laughed too," further enhancing the laughter. He remarked, "I gave up visuals in exchange for laughter," expressing his desire to simply live well now.
The MCs expressed their excitement, stating, "Now we have one more entertainment ace." His sincerity, humor, and warmth harmoniously drew praise from viewers. Go Woo-rim concluded the stage with a genuine song, leaving the audience looking forward to his future appearances.
Next week on 'Radio Star,' a special titled 'It's So Easy to Do Business!,' featuring Lee Bong-won, Hong Seok-cheon, Cha Jun-hwan, and Kang Ji-young, is set to air.
[Photo] SNS, MBC
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