Kian84 reveals frugal lifestyle, using same dress shoes for 7 years

Webtoon artist turned entertainer Kian84 has revealed a frugal lifestyle that stands in stark contrast to his significant wealth. During a recent broadcast, he was shown maintaining just a single pair of dress shoes, which he has used for formal occasions such as family events or award ceremonies for several years.

During the MBC entertainment program 'I Live Alone' aired on the 28th, Kian84 set out to care for his shoes. "I have exactly one pair of dress shoes that I wear when going to family events or award ceremonies," he said. "It's been 7 years, and I think the color has faded."

Choosing to repair his existing shoes instead of purchasing new ones was a decision quintessential to Kian84. While examining the worn-down heel to consider repairs, he began to polish the old shoes using shoe polish.

What particularly caught attention was his so-called 'fire polishing' method. After applying shoe polish, Kian84 used a lighter to lightly heat the surface of the shoe. Seeing this, Kim Shin-young expressed concern, asking, "Aren't you burning that?" However, Kian84 explained his shoe care method, stating it was something he learned during his military service.

"The thing I learned in the military is fire polishing. It felt like the shine came alive more when you use fire," he explained, adding that if you apply water to the shoes and rub them again, you can even achieve a so-called 'water glow.'

Kian84 spent about an hour tending to the shoes. Beyond simply cleaning them, he meticulously inspected the condition of the old item and attempted to restore it himself. "I've worn these for nearly 10 years," he said, expressing his attachment to the shoes that have been with him for a long time, adding, "I should give them a good polish."

On the show, Kian84 has previously demonstrated a lifestyle of not easily discarding belongings on several occasions. Recently, while revealing a changed daily routine compared to the past—such as cooking for himself and saving leftovers—he still maintains a way of life that reduces unnecessary consumption and makes maximum use of existing items.

This image aligns with the persona Kian84 has built through broadcasting. After gaining fame through webtoons like 'Fashion King' and 'Bokhakwang,' he expanded his career into variety shows, building public recognition through his unique lifestyle and unpretentious behavior. In particular, the fact that his spending habits do not seem to have changed significantly despite his economic success serves as a major element in forming his variety show character.

However, it is difficult to specify based solely on his broadcast remarks whether Kian84's shoes have actually been used for 10 years, or what the exact difference between the 7 and 10 years mentioned on the show signifies. The important point is that rather than replacing the shoes he has used for a long time with new products, he sought to repair them and wear them again.

In an era where expensive consumer goods are rapidly replaced, Kian84's method of reviving the value of old items can be read as an unexpected life philosophy. It demonstrates that economic abundance does not necessarily correlate with the scale of consumption, while simultaneously showing that the act of spending time to bring a familiar object back to a usable state can itself become a lifestyle habit.

Kian84 spent nearly an hour on the shoes that have stayed by his side for years. Rather than the title of 'building owner,' the sight of him cherishing a single pair of worn-out shoes revealed his daily life even more vividly.