Kyuwon 'Q' Kim finds success via SNL Korea after failing KBS recruitment

Comedian Kyuwon 'Q' Kim will reveal his past of failing the KBS open recruitment comedian exam. Although he faced disappointment at the traditional gateway of broadcaster recruitment, his career is being spotlighted as he built his presence through public comedy and online content in his own way. In particular, interest is drawing toward the unexpected side of a comedian who made laughter his profession, as heartwarming stories have emerged about how he personally washed the underwear of a student with disabilities after a bathroom accident while serving as a social service agent.

In the MBC variety program "Where Is My Home" airing on the 20th, Kim Dae-ho, comedian Kim Ji-yoo, and Kyuwon 'Q' Kim will head out on a real estate tour to find so-called "houses embracing mountains" in downtown Seoul, where one can enjoy proximity to mountains and valleys.

In this episode, the highlight comes before the real estate talk with a conversation regarding "comedian legitimacy." The traditional way of entering the Korean comedy industry, which was centered around terrestrial open recruitment, is naturally contrasted with recent debut paths that have diversified through public comedy, YouTube, and OTT platforms.

Kim Ji-yoo reveals her experience of applying for comedian exams as many as four times. Kyuwon 'Q' Kim also discloses that he challenged the 32nd KBS open recruitment comedian exam but ultimately did not pass. It is known that comedian Um Ji Yoon also applied for the same exam at that time.

Failing the open recruitment exam was not the end for Kyuwon 'Q' Kim. Rather, his subsequent steps serve as an example showing that modern comedians do not necessarily need to grow only through the open recruitment systems of specific broadcasting stations.

After officially making a name for himself through tvN's "Comedy Big League" in 2023, Kyuwon 'Q' Kim increased his public recognition through platforms like Coupang Play's "SNL Korea." In particular, rather than staying confined to a single fixed character, he expanded his comedic spectrum by portraying various alter egos and situational skits.

In this episode of "Where Is My Home," he is expected to showcase his unique comedic sense by switching between various characters he has previously presented, from a dermatology clinic manager to "Bae-jazz."

His journey symbolically demonstrates the recent changes in the Korean entertainment industry, where a person who could not pass the institutional gateway of open recruitment instead created their own color by using the diversification of platforms as a stepping stone.

Kyuwon 'Q' Kim's past cannot be explained solely by his exam failure. Recently, he garnered attention in another sense as heartwarming stories from his time serving as a social service agent became known.

It is an anecdote where Kyuwon 'Q' Kim, working as a social service agent at an elementary school at the time, personally washed the underwear of a student with disabilities who had an accident. This daily action of not turning away from someone else's difficult situation was revealed belatedly, showing a side completely different from the professional image of a comedian who creates laughter on screen.

While comedy is a genre that converts others' weaknesses into laughter, the sensibility a good comedian should possess is also revealed in how they view the vulnerability of others. The reason this anecdote of Kyuwon 'Q' Kim catches the eye goes beyond the dimension of simply being a "good deed." It is because, in a situation that would have been shameful and something to hide for someone, he quietly handled the matter without making it an issue or turning it into a joke.

When looking at his failure in the open recruitment exam, his subsequent success, and the heartwarming stories known from off-camera, Kyuwon 'Q' Kim's career has a surprisingly clear direction. It suggests that just because one is not recognized on a set path, there is no need to deny one's own potential.

In the Korean comedy industry, terrestrial open recruitment served as the official gateway for rookie comedians for a long time. The typical growth path involved being selected by a broadcaster, creating characters on public comedy stages, and making a name for oneself through programs. However, as terrestrial public comedy programs have shrunk and OTT, YouTube, and short-form content have grown rapidly, this order has been quickly reorganized.

Kyuwon 'Q' Kim's case is also connected to this change. Although he did not pass through the traditional door of KBS open recruitment, he proved his competitiveness on other stages. In particular, programs like "SNL Korea" require comedic capabilities beyond simple laughter, as they simultaneously demand acting, satire, vocal impressions, character building, and the ability to respond to improvised situations.

Another axis of this broadcast is the residential space in Seoul. Kim Dae-ho will explore a property he discovered near the foot of Bukaksan Mountain before the others join him. The village alleys leading to the house feature the waters of Baeksasil Valley, offering a rare natural landscape in the heart of Seoul.

Kim Dae-ho will hear stories about the name of Baeksasil Valley from a passing citizen, and in the studio, he will present an impromptu history quiz to Yang Se-hyung, who holds a Level 1 Korean History Proficiency Test, creating a blend of real estate, history, and variety entertainment.

The property in question is introduced with a sale price of 200 million won. Given its prime location in downtown Seoul and its proximity to mountains and valleys, Kim Dae-ho exclaims, "It feels like I'm at a villa in Gangwon-do." The reasons why such a property is priced relatively low will be revealed during the broadcast.

Ultimately, the story Kyuwon 'Q' Kim tells on "Where Is My Home" goes beyond simple house hunting. It captures the journey of a rookie who once failed recruitment exams, found his own path through diverse platforms, and a man who quietly helped others in their most difficult moments off-camera, now stepping into the spotlight to build his own character.

Laughter is not achieved by talent alone. It requires the patience to stand on stage for a long time, the strength to endure failure, and the ability to observe people. Attention is focused on how Kyuwon 'Q' Kim, who did not stop his journey after a single failure at the KBS recruitment, will establish himself as a comedian through public comedy and OTT platforms.

In the upcoming episode of "Where Is My Home" airing on the 20th, Kyuwon 'Q' Kim and Kim Ji-yoo will join Kim Dae-ho to search for "houses embracing mountains" in downtown Seoul. The episode will reveal not only the prices and locations of the homes but also Kyuwon 'Q' Kim's history of failed recruitment, his various alter egos, and stories surrounding his past.