Kim Jong Min recently appeared on JTBC's "Talking Street" as a one of the guests. During the show, he opened up about the period in his career when he experienced a great slump.
The TV personality is one of the main cast members of favorite KBS variety show "1 Night 2 Days." Throughout the show's history, he is the only original member who still appears until the current season 3.
Kim revealed that in season 1, after just four months of being on the program, he had to leave because of the mandatory army duty. He was discharged in 2009 after two years of military service.
It was fortunate that "1 Night 2 Days" was still around at that time so he was able to return as one of the casts. However, Kim recalled that his comeback did not go smoothly. In fact, when he never felt so low like it did when he returned to the show.
According to Kim, many people complained that he was not as funny anymore. He said that some anti-fans even created a petition to kick him out so he seriously thought of withdrawing from the program, Insight reported.
In the end, he stayed as season 1's producer/director Na Young Suk encouraged him to keep going. Kim relayed that PD Na supported him so he slowly got back his groove.
As cited on Sports Chosun, another disappointment hit the comedian when at the end of season 2, he received a termination notice. Kim narrated that Cha Tae Hyun talked with the producers and suggested that "1 Night 2 Days" should keep at least one of its original members.
The comedian stated that being able to stay due to the plea of a colleague could have hurt his pride, but he chose to look at it positively. He simply considered it as another opportunity and did his best in every episode.
Segye noted that Kim stayed loyal to the show and after nine years, he finally won the Daesang or Grand Award at the 2016 KBS Entertainment Awards for "1 Night 2 Days." In addition, the travel variety show received the Best Program Award and this made the comedian think that a bigger opportunity has indeed came his way.
