Singer Kim Jong Kook displayed a changed attitude as he personally selected gifts for his wife and mother during a trip to Japan.
The final episode of SBS Plus variety show The Way of the Manly Man in Kyushu Season 1, aired on the 12th, featured Kim Jong Kook and Choo Sung Hoon visiting Tenmonkan, the largest downtown area in Kagoshima, Japan.
Before shopping, the two stopped at a café. Kim Jong Kook said, “Since you bought ramen yesterday, I’ll buy coffee today,” to which Choo Sung Hoon playfully replied, “Since Jong Kook is paying, I’m going to get something expensive,” eliciting laughter.
While waiting for their drinks, Choo Sung Hoon advised Kim Jong Kook, “You should buy a gift for your wife.” Kim Jong Kook then browsed the café’s merchandise section, examining the products.
Pointing to a cup labeled “JAPAN,” Kim Jong Kook explained, “This is something you can only buy in Japan. I should get something like this.” He initially picked up a small espresso cup set, but when Choo Sung Hoon said, “That’s too small,” he quickly switched to two mugs as gifts for his wife.
When the production staff teased him, calling him a romantic, Kim Jong Kook embarrassedly responded, “What do you mean by romantic?” but couldn’t hide his smile.
Later, at a shopping district, Kim Jong Kook also shopped for gifts for his mother. Spotting sleep masks he had been looking for since the first day, he said, “They’re cheaper to buy in Japan, so I’ll get a bunch,” and put several into his basket. Choo Sung Hoon joked, “You could use those for a year,” making everyone laugh.
This episode drew attention to Kim Jong Kook’s change, given his history of frugality. He had previously gained a reputation for thriftiness by sharing on various shows that he reused wet wipes and barely had an electric bill. However, this time, he showed no hesitation in spending on his family, revealing a new atmosphere since his marriage.
Kim Jong Kook married a non-celebrity woman in September last year.