Broadcaster Shin Jung-hwan [Newsis]
Broadcaster Shin Jung-hwan [Newsis]

Broadcaster Shin Jung-hwan, 52, is making a fresh start after signing an exclusive contract with an entertainment agency for the first time in about 16 years.

Shin recently signed with Gorani Entertainment, a newly established management company, according to Star Today. He is currently running his own businesses, including a restaurant and a meal-kit venture, and joined the new agency to pursue his broadcasting career in a more structured way.

Gorani Entertainment was founded by Jung Hyung-hwan, chief executive of content production company Contents World. Shin became the first celebrity signed to the agency.

Jung is a former producer who directed "Extreme Comparison," a popular segment on the SBS variety program "Good Friends." He first crossed paths with Shin when he cast the then-rookie group Country Kko Kko on the show.

Born in 1974, Shin made his debut in 1994 as a member of the mixed-gender group Rula, then went on to form Country Kko Kko with Tak Jae-hoon in 1998, earning wide popularity.

His career was derailed in 2010, however, when he became embroiled in allegations of illegal overseas gambling in the Philippines. He compounded the controversy by falsely claiming he had contracted dengue fever to conceal the gambling. He was sentenced to eight months in prison and was released on parole through a Christmas amnesty that December.


husn7@heraldcorp.com