Kim Jong Kook, while guest starring on variety show, delivered a touching performance for an applicant couple alongside memorable quotes, bringing warm laughter and emotion befitting Christmas Eve.
The show featured Park Joon Hyung, Jang Hyuk, and Kim Jong Kook as they tackled various requests throughout the day. In particular, Kim Jong Kook, a singer who spent 10 years in relative obscurity, collaborated with a longtime fan to create an emotional stage that deeply moved not only the applicants but also the viewers.
The day started with the “Park Jang Bros” receiving their first call: “There are many shoes whose owners are missing. Please help find the owners,” which took them to a gym. The applicant was the gym owner, who explained, “Many members leave behind their sneakers, so I hope the two of you can help find their owners.” Receiving the gym’s member list to contact them, the “Park Jang Bros” found a familiar figure exercising nearby—singer Kim Jong Kook. Joined by his close friend Jang Hyuk, Kim Jong Kook took on the role of the day’s call-solver, showing warm loyalty. Upon checking the call’s details, Kim Jong Kook started with his trademark frugality, asking, “Why didn’t they take perfectly fine shoes with them?”
As they sorted shoes, the trio talked about Kim Jong Kook’s recent married life. Park Joon Hyung asked, “Isn’t it good to be married?” Kim Jong Kook replied, “Since I don’t have children yet with my younger wife, it’s not much different from before marriage, and I like it.” When asked if they ever fought over tidying the house, he shared a wise thought: “I don’t nag much. We try to respect the different lives we’ve lived. If something is uncomfortable, I just fix it myself.” Jang Hyuk quickly retorted, “Wait until you have kids!” leaving Kim Jong Kook a bit dizzy.
Amidst their playful chemistry, the three called each gym member individually to tell them to pick up their sneakers. When one member suggested “disposing of the shoes,” Kim Jong Kook expressed his thoughts: “They’re precious shoes; shouldn’t they be taken?” Park Joon Hyung agreed, saying, “I also take leftover water and wet wipes home after god concerts.” United by their frugality, they warmly welcomed members who came to retrieve shoes and even actively encouraged gym membership renewals, pleasing the gym owner applicant.
After successfully completing the first call, the “Park Jang Bros” and Kim Jong Kook received a serious second call: “I’m worried if I should live with this kind of husband.” They met a newlywed couple in a building where the wife sent the call, complaining, “My husband is so stingy he doesn’t throw things away and even eats expired food. Our baby will be born soon, and I’m worried he’ll keep doing this.”
But Kim Jong Kook sided with the husband, saying, “Isn’t that a good thing?” Emboldened, the husband proudly revealed his thrifty habits, like reusing wet wipes, keeping worn socks, and cutting used toothpaste tubes. Park Joon Hyung smiled warmly and related, “I use razors until my face hurts and wear underwear for over 10 years.”
The couple even shared their household ledger, and Park Joon Hyung advised, “Everything’s good, but I hope you don’t skimp too much on preparing for the baby.” Kim Jong Kook agreed, saying, “The husband’s saving could stress the pregnant wife, so they should communicate well”—a great resolution to their call.
Finally, the trio received a desperate call: “My husband has been an unknown singer for 10 years and wants to quit singing for his family. Please encourage him not to lose his dream.” At a café, the applicant woman who sent the call shared that she met her husband busking in Hongdae six years ago; after a long relationship, they married this year and are expecting a child. Her husband is a longtime fan of Kim Jong Kook and even made a cover video of his song “One Man.”
Park Joon Hyung encouraged him, saying, “I debuted at 30 with god.” Then jokingly asked if his ancestor was a “mosquito-style” singer, sparking laughter with the husband’s falsetto singing style. Kim Jong Kook revealed, “I heard the story in advance and prepared a special stage.” The “Park Jang Bros” staged a meeting with the husband at a nearby barbecue restaurant, pretending to give life advice. Unaware of the setup, the husband confessed, “Now that I have a family to support, I’m thinking of quitting singing.” Kim Jong Kook, waiting nearby, expressed sympathy: “I totally understand. When you have a family, you can’t act selfishly.”
Moved by the sincere advice from the “Park Jang Bros,” the husband’s eyes welled up as Kim Jong Kook surprised everyone by performing his song “One Man.” After finishing the first verse to cheers, Kim Jong Kook passed the microphone to the husband, who overcame his emotions and sang the second verse passionately, turning the venue into a sea of tears. The applicant wife appeared holding flowers and embraced him tightly.
The husband then added the touching finale by singing BIGBANG Taeyang’s “Eyes, Nose, Lips,” which he first sang when he saw his wife busking in Hongdae. Kim Jong Kook warmly encouraged, “If you keep challenging yourself in music without giving up, good opportunities will come.” The husband vowed, “I won’t give up and will work hard, thanks to your support,” bringing smiles to the “Park Jang Bros.”
