Strong singer

Kim Jong Kook runs a fun meeting

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos courtesy of Neo Creation

Multi-talented entertainer Kim Jong Kook became known to Thai fans almost a decade ago when he became a permanent guest on the popular Korean variety show, X-Man.

With his witty gags and personal charm, Jong Kook soon became a big star throughout Asia, especially when he started co-hosting the high-rating TV variety show Family Outing a few years ago.

More recently, the 37-year-old star was been nicknamed Sparta Kook and The Commander on his current show, Running Man, due the fact that he often gets to show off his physical strength on the programme.

Aside from being a skillful TV host, Jong Kook is a great ballad singer, best known for his heartbreaking hit, “One Man.” In 2005, Jong Kook was awarded best artist of the year by three major Korean TV stations for his album This Is Me.

INTERNATIONAL STAR

On September 14, the hot host visited Thailand to meet his Thai fans at his Sparta Kim Jong Kook Live in Bangkok fan meeting, which took place at the well-decorated and cosy Aksra Theatre King Power hall.

Before Jong Kook hit stage, there was beautiful traditional Korean performance by a group called Miso. Jong Kook then appeared onstage dressed casually in a blue shirt and shorts. He quickly satisfied his fans by singing the romantic song “Today More Than Yesterday.” Since the heart-throb is popular throughout Asia, the audience was made up of fans from many countries including China, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore.

GOOD LOOKS

The fans all screamed like crazy when video clips of different hosts from Running Man were shown. The MC then asked Jong Kook to rank the hosts by their appearance. He picked female host Song Ji Hyo as the best-looking of the bunch. For the second best he picked himself, reasoning that the others hosts all looked similar.

DREAM GIRL

When the fans were allowed to ask questions, Jong Kook was asked if he preferred younger girls or women his own age. The singer said he didn’t care much about age, but added that he was quite old. He also said that if he dates an older woman, he has to worry more about their future.

When asked what kind of woman he liked, fans kept calling out the name of Yoon Eun Hye, the actress who was his partner on X-Man. Jong Kook agreed shyly that she was his type.

FUN AND GAMES

The game session was a highlight of the fan meeting. The last game was the most fun, when Post-it notes were stuck on the bodies of competitors, who then had to try to get them off by dancing. Jong Kook lost in the final round, joking that Thai Post-it notes were stickier that he expected.

LOVELY TWIST

At the end of the show, Jong Kook sang “One Man” before leaving the stage. He then came back for an encore to sing the dance song “Twist King” and the adorable “Lovely,” which made the audience get up from their seats and dance. The star then surprised his fans by briefly showing off his six-pack, which drove the crowd wild.

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Kim Jong Kook also met with the Thai press and fans at the Column Bangkok Hotel for a press conference. Here’s what the star had to say.

Question: Have you ever been interested in acting?

Jong Kook: I’ve performed in music videos before, and I think my acting was pretty good. If I had a part in a drama, I’d like to play a cop. In Running Man, I get to chase people to catch them. I think a cop character would suit me well.

Question: Which of your nicknames on Running Man do you like the most?

Jong Kook: Tiger Kook is what I’m called when I attack the host Lee Kwang Soo, who is also known as Giraffe. I get called Sparta when I chase people. I like both names because they both refer to my strength!

Question: Does your latest single “Men Are All Alike” describe you?

Jong Kook: The song describes good and bad sides of guys, but only the positive things describe me. [Laughs.]

Question: How do you manage to stay fit?

Jong Kook: I don’t smoke or drink alcohol. I also exercise a lot to stay healthy.

Question: What is it about your Thai fans that impresses you the most?

Jong Kook: My Thai fans welcomed me so well. I was very impressed. They always support me nicely.

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