ZICO challenges Kim Jong-kook to vocabulary battle during Taiwan trip

During the third episode of "A Man's Way to Travel in Taiwan" aired on the 20th, ZICO proposed a vocabulary battle to Kim Jong-kook following criticisms regarding the youngest member's word choices. The three men, including Choo Sung-hoon, later cheered together as the South Korea national football team scored a comeback goal.

Singer ZICO launched a counterattack against his senior Kim Jong-kook, who is 16 years his senior, following a series of continuous criticisms. What began as playful bickering escalated into a proposal for a vocabulary battle, drawing laughter from the group as the youngest member finally challenged the seniors he usually accommodates. The unexpected tension arose between the strict fitness enthusiast Kim Jong-kook and the outspoken ZICO.

In the third episode of "A Man's Way to Travel in Taiwan," which aired on the 20th on SBS Plus and MBN, Choo Sung-hoon, Kim Jong-kook, and ZICO were shown bickering over trivial matters while enjoying their trip in Taiwan. Despite the 16-year age gap between Kim Jong-kook (born 1976) and ZICO (born 1992), the jokes exchanged between them added enjoyment to the trip, seemingly ignoring their age difference.

The three individuals enjoyed a meal while watching a South Korea national football team match at their accommodation. Immersed in the game, Kim Jong-kook had a difference of opinion with Choo Sung-hoon regarding the way to eat bibimmyeon. The dispute, which started from minor eating habits, soon extended to ZICO as Kim Jong-kook repeatedly criticized the vocabulary used by the youngest member.

ZICO, who initially accepted the seniors' teasing, did not remain passive. After attempting a small revenge using a duck egg, he eventually retorted, "Shall we have a vocabulary battle?" This was a direct challenge to a senior 16 years his senior. ZICO's counterattack, responding with wit rather than being suppressed by Kim Jong-kook's continuous criticisms, drew laughter.

The tension between the three ended naturally in front of the football match. When the South Korea national football team scored a comeback goal, they cheered in unison as if they had never argued. Their excitement grew as they watched the match, especially since a "saejeom" fortune-telling experience earlier in Taiwan had predicted that a helpful person would appear and lead to victory. The sight of the three bickering individuals becoming one through football was also noteworthy.

During the trip, Choo Sung-hoon visited a local neighborhood hair salon for a shampoo and scalp massage. Although his new hairstyle initially seemed a bit awkward, he expressed satisfaction when local citizens repeatedly requested to take photos with him. He joked, "I'm popular with the ladies these days," providing more laughter. Contrary to his strong image as a martial artist, he showed a down-to-earth side enjoying local popularity.

The joking continued even inside the car. When Kim Jong-kook took his seatbelt, Choo Sung-hoon warned him, "Behave well from now on," to which ZICO added support for Choo Sung-hoon by saying, "He was being authoritative." ZICO, who had previously been criticized by Kim Jong-kook for his vocabulary, took the lead in the atmosphere by targeting Kim Jong-kook alongside Choo Sung-hoon. The relationship between the three, exchanging jokes over even minor actions, became another highlight of the trip.

Serious conversations emerged amidst the pleasant teasing. Choo Sung-hoon, who is approaching retirement, told ZICO, "I can never forget the feeling that comes up at the moment of winning." He explained the meaning of victory to him, having challenged martial arts for a long time. Even amidst a trip filled with light bickering and laughter, the sincerity of a senior who has been in one field for many years was evident.

From the vocabulary tension between ZICO and Kim Jong-kook that transcended a 16-year age gap to Choo Sung-hoon's honest life stories, the three men's trip to Taiwan showed the fun created by their different personalities and relationships. In particular, ZICO's remark calling for a "vocabulary battle" against his seniors remained a highlight of the broadcast.

Read the original (Korean)