Sam Kim: 'My colleagues joked I should take a pay cut because I don't talk much'

Star chef Sam Kim brought laughter to the screen by candidly opening up about his quiet personality, noting that he rarely speaks much during broadcasts.

Specifically, he drew attention by revealing that during his time on the JTBC variety show 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator,' his fellow chefs jokingly suggested that since he speaks so little, he should perhaps receive a lower appearance fee.

During the broadcast of the tvN variety program 'You Quiz on the Block' aired on the 26th, Sam Kim appeared to share stories with the host, Yoo Jae-suk.

Upon seeing Sam Kim, Yoo Jae-suk immediately remarked, "Doesn't it look like you are an introvert no matter how you look at it?" Sam Kim nodded in agreement, admitting, "I am still feeling nervous even now.".

When asked why he still feels nervous despite having significant broadcasting experience, Sam Kim replied, "It's just my personality, so it doesn't get any better." He explained that adapting to the unfamiliar environment of a broadcast is a separate matter from his innate nature.

In fact, his quiet personality has somehow become a distinct character trait. "Many introverts ask me how I overcame it," Sam Kim said. "Even customers who visit our restaurant tell me as they leave after their meal that I am the 'hope for introverts.'"

Yoo Jae-suk responded by laughing and calling him the "star of introverts."

The discussion surrounding Sam Kim's introverted nature led back to 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator.' Yoo Jae-suk mentioned that in the program where star chefs engage in cooking battles, Sam Kim is relatively quiet, and asked, "I heard the other chefs said you should take a lower appearance fee since you don't talk much on 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator'?"

Rather than outright denying it, Sam Kim elicited laughter by indirectly revealing the names of his colleagues.

"I can't say exactly who, but besides Kim Pung, there is also a Mr. Choi," he said, adding, "They always say things like that. That it's unfair." He was essentially pointing to Kim Pung and Choi Hyun-seok, who appeared on the program with him.

He then added, "So I am trying hard to talk more," which once again turned the studio into a sea of laughter.

The reason Sam Kim's remarks are so entertaining lies in the fact that 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' is not merely a program that tests cooking skills, but content where the chefs' characters, wit, and variety-style interactions work together. Amidst performers who stand out with flamboyant speech and exaggerated reactions, Sam Kim's relatively calm demeanor creates a unique contrast.

In practice, Sam Kim has maintained a characteristic calm tone and serious attitude while focusing on the cooking process during broadcasts. Instead of the exaggerated self-expression often required in variety shows, he has built his presence through his own pace and method.

Public perception of his personality has also shifted from the past. While performers who spoke actively and led the atmosphere were relatively more prominent in past broadcasts, recently, individuals who show themselves naturally without forcing a change in their temperament also possess a form of competitive edge as content.

This is the same context in which the nickname "hope for introverts" was given to Sam Kim. Rather than viewing introversion as a flaw to be overcome, his appearance before the public and on broadcasts while accepting his nature has formed a sense of empathy with the audience.

Just as he finely adjusts the ingredients and the intensity of the fire in cooking, Sam Kim's attitude of not pushing his way of expression too aggressively in broadcasting is creating a unique color for him.

With the composure to accept even his colleagues' jokes about cutting his pay due to his quietness as a source of humor, Sam Kim demonstrated on this day his qualities as a star chef who can turn even his personality into a distinct individuality.