Comedian Shin Gi-ru. [Newsis]
Comedian Shin Gi-ru. [Newsis]

Comedian Shin Gi-ru held a first solo fan meeting in 22 years, selling out all 1,000 seats and breaking down in tears by the end.

The main stage of Shin's first adults-only solo fan meeting, "No Con Show," will be featured on Saturday's episode of MBC variety program "Jeonjijeokin Chamgyeon Sijeom."

A host of close supporters gathered that day to cheer Shin on.

Fellow comedians Hong Yun-hwa and husband Kim Min-gi, Hong Hyeon-hui and husband Jay Ssun, Lee Eun-hyeong and husband Kang Jae-jun, Pungja and Lee Yong-jin all showed up, along with the owners of Shin's favorite regular haunts. The group rallied loudly to lift Shin's spirits as nerves set in before the show.

MBC's "Jeonjijeokin Chamgyeon Sijeom"
MBC's "Jeonjijeokin Chamgyeon Sijeom"

The show opened with a striking entrance that immediately commanded attention. Billing itself as stand-up comedy, Shin subverted expectations by being carried onstage seated in a chair rather than walking out — an entrance unlike anything seen before.

The audience matched the energy. Cheers erupted at even the smallest gestures — a sip of water, a brief stroll across the stage. At one point, a single unrestrained burp drew a full round of applause from the entire crowd.

At the end of the performance, fans surprised Shin with a special event. Eyes already red, Shin saw the last of the fans off before heading backstage, where the emotions held in check all night finally gave way.


choigo@heraldcorp.com