The Life and Love Journey of Joo Byung-jin

What is it like to live under the public eye for nearly half a century? This is the story of Joo Byung-jin, a broadcaster and entrepreneur currently featured on tvN's <이젠 사랑할 수 있을까> (Can We Love Now?), where he goes on blind dates with women. The response has been overwhelming, with view counts on YouTube soaring into the tens of thousands, and some videos even surpassing 1 million and 2 million views. Thousands of comments flood in, sparking debates on which woman suits Joo Byung-jin best, making it feel as if the entire nation is invested in his love life. Why is there such intense interest in a 60-something man's quest for love? I met him at his home in Sangam-dong, Seoul.

- The reaction to the show has been incredible.

"I can't believe it. I was really hesitant when I received the offer. I thought it was a silly idea, but everyone seems to enjoy it."

- Do you read the comments?

"I read some of them. I want to see how the audience is reacting. I realized many people are cheering for me."

At the time of the interview, he was in the midst of moving. He had sold his penthouse in Sangam-dong, where he had been living alone. Boxes were scattered around, indicating the packing process. He moved to a new home right after our conversation.

"I always dreamed of living in a spacious, nice house. Now that I've experienced it, I'm returning to reality. I thought I would have a family, but that hasn't happened. Living alone in a big house feels too lonely."

His home has been featured on television multiple times, and it's likely that the entire nation has seen it at least once. It served as the backdrop for a show where he adopted three Welsh Corgis named 'Big', 'Medium', and 'Small' (대·중·소) on the program <개밥 주는 남자> (The Man Who Feeds Dogs) on Channel A.

- How are Big, Medium, and Small doing?

"They're at a pet hotel. I found it too difficult to take care of all three by myself. Feeding them on time and taking them for walks every day was a struggle. It was hard for both the dogs and me. The shedding was also an issue. Their fur was everywhere, and it affected my respiratory health. Without anyone to help, I had no choice but to send them to the hotel. I visit them once or twice a week, taking them to the nearby mountain for two hours of exercise. Even though we live apart, we all know we're family."

- Was the youngest, Small, sick?

"He suffered from megaesophagus. During the show, they said he would only live for a year and a half, but he lived for another 7-8 years. The vet said he had a very strong will to live."

- You adopted them in 2015, so it's been over ten years now.

"I originally planned to adopt just one dog for the show, but they brought three. After the first day's filming, I complained to the director, saying, 'How can I take care of three?' They told me someone would take them after the show ended. I said, 'What if I get attached? Is it human to abandon them?' In the end, I had no choice but to keep them."

The names Big, Medium, and Small might seem a bit lazy, but their memorable names have made them some of the most famous Welsh Corgis in Korea.

"They grew up in this house, which holds many childhood memories for them. Before I move, I plan to bring them back for a few days to spend time together. It will be the last time we can share this space."

- Both the dog-raising show and the blind date program have received a lot of love. It seems you fit well into reality TV.

"While I was away from broadcasting, the paradigm of television changed completely. In the past, a single capable host would lead a show. A 50-minute program would be filmed for 65 to 70 minutes, depending on the cast's condition that day. Then came the era of multiple MCs, with four or five hosts. With advancements in equipment and increased investment, a one-hour show is now filmed over five or six hours."

- Shows like <런닝맨> (Running Man), <무한도전> (Infinite Challenge), and <1박 2일> (1 Night 2 Days) follow this format.

"The planning ability of the PDs has become crucial. When you have a large production team and cameras for long recordings, a certain level of quality is guaranteed. So, there’s little room for failure. However, it’s not natural. It creates an artificial pace that doesn’t exist in reality. The audience's emotions have to keep up with this heightened pace, which can lead to social issues. Situations that are hard to find in real life are edited to seem natural, making the content overly sensational. This could lead viewers to develop violent tendencies, like throwing cats from high-rise buildings or creating videos of hamsters in blenders."

- That makes sense.

