[People in the News] From 'Comedian' to 'National Athlete'... The Transformation of Kim Min-kyung Who Said "I Hate Exercise"

Kim Min-kyung practicing shooting. / Screenshot from the YouTube channel 'Matitneun Nyeoseokdeul' video

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Comedian Kim Minkyeong will compete in an international shooting competition wearing the 'Taeguk mark.' It is known that she has steadily built her skills through continuous effort and training to become a national representative based on her innate athletic ability, drawing attention. What began as entertainment for fun is now creating a 'drama' that surpasses limits.

The shooting competition Kim Minkyeong will participate in is the '2022 International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Handgun World Shoot,' held in Thailand starting on the 19th. It is an IPSC Level 5 shooting competition with about 1,600 participants from over 100 countries, known as the largest event of its kind worldwide. Kim Minkyeong passed the Level 4 qualification test conducted by the Korea Practical Shooting Federation last June and was selected as a final member through the national team selection competition competing against domestic players.

Long Theater Life, Peak Period as 'Undongddung' after KBS Open Recruitment Debut

Kim Minkyeong did not originally have a connection with sports. She moved to Seoul from her hometown Daegu in 2001 after graduating from university to pursue her dream of becoming a comedian. After long street performances and theater troupe life, she debuted as a comedian through KBS's 23rd open recruitment in 2008. She gained recognition appearing on 'Gag Concert,' and in 2015, she began to attract attention by joining the mukbang (eating broadcast) concept entertainment show 'Delicious Guys.' Then, she reached her peak with the sports entertainment show derived from 'Delicious Guys,' 'Forced to Do It! From Today, Undongddung (Exercise Chubby).'

The idea that people with large builds cannot exercise was a prejudice. On Undongddung, Kim Minkyeong showed exceptional athletic ability like a 'fish in water.' She mastered various sports such as golf, baseball, soccer, ice hockey, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and fencing, especially standing out in shooting.

Kim Minkyeong is known to have good physical conditions and strength, as well as excellent understanding of sports. In episode 63 of Undongddung, released just a year ago in June last year, Kim Minkyeong is shown visiting a shooting range for the first time and learning to shoot. Even then, she surprised those around her by hitting the target with a stable posture that was hard to believe was from a first-time shooter. Her outstanding athletic ability became a hot topic, earning her nicknames such as 'General Minkyeong,' 'Talent Missed by Taereung,' and 'Muscle Spoon (person with a lot of muscle).'

Comedian Kim Min-kyung selected as a national shooting team member./IHQ

From 'Undongddung' to 'National Representative'... "I Won't Give Up Until the End," Praised by Experts

Kim Minkyeong did not originally like sports. As the program title 'Forced to Do It' suggests, Kim Minkyeong has revealed in several media interviews that "I really hated exercising." She said she had no idea she was talented in sports before starting Undongddung. She began exercising purely by chance through entertainment.

However, once she started exercising, Kim Minkyeong quickly mastered any sport. When experts came to teach basic movements, postures, and rules, she would practice a few times and perform them smoothly. She had excellent understanding of sports rules and was adept at responding and adapting to situations even without being told.

Along with her natural strength, her mindset of never giving up and competitive spirit were the driving forces behind her rapid improvement. In the baseball episode of Undongddung released in November 2020, commentator Lee Byunghun and Doosan Bears pitcher Yoo Heegwan evaluated Kim Minkyeong's baseball training by saying, "She trains like a pro. Her defense is stable and she has solid fundamentals," and "Even if she misses the ball, she never gives up. Her attitude toward baseball is serious."

Kim Minkyeong is said to be approaching the shooting competition with a serious attitude. In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyunjung's News Show' on the 15th, she said, "I often thought, 'When will I ever be able to do this? Will I ever be able to participate in such a big competition?'" and added, "Since I decided to do it, I practiced a lot whenever I had time after work with the mindset of 'I have to do well.'"

She continued, "Rather, I think it is a great fortune that an opportunity to start sports was created for me, so I am gathering my mind and working hard," and said, "After focusing on shooting, I will return to being a comedian."