[Interview②] Im Ha-ryong on 'Gag Concert' Hiatus: "Hope Juniors Showcase Their Talents in Various Fields"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Im Ha-ryong offered advice to juniors regarding the 21-year-long comedy pride show ‘Gag Concert’ taking a break.

Im Ha-ryong recently shared various stories in an interview with our publication at a cafe in Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the musical ‘Broadway 42nd Street’ opening.

In 1981, Im Ha-ryong debuted as a comedian through KBS’s ‘Joyful Saturday,’ and was active as one of the four kings of KBS comedy alongside Shim Hyung-rae, Choi Yang-rak, and the late Kim Hyung-gon. He led the legendary ‘Gag Concert’ corner ‘Bongsunga Academy’ as the teacher and appeared until the end of 2000. After being advised to leave, he began another challenge by turning his attention to Chungmuro. In director Jang Jin’s film ‘Welcome to Dongmakgol’ (2005), he expanded his range with a vivid performance as North Korean soldier sergeant Jang Young-hee. He has been passionately active across various genres including dramas, films, and performances.

Reflecting on his debut, Im Ha-ryong said, “I was impatient. I was thirty and thought I was very old. But even at fifty or sixty, there are many things you can start anew. Of course, when you’re young, you have to live fiercely. I had to make a living when I was young. It wasn’t easy, and seniors didn’t understand. But now I think I understand their feelings a bit. As you get older, your mind doesn’t work as fast and your reflexes decline. You have to experience things to understand, and there are things you feel as you age.”

He added, “At that time, there weren’t many seniors. Senior Jeon Yu-seong introduced me to broadcasting and helped me become a comedian. I was also greatly influenced by senior Kim Hak-rae. I am thankful in that regard.”

Tracing his entry process, Im Ha-ryong mentioned the hiatus of ‘Gag Concert.’ KBS2’s ‘Gag Concert’ started in 1999 and entered a break in 2020. There were many voices in the comedy world lamenting the disappearance of a program that had preserved history and tradition.

“Even 20 years ago, there was nowhere for comedians to stand except for ‘Gag Concert.’ That’s why I challenged myself with various acting fields like theater and musicals. If you only lament ‘why did it disappear,’ you might not be able to do anything. I’m saying to challenge other fields. When I first tried movies, I was given roles with strong comedic elements. Acting in various fields expands relationships and allows you to demonstrate your abilities in diverse ways.”

Im Ha-ryong continued, “With ‘Gag Concert’ discontinued, juniors lost their stage. I want to advise juniors not to think of other paths as something forced, but to turn their eyes to movies, musicals, or dramas. Don’t cling only to skit comedy; expanding your scope is also a good method. It’s just that there aren’t many broadcast comedies for a while, but I want to encourage them not to lose courage and to challenge themselves.”

He added, “You shouldn’t think that challenging something else is difficult. To use an analogy, it’s like switching from rice farming to field farming. It’s not like suddenly telling you to go fish in the sea. I hope people think of it comfortably like that.”

When asked about the source of inspiration for his 40 years of creative activity, Im Ha-ryong said, “‘The Backpack of Memories’ contains autobiographical stories. I personally titled it and created the content. Creative work is really fun. Dramas and movies have scripts or screenplays, so you have to try to add your own color within them. The work where I pour only my inspiration is through skits or painting activities,” he began. He continued, “What’s the point of resting? Isn’t it boring? What’s the point of resting at home? Recently, I fulfilled another dream. I started painting and even held an exhibition. When I was young, I received a lot of praise for drawing or crafts. Although it was a short time, many people around me praised me, so I gathered courage and tried it. Ideas keep springing up continuously,” he said.