"But I approach broadcasting with an old-school sentiment. The blind date show is no different. We don’t use multiple cameras for long shoots. There’s no script. We have a rough idea, like, 'How about talking about past loves?' I don’t know what will be discussed until just before filming. I think, 'I hope we have good conversations today.' Perhaps the audience appreciates this analog sentiment, similar to how Japanese viewers fell in love with <겨울 연가> (Winter Sonata)."

- I was surprised to see so many comments wishing you happiness. Some felt very sincere.

"I can feel the warmth from those who are aware of my wounds and want to support me."

Reflecting on this, it became clear that he has long been submerged in his pain. The sympathy and perhaps guilt felt by those who have watched him manifest in endless supportive comments. It’s reminiscent of the public's affection for the siblings of the late actress Choi Jin-sil, who left behind her children, Jun-hee and Hwan-hee. To understand his wounds, one must know the path he has walked.

Joo Byung-jin debuted as a comedian with TBC in 1977. He became a leading figure in the comedy era through shows like <청춘행진곡> (Youth March) and <일요일 밤의 대행진> (Sunday Night Parade). He reached the peak of his broadcasting career while hosting <일요일 일요일 밤에> (Sunday Sunday Night). He continued to create buzz with shows like <주병진쇼> (Joo Byung-jin Show) and <주병진의 데이트라인> (Joo Byung-jin's Dateline).

His name is often accompanied by the title 'Gentleman of Comedy.' With his sophisticated suit and charming demeanor, he pioneered Korean-style stand-up comedy, akin to American talk show hosts like Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno.

- Other comedians have mentioned that, unlike their peers who were treated like subordinates by PDs, you stood your ground.

"Back then, the production teams treated entertainers like laborers. If a cast member made a mistake, they would publicly berate them, even slapping them during rehearsals. It was infuriating. I was the youngest among legends like Gu Bong-seo, and I felt powerless. I hated it."

- What gave you the confidence to stand up?

"I didn’t see it as a master-servant relationship. I decided how I would perform on air. I even wrote my own scripts. If they made unreasonable demands, I firmly refused. I wouldn’t work with PDs who disrespected the cast."

- Where did that confidence come from?

"Maybe it was just recklessness."

Looking back, his broadcasting style was unique. He sometimes resembled a comedian, an MC, or even an announcer. This uniqueness likely fueled his confidence. During our conversation, I realized why he came across as a skilled announcer in his comedic performances. His pronunciation and vocalization are excellent. Perhaps he is an avid reader, as reading can improve one’s diction.

- Do you read a lot?

"I read newspapers more than books. I read the Chosun Ilbo, and these days, I read the newspaper out loud. It’s quite enjoyable."

- Not many books?

"I don’t read that many books. I write a lot in my diary. I’ve been doing it since I was 18 or 19. Writing regularly has improved my sentence structure. Keeping a diary during my energetic youth was very helpful."

- How did it help?

"It was a time for self-reflection. I came up with many new ideas while writing. Before bed, I would meet and converse with myself in my mind, which I found very fulfilling. I think I made the most progress during the times I kept a diary. I might start writing again; I found some old diaries while organizing my moving boxes."

- What did you write about?

"Evaluations of the situations I faced, my mistakes, and ways to overcome them. I wrote about wanting to lose weight every day."

- Were there times when you struggled with weight?

"I once weighed up to 85 kg. I’ve been managing my weight consistently."

- What’s your secret to managing it?

"Exercise. I consistently do cardio and strength training. There are parks near my home, and a full lap is about 7 km. I used to run every day. I even participated in marathons. I ran a national marathon from Jeju Seogwipo to Imjingak in Paju with athlete Jang Jae-geun. It was an event to help children with heart disease. I did it twice, and 13 children received surgeries thanks to that event."

- Have you ever received offers from the political sphere?

"I’ve received a couple of offers, cautiously through someone. I didn’t even consider it because I’m not that smart or capable. I have no interest in that area."

- Which party approached you?

"It was from the conservative side. Many people have ruined their lives in politics. I know my own abilities."

His eyes have always been set on business. His first venture was delivering newspapers.

