Lee Kyung-kyu and Park Na-rae also acknowledge it… Chun-bong and Cheom-ji are not fathers, but ‘comedian Song Ha-bin’ [DA : Interview ①]

Comedian Song Ha-bin(31)is better known as the father of the ‘star’ cats Chun-bongi and Cheom-ji than by his three-letter real name.He, who openly and confidently calls himself a ‘gopal-nam(a man who makes money by selling cats),’ is going around the country to earn money(?) himself.He is holding his first solo stand-up comedy nationwide tour ‘Fighting’ under his own name in seven years since his debut.

As mentioned earlier, Song Ha-bin is famous as the butler of the cat sisters Chun-bong and Cheom-ji.He started to gain attention through the YouTube channel ‘Underworld’ that he started with his wife Park Ji-yeon before getting married.The combination of cute and innocent cats and a large man in a hospital gown was shocking yet refreshing, and Park’s laughter reminiscent of the sound of a boiling kettle and his editing sense made it permeate and even dig into the netizens ‘algorithms.As a result,’ Underworld ‘showed crazy growth last year and achieved 1 million subscribers in just 11 months.

But if you look closely, it is the result of’ step-by-step growth ‘.He played goalkeeper until his first year of college, and after serving in the military, he changed his life’s path to comedy.The place he went to without a plan was the Korean Folk Village.He went back and forth between thatched houses and the low-rise streets and had a blast with comedy.It was here that he first met his current wife, Ms.Park.

“After I quit being a goalkeeper, I thought, ‘What do I like?’ and I thought I should do comedy.As soon as I was discharged from the military, I applied to the Korean Folk Village.It was a really hot channel online, so I thought, ‘If I get accepted here, I’m qualified to be a comedian.’ I got accepted right away.When I performed at the Korean Folk Village, I was really popular.People even waited in line to see our performance.I think that’s where it all started.”


Since then, Song Ha-bin’s stage has moved from Korean Folk Village to stand-up comedy.From 2018 to the present, he has been improving his skills by performing on various stand-up comedy stages every week at offline comedy clubs such as Meta Comedy Club.

“I happened to see Yoo Byung-jae’s stand-up comedy video and it was so funny.I was attracted to the idea of making the audience laugh with just one microphone in front of them.I heard that the ‘Pishik University’ guys were doing stand-up comedy offline, so I went to the concert and got to be a part of that scene.”

Song Ha-bin, who describes himself as the ‘underdog’ of the comedy world, also learned a lot through the Netflix variety show ‘Comedy Revenge’ last year.The ‘underdog’ that became popular on YouTube and the senior comedians who were recruited for the comedy world met.He boldly showed off ‘roasting gags’ (gags that humorously point out the weaknesses or mistakes of the other person)against Lee Kyung-kyu and Park Na-rae and received rave reviews from the senior comedians.As the episodes went on, he naturally blended in with the seniors and even showed off his skills in the skits.

“I thought YouTube experience and stand-up comedy were everything, but that wasn’t the case.When I saw the seniors who were flying and soaring, I thought, ‘Comedy isn’ t just talking, ‘and’ That method is also comedy.’In particular, when senior Moon Se-yoon did an imitation of senior Mirage, it was really funny and I felt like I had absorbed a whole person.It was like watching a piece of art.While working with the seniors, I felt and learned a lot about what public comedy is, what broadcasting is, and why these seniors are here.As I got used to broadcasting, I felt like I was breathing together with them.It was a truly valuable and good experience.”


In this way, the essence of his comedy experience accumulated through Korean Folk Village, offline stand-up comedy stages, and’ Comedy Revenge ‘is put into this performance.You can see Song Ha-bin’s stage at Daejeon Seogu Cultural Center(May 10), Gwangju Seobitmaru Cultural Center(May 11), Busan Kyungsung University Concert Hall(May 17), Daegu Cultural Center Bisul Hall(May 18), and Seoul YES24 Wonderlock Hall(May 24).As this is his first solo nationwide tour in 7 years since his debut, he will have many thoughts.

“This is my first comedy album, where I threw away all the unfunny stuff and made it into an hour-long, funniest story.It’s a new feeling and I feel a great attachment to it.I’m excited and a little nervous.I want to upload it on YouTube soon and show more, but for now, I’m going to focus on the performances and show it later.”

Song Ha-bin also gave some words of advice to the audience who may be expecting an ‘Underworld’ feel.

“I think there will be many people who come after seeing Chunbongi and Cheomji.There are gags for all ages that feel like ‘Underworld’ and an episode with my wife.However, there is also a twist in the latter half of the show that contains Song Ha-bin’s thoughts and imagination.There are also high-level and strong jokes, and there may even be so-called ‘sex jokes.’ Please don’t think only of cute emotions, and I think it would be good if you look forward to what kind of story will come out with an open mind.”

Chunbongi-Cheomji said he wants to show ‘comedian Song Ha-bin’ rather than a father or a butler.He emphasized that his goal for 2025 is to expand the scope of comedy.

“I never thought soccer would help me in life, but I think experiences always come back to me.Thanks to that, I was able to join ‘Let’s Eat Dinner Together.’ I also joined KBS YouTube talk show ‘The Husbands Next Door.’ I want to appear on various entertainment shows in the future.I want to appear on ‘Running Man,’ ‘Knowing Brothers,’ and I’m also waiting for ‘You Quiz on the Block.’ I really want to appear on them.I want to become a comedian and creator who is good at performing, YouTube, comedy, online, and offline.I will live busy without missing out on either.”

Reporter Jeong com -yeon, Donga.com shine2562@donga

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.