Kim Sook's Journey: From Struggles to Stardom in Comedy

Comedian Kim Sook recently opened up about her tumultuous journey in the entertainment industry during her appearance on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block' on June 4, celebrating her 30th anniversary in showbiz.

When congratulated on her milestone, Kim Sook humbly requested to skip the 30-year celebration, stating, "I feel like I haven't achieved much. It just feels like 30 years have passed while I was having fun. I spent 20 years wandering around. I’m so shy that I don’t even celebrate my birthday. I would probably hide during my wedding too."

Debuting at the age of 21 after winning a silver medal at the College Comedy Festival in 1995, Kim Sook shared that her nickname in the comedy world was 'Dorae' (돌아이). She humorously recounted how senior comedians would often send her on errands, recalling a time when she was asked to buy cigarettes worth 100,000 KRW and ended up bringing back 100 packs.

Having maintained a close bond with fellow comedian Yoo Jae-suk, who debuted in the 12th class while she was in the 7th, Kim Sook described her first impression of him as a supportive senior who always seemed to be on the sidelines, never making a fuss.

Reflecting on her struggles, Kim Sook revealed that she once opened a clothing store near Ewha Womans University but soon realized she disliked interacting with people, leading her to close the shop after just two months. She also ventured into various jobs, including painting plates and investing in stocks, which ultimately led to a loss.

She then fell into gaming, describing it as a happy time where she had a gaming asset worth 2 trillion KRW. "I set up four computers at home, turning it into a PC bang (internet cafe). I would stay up all night and sleep until 10 AM, then wake up to eat breakfast and go for a walk to buy cigarettes. I was around 25 or 26 years old during that dark period," she reminisced.

A turning point came when she looked in the mirror and was shocked by her appearance, prompting her to quit drinking and smoking. "I realized I was sulking because I felt ignored. I always lived within 10 minutes of the broadcasting station, constantly moving around Yeouido," she added.

After returning to the entertainment scene, Kim Sook gained popularity as the 'Slap Girl' on 'Gag Concert' and later as various characters, including Nanda Kim. However, she faced another lull in her career as talk shows began to dominate, which she found intimidating. "I couldn't jump into conversations, and I felt like I had no unique skills. After 'Infinite Girls,' my work dried up, and I was in my late 30s," she shared.

During this time, she traveled extensively, even lying to her father about attending graduate school. She expressed gratitude towards her friends, Song Eun-i and Yoo Jae-suk, who consistently reached out to her with opportunities.

In 2015, Kim Sook experienced a resurgence in her career by launching the podcast 'Secret Guarantee' with Song Eun-i. "I was supposed to join a program, and after preparing for a poster shoot, I found out I was dropped the day before. Frustrated, I suggested we create our own show that wouldn’t get canceled," she explained.

Her popularity soared with the show 'With You 2' alongside Yoon Jung-soo, earning her the nickname 'Sook Crush' and culminating in her winning the Entertainment Award in 2020.

When asked how her 20s differ from now, she reflected, "In my 20s, I was lost but lived fiercely, getting hurt in various places. Now, I focus on my happiness with the experience I've gained."

Kim Sook concluded with a message for those still searching for their dreams: "Don’t give up. Even if you wander, you can succeed. But don’t wander too much; if you don’t have friends like Song Eun-i and Yoo Jae-suk, it’s better not to wander at all."