"I delivered newspapers in middle school to earn pocket money because my family was struggling. I delivered the Korean Herald in Sajik-dong, handling 365 copies by myself. I would pick up the newspapers from the distribution center, deliver them, collect payments, and keep the profit. It was like a franchise. I would deliver to houses that were uncertain about subscribing. If I couldn’t collect the subscription fee, I would intentionally deliver to those houses less frequently."

- Why was that?

"It was a way to create urgency. Later, I would propose, 'I’ll deliver properly if you subscribe at half price.' If they accepted, I would at least recover half. I had some creative ideas back then. At that time, butchers would wrap meat in newspaper, so I would give leftover newspapers to the butcher for some pocket money. I would also throw a few copies to soldiers passing by, encouraging them to read."

While working in broadcasting, he opened a café in Banbae-dong called 'James Dean,' which quickly became a local hotspot. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to the underwear market, where his company, 'Good People,' dominated the industry and became the number one brand.

- What was the highest revenue you recorded?

"At one point, we reached sales in the mid-3000 billion won range."

- You created several brands, right? I remember Bodyguard and James Dean.

"Back then, we had a single brand for all ages, from infants to adults. For example, men would wear 'Big Man' from babyhood to adulthood. We segmented the market. For those who preferred high-end, stylish underwear, we had James Dean; for family-friendly underwear, we had Bodyguard; and for sexy underwear, we had Sexy Cookie."

- The company isn’t what it used to be, is it?

"The underwear market has collapsed. When I was managing it, we were creating new markets, but now it seems there’s no ability to create new ones. With the influx of cheap Chinese products, underwear has become a necessity. When I was running Good People, we created a market for fashionable underwear that people wanted to wear."

- That’s unfortunate.

"I started from nothing and caught up with brands like Ssangbangwool and Taechang, showing the direction the market should take. Employees from that time say their happiest days were at Good People. We experienced growth rates of 100%, 200%, and even 300% in some years. I managed the company for 20 years. I still meet with employees; we have OB gatherings by department. It feels like a reunion, and the atmosphere is great. If I could go back and change one moment, I would want to return to before selling Good People and make it a leading company."

Listening to him, I wondered if he might be a perfectionist. He seemed to choose his words carefully to avoid misunderstandings. I asked if he was self-censoring out of habit. His response was unexpected.

"I’ve been through a lot. I often encountered people who thought that if they touched me, they would become famous. There have been various incidents, most of which I was a victim of."

- You once argued that we should create a crime for 'internet attempted murder.' Was that the reason?

"I had a significant incident. People who didn’t know the details wrote various things, and false information created a distorted public opinion. For the person being targeted, it’s a huge wound. Physical wounds heal over time, but emotional scars seem to last forever. A person’s mind can suffer so much pain that it could lead to suicide. I believe we need to prevent the behavior of hiding behind anonymity to post reckless comments, whether through real-name systems or other methods."

The significant incident he refers to occurred in 2000 when Joo Byung-jin was falsely accused of raping a female college student. He was convicted in the first trial, with evidence suggesting that his lawyer had paid the accuser, Kang, a settlement.

New facts emerged after the first trial. It was revealed that Kang was not a college student but a bar worker, and her sister had previously extorted money from someone using a similar method. It was also disclosed that Kang had asked a friend to injure her face and then falsely testified that Joo Byung-jin had caused the injury. Ultimately, he was acquitted in the second trial, and in 2002, the Supreme Court dismissed the charges.

Joo Byung-jin filed defamation lawsuits against Kang, the journalist who reported the incident, and the police officers involved. He also filed a damages claim. In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that "the defendant (Kang) must pay the plaintiff (Joo Byung-jin) 100 million won for emotional distress." Kang fled to the United States, and while Joo Byung-jin was exonerated, the public largely overlooked his plight.

His battle continued for a long time, facing public scrutiny, irresponsible comments, regret, and hatred. At one point, he even contemplated suicide.

"I felt it was too unfair to die, but I couldn’t find the mental space to escape those thoughts. I began to understand the mindset of those who take their own lives. Around 1 AM, I went to Han River Bridge. I walked on the bridge, not intending to jump but curious about the mindset of those who do. I was nurturing thoughts of suicide. But there was already someone there."

