hankyoreh

By Nam Ji-en

“We‘re living in an unfortunate time for citizens right now, but it’s a wonderful time to be a comedian. The material is inexhaustible. A reporter asked me why I keep engaging in political activity, and I said that while I haven‘t done that, comedy will quit politics once politics quits with comedy.”

　Television personality Kim Je-dong was in fine form at the venue for “Kim Je-dong Talk Concert Season 3,” which has held Saturday night at Changwon’s MBC Hall. In addition to stories about his family and other personal anecdotes, he had the packed hall of 1,300 roaring with his views on the absurdities of society and politics.

　The Talk Concerts, which Kim launched at a small Daehak-ro theater in 2009, are what their name suggests: Kim talking to the audience about various topics. More than 100 thousand people had attended the unusual shows by the time of a Feb. 4 performance in Geoje.

　After the Changwon concert, the Hankyoreh met with Kim in the waiting room. Kim, whose jaw line has grown more pronounced with his weight loss, laughed that the secret behind his popularity was the fact that “viewers feel a sense of commonality and comfort from me.”

　Kim began the concerts in 2009 after leaving his television programs, including the KBS 2 show Star Golden Bell, amid rumors of outside pressures. In response to charges that the concerts were “political events,” he said, “The emphasis is on common-sense things.”

　“I would never have gotten to a third season if viewers had even the slightest thought that this was some surly political show,” he added. “More than half of it is about my family. Have I insulted the President? Never.”

　Kim said, “I‘d like to create an atmosphere where everyone can voice their opinion.”

　He added, “As long as I have a microphone in my hand, I’m going to call it as I see it.”

　Kim Je-dong is viewed by many as a socially engaged entertainer. He said he plans to visit the sites of strikes at MBC and the Kukmin Ilbo. But he added that he is bothered by terms like “social-trainer” and “champion of progressives.”

　“I don‘t want to be some great fighter, and I couldn’t even if I wanted to,” he explained. “I find myself thinking, ‘Am I qualified to do this? Isn’t it hypocritical and fake for me when I drive a nice car and live in a nice house?‘ Those are the toughest times for me. But it seems like 51% of me leads and the rest follows.”

　Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]