When the Chung-Ang Herald interviewed Kang Seong-bum in the MBC Yangpyeong studio, he looked very tired because his little baby had cried all night. However, his smiling face remained with happiness because he became a baby's father who has a sense of responsibility. During this interview, CAH could know that he is not only a man of wit as he was shown on TV,  but also really quite human in daily life.

-Kang as a senior in the CAU theatre department

 Surprisingly, because his dream of youth was to become a comic actor, he applied for the CAU theatre department in 1993, and he acted as an actor at that time. After becoming a comedian, he still had an interest in drama, and this semester, he attends the CAU theatre department to earn credits. "Among the area of the major, drama production is worth as much as it is difficult to me specially." Kang said.

 For a while, he wanted to give up his major, as he was tired of attending school while working as a comedian. Then many professors and other people encouraged him to do his best, and he could overcome the situation. "Whenever I was absent for a  class because of broadcasting, professors gave me supplementary lessons personally instead of attending class." He added that he sincerely thanks the professors who encouraged him each time; especially Prof. Choi Chi-lim and Prof. Lee Won-gi.

 Nowadays, he attend school with freshmen who are much younger. "Sometimes there is an alienated something in student manners toward me. Maybe it is because I am much older than them, but I am willing to have a lunch with young students for assimilating with them" said Kang.

-Kang's endless affection for comedy

 In 1996, Kang made his debut as a 5th comedian on SBS. However, until 2002, he had been an unknown comedian. "During that time, it was the hardest period for me, but I didn't give up on being a comedian who could make the public laugh. Most of all, I wanted people to be happy. Thus I tried and tried to practice for a creative comedy. I used to go to the practice room at 10:00 pm where it closed at 12:00 pm with bread and milk to practice all-night" Kang recalled.

 In 2002, a character, sooda-man (a talkative man) made him from obscurity to fame, and his name became more known to the public through the character yanbian-chongack (a bachelor caming from yanbian). "Every character like sooda-man, yanbian-changack, luxury-kang is my alter ego. Many people think that making these characters is easy with short time, but it is not true. I made almost 30 characters for only one creative character. Namely, it takes a lot of time to create a special character which can give the public great pleasure."

 Also, he said that being a comedian is the happiest job because he can give happiness to the public, equally, by making them laugh. A comedian should create and practice many items ceaselessly.

 "Although a new comedian may be my rival, I hope that many new comedians appear. It is a necessary condition to make a part of comedy be more active than now" said Kang when the CAH asked him about the many new comedians these days. His affection for junior comedians was seen during making a shot. He taught a new comedian who acted for the first time with him, about making a funny scene. "I am feeling good when I hear that my junior wants to be a gagman like me." Kang stated.

 Nowadays. there are many ugly cases in the part of gags. “Those problems have always existed. I also experienced, and many people might predicted that those problems would bring out a big accident like now. Current accidents are natural results. However, we should find out how to deal with those problems in order to prevent them in advance.” Kang stated.

-Kang's  episodes in his life

 "There were many episodes when I acted as a master of the radio program 'singsinghan noon' (happy FM) with Lee Young-ja. One day I had to come back to Korea from abroad hurriedly in order to act as a master of radio program. However, the plane couldn't take off because of a natural disaster." Kang continued. "The most memorable event is this. When I had a bad attack of diarrhoea which couldn't be treated by any medicine, I couldn't help taking a long hard time in the toilet. This situation grew worse, and finally I couldn't go to act as a master of radio, so the live radio program started only with music without any opening line." Kang stated.

-Kang as the head of a family

 Kang described his wife in the following way: 'A cluster of roses bloomed in the ruins.' This expression is very suitable. When he failed in his business, pojangmacha (a sort of food restaurant) for a while, he met his wife who was a good customer of his store. Although then he had undergone a bitter trial, he could come in contact with a suitable wife as a well-matched couple. "At that time she was a great comfort to me. I could achieve a peace of mind quickly because of her." Laughing, he added "One day I wept after drinking after something bad happened. The next day, she sent a letter written with smooth words to the radio program, which I had undertaken in former days."

 Kang had been in love with her for nearly 2 years. "I have been grateful that she understood my busy schedule. At that time, we couldn't meet as frequently as other couples. Also, we had to meet at night or indoors as I was a public person. I was very sorry about that." said Kang.

 However, he does his best for her. Almost every time of rest, he spoke on the telephone with her. Furthermore, he made breaks in his busy schedule only for her. As a result, they made a love match on October 24th, 2004. With smiling Kang said frankly, "I planned to propose marriage after knowing my wife's pregnancy."

 Recently, he finally became a father. His little daughter let him work harder and with more happiness than before. "Maybe I am the happiest person in the world. Now I became a little baby's father, and a good person's husband. Therefore, I want to be a nice father for my daughter, and a nice husband for my wife. It is my current dream."

-To CAU students

 Kang left a message to CAU students. "At least, students should study their major very hard and plan their goal to achieve success. Sometimes I  had wanted to give up my major forever. Now I think that it was very foolish. I realized this point very late, so I hope that CAU students will not do this foolish thing like me. Study your major with endless passion." These days Kang himself is attending classes well and is doing his best in the CAU theatre department.

-Kang as really quite human

 CAH could know easily that Kang Seong-bum is a man who makes people happy within his happiness. Although he has a lot of hard work ahead, he coped admirably with this situation, Thanks to his passion.

 As Helen Keller mentioned. "Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it."



Photographs and article
by Jung Ri-na
News reporter

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