- What kind of person?

"A man was sitting on the railing, one leg over the road and the other over the river, swaying back and forth. He was drunk. I approached him quietly from behind. When he looked the other way, I grabbed him and pulled him back. He was shocked. After pulling him back, I noticed shoes and a letter on the railing."

- He really was going to jump.

The letter revealed he was considering suicide due to his girlfriend's family opposing their relationship. I thought to myself, 'What a spoiled reason.' I took him across the bridge, and we ended up having a drink at a street stall. I told him, 'Let’s live hard and not die.' Those words ended up being a message to myself."

- It’s been 25 years, but you still haven’t overcome it?

"I haven’t. In the end, I have to carry it in my heart and leave this world. I think the challenge is how flexibly I can create memories while I’m alive."

- The younger generation doesn’t really know about that incident. Based on the public's reaction to your recent show, it seems they have already moved on. It feels like you’re still stuck in that moment.

"That incident caused me a lot of pain and hurt my pride. I regret the time I spent in conflict. How many years did I suffer because of it? I once read a story about a tiger that lived behind the Blue House for a long time. A journalist wrote, 'There’s a dangerous tiger here.' The police rushed to catch it, and in the end, they killed the tiger. It felt like my story."

- Why?

"The investigators at that time were trying to make it a big case. They even conducted a bodily fluid test at the police hospital, but it wasn’t my fluid. It belonged to someone else."

- If that’s true, it’s evidence tampering.

"A police officer took a photo of an injury that was supposedly caused by me, but it showed no signs of injury. They even applied disinfectant to make it look bruised. A nurse from the hospital later confessed in an interview."

After receiving a not guilty verdict, it became clear why he filed lawsuits against the police officers and doctors. He continued, "I didn’t do anything in the car. But it was an interesting case. They pressured me hard. A tabloid magazine interviewed the woman who lied and published a series of articles. I sued that journalist and eventually received damages. I used that money to help the less fortunate."

- That’s what you call 'financial therapy' these days.

"At that time, I was almost ready to give up on life. Even if I was acquitted, it didn’t matter. My pride was hurt, and I stopped broadcasting. I handed over my business to my brother. I hated the world. I was afraid of people, afraid of women, and terrified of everything. I completely forgot how to love. My business began to falter because I couldn’t focus."

Ultimately, he sold his shares and management rights in Good People in 2008.

- The impact of the incident was significant.

"My entire life was shaken. I felt annoyed and only thought about dying. I even considered immigrating to the United States."

- Why didn’t you go?

"I was in the process of applying, but I realized I had a mother. I had been so wrapped up in my own troubles that I forgot about her. I thought, 'If I leave, my mother will be left alone. Is this what a son should do?' It was a wake-up call. I decided not to leave and to gather my thoughts and fight through it, to heal my wounds."

- Have you healed?

"Initially, I thought about revenge. Later, I changed my mindset to one of gratitude. 'The way to repay is to succeed.'"

- Who are you trying to repay?

"I’m talking about those I need to apologize to and those who need to apologize to me."

- So, have you found some peace?

"I still have nightmares sometimes. I wake up startled by an unknown anxiety or restlessness, then fall back asleep... I’m trying to forgive because they say it brings peace. I want to dilute and cleanse everything before I leave this world. I can’t suffer in the afterlife."

Listening to him, I was reminded of Lee Sun-kyun, who took his own life in December 2023 while under investigation for drug use. In his case, suspicious women attempted to extort money from him due to his fame. Lee Sun-kyun must have lived a hellish life, waking up alone from nightmares in the middle of the night. Was that why he hurriedly left this world?

- Lee Sun-kyun also had to stand in front of the press three times while being summoned by the police. After expressing his grievances, he made that choice. What did you feel when you saw Lee Sun-kyun?

"I understand that feeling. I vaguely... worried that the worst situation might unfold. How much pain must one feel to throw away their life to escape? It’s so tragic."

- Forgiveness is indeed difficult. I heard that Kang, who falsely accused you, is living well in the U.S. now. I occasionally hear updates about her through Korean Americans.

