Roy Kim [YouTube channel 'Jjanhan Hyung Shin Dong-yeop']
Roy Kim [YouTube channel 'Jjanhan Hyung Shin Dong-yeop']

Singer Roy Kim, 33, has revealed that his childhood dream was to become a comedian.

Roy Kim appeared Monday on the YouTube channel "Jjanhan Hyung Shin Dong-yeop" in an episode titled "Gangnam Roy Kim Yena Jjanhan Hyung EP.167 — Calling Gangnam's Neighborhood Friends," alongside fellow singer Gangnam.

During the episode, host Shin Dong-yeop said he had assumed the lineup of Gangnam and Roy Kim meant it would be a "wild card" special, adding that many people had recently come to appreciate Roy Kim's comedic side. Shin then brought up an old broadcast clip, noting that Roy Kim had once listed "comedian" as his dream job.

Roy Kim confirmed the story. "I was active as a comedy kid," he said. "In second grade, I performed alongside comedian Kim Hyeong-gon."

Roy Kim appeared with Kim Hyeong-gon on a segment of the KBS comedy program "Show! Lucky Train," which aired in 2001. The segment featured children holding mock parliamentary debates, and a clip of Roy Kim answering Kim's question about drunk driving by saying "just get rid of the bars" became well known. Roy Kim had long dreamed of becoming a comedian, auditioned for the show and joined the cast, but left after five weeks reportedly due to his mother's objections.

Roy Kim also showed off his quick wit during the episode. When Shin asked whether he had ever had plastic surgery, Roy Kim quipped that he had not had any procedure "other than the one most guys get." He also recounted asking his mother for a luxury watch as a high school graduation gift — the two visited a watch store together to check the price — and said that the moment they stepped outside and the staff were out of sight, "she smacked me on the back of the head."

Roy Kim made his debut as a singer after winning Mnet's "Superstar K4" in 2012.


paq@heraldcorp.com