Singer Shin Jung-hwan [Newsis]
Singer Shin Jung-hwan [Newsis]

Broadcaster Shin Jung-hwan has revealed why he abruptly closed a booming business in Singapore — one generating monthly sales of 200 million won ($147,000) — and returned to South Korea.

According to Insight, a video titled "Lee Seon-jeong x Shin Jung-hwan: Life Talk from People Who've Been Through It All" was recently posted on actor Lee Seon-jeong's YouTube channel.

That day, Lee visited Shin's newly opened dakgalbi restaurant and took a playful jab at him, saying, "Oppa, you've been in the food business a lot, haven't you? Didn't you blow it all in Singapore too?"

Shin fired back with mock indignation, drawing laughter from those present. "Why do you have to put it that way? I went under quietly," he said. Shin had previously disclosed that a shaved-ice shop he ran in Singapore became a hit, bringing in more than 200 million won a month in sales.

Asked why he walked away from such a thriving venture, Shin revealed the backstory. "The shop was doing incredibly well, but my agency head at the time told me, 'Broadcasting is where you belong,' and urged me to come back — so I shut it down and returned to Korea," he said.

He then delivered a wry, self-deprecating punchline that had the room in stitches. "They told me to come back and do TV, and what happened? I spent a few years off the air apologizing, then a few more years off the air apologizing again," he said.

When a producer noted that many fans were cheering for his return to broadcasting, Shin quipped, "There are plenty of supportive comments online, but not on the broadcaster's message board. If you have a moment, please head over to the MBC board and leave just one line."


husn7@heraldcorp.com