"I don’t hold any resentment towards her. What good would that do? She was just a young girl with a short-sighted view, only thinking about money. I can understand that she might have acted that way given her circumstances. However, there are groups that prey on celebrities. Those who create such incidents are unforgivable. I dislike them."

"I’ve often calmed myself by thinking, 'There are many people who are ten or a hundred times more unfairly treated than I am. How much have they suffered? How many have given up on living decently and died?' On the other hand, I also thought, 'If I were in the shoes of those who orchestrated the incident, would I have acted differently? Would I have done what they did to survive?'"

- You’ve thought a lot about this.

"I try not to form connections. It’s a habit I developed after that incident. I fear that if I meet someone, some variable might come into play that makes my life difficult again. Even at the gym, I keep my head down while working out. If I make eye contact and start talking, new stories might emerge, leading to misunderstandings and troubles."

- A lot has changed in your life.

"My values have been shaken and confused. A negative perspective on the world has begun to take root within me. I’ve always disliked discussing things that aren’t true as if they were true. But I used to think it was okay to react moderately. After that incident, I became overly sensitive. I’m much more guarded now."

- Do you realize when you’re being overly sensitive?

"I do. When someone mentions the most painful things to me, I can feel my eyes start to turn. I know I’m being overly sensitive. A fan has high, medium, and low settings, but for that incident, I only have the 'high' setting."

- Have you ever sought psychological counseling?

"I haven’t. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking alone. I’ve experienced aphasia and panic disorders. I often traveled alone. When I was in Korea, I kept thinking about it, so I would go to the U.S. and stay for about six months."

His words seemed to carry the weight of years of anguish and contemplation, ground down by the gears of time.

"I think I live my life too cautiously. Living too cautiously makes life heavy. I try to live lightly. Since I believe the remaining years are shorter than the days I’ve lived, I feel like I’m becoming lighter. In the final stages, my small goal is to organize and let go of things one by one."

- When did you wish you had gotten married?

"My nickname was 'Mommy.' I love children. If other people's kids are this cute, how much cuter would my own be? I thought the age limit would be when my child goes to school with their dad without feeling embarrassed. I tried to get married by then, but I’ve given up now."

- Have you ever considered adoption?

"I’ve imagined it. But thinking about raising a child alone scares me. I wonder if it would be painful for the child to learn they were adopted. I don’t think I’m that good of a person."

- How did you try to get married?

"This was before the incident. I had an unspoken agreement to marry a friend. But then conflicts arose. When she said, 'Let’s stop seeing each other,' I burst into tears. I felt like if I broke up, I would never love again. There were two women I wanted to marry in my life. I loved a couple of people, but that’s about it."

- That seems a bit low compared to your life experiences.

"I thought marriage was a once-in-a-lifetime gamble. I was extremely cautious. I didn’t date much. At that time, my obsession with business was strong, so I didn’t allow myself to be vulnerable. Whenever I started to like someone, I tried to maintain distance."

- Why?

"I thought it would interfere with my business. Growing up in poverty, I always thought I had to succeed and make it big. I believed that getting involved with someone too quickly could be a distraction."

- Since that incident, have you not dated at all?

"I haven’t. I felt scared whenever I met someone. Maybe it’s trauma."

- You could have been introduced to someone verified.

"I didn’t give anyone a chance. I pushed them away because my heart wasn’t settled."

- Do you regret living that way?

"No. I’ve achieved what I wanted. Looking at my life as a whole, love is missing. It feels incomplete. Just because material needs are met doesn’t mean I’ve lived a successful life. A home without family is just a shell. That’s why I wanted to sell this house long ago."

- Now you’re leaving this house for a new beginning. Don’t you want to start love anew?

"I’ve started to soften the edges of my heart a bit. But there are still stains I can’t erase. I don’t think I can completely wipe away those traces in this life. If I had a lot of time left, maybe I could, but now it seems impossible. I might end up carrying them with me. However, if something happens in my life, whether it’s love, business, religion, or enlightenment, I might be able to approach it lightly. The chances are slim, though."