Taesaja's Kim Hyung-jun "Top Admission to HUFS French Department... Scholarship Revoked Due to Academic Warning"

On the broadcast aired on the 1st, Kim Hyung-jun appeared on MBC Every1's entertainment program 'Korean Foreigners' and revealed that he was admitted as the top student to the French Department at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Photo by MBC Every1, screenshot from 'Korean Foreigners' broadcast

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Kim Hyung-jun, former member of the group Taesaja, announced that he was admitted as the top student to the Department of French Language and Literature at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

On the 1st, Kim Hyung-jun appeared on MBC Every1’s entertainment program 'Korean Foreigners' along with Park Joon-seok, Kim Seung-hyun, and Choi Jae-woo.

During the broadcast, Kim Hyung-jun said, "Taesaja debuted in 1997, and I received many gifts from fans. Among them, a special one was a contract for a convertible car from German company P. It was so expensive that I couldn’t accept it and politely declined."

Then, host Kim Yong-man asked, "Are you regretting it now, wishing you had accepted it?" which brought laughter.

Kim Hyung-jun recalled, "Our popularity surged with the third album. After growing my hair, my popularity skyrocketed. I was born in 1978, and a friend collected 78 coins and drew pictures on the heads of the coins for me. I was very grateful."

He also said, "In 1997, I worked as a model for a clothing jeans brand. I was in the generation after top actors Song Seung-heon and So Ji-sub. One fan said their dream was to become an entertainment reporter and later wanted to interview me. They fulfilled their dream, became a reporter, and came to interview me."

Following this, Kim Yong-man revealed Kim Hyung-jun’s academic background.

Kim Yong-man said, "(Kim Hyung-jun) is a senior to Eva. He graduated from the Department of French Language and Literature at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. I know he was a good student."

In response, Kim Hyung-jun explained, "Saying I’m from the Department of French Language and Literature at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies is a brief introduction. I received a full scholarship for four years. I was admitted as the top student in the department and received a full scholarship, but I got an academic warning in the first semester of my freshman year and lost the eligibility. I received 2,136,000 won but didn’t get the rest. My older brother graduated from S University and is a professor."

He continued, "We held a concert in 1999 ahead of the millennium. We are preparing a Taesaja concert after 21 years."

Later, Kim Hyung-jun answered correctly on the show and became the 26th champion.

He shared his thoughts, saying, "When I started as an entertainer, I neglected my studies and felt a bit sorry toward my parents. I’m happy to have accomplished something significant."