"Struggling with 10 Billion Debt" Then "500 Billion Asset Owner"... Comedian Faces False Broadcast Controversy

Jong-seok Kim Shows 50 Billion Wealth Just One Month After Pleading 10 Billion Debt
"Claims MBN Exaggerated Some Content"
MBN "Acknowledges Misunderstanding... Apologizes for Inconvenience"

Comedian Kim Jong-seok, known as the "Ttukttak-i Dad."
[Photo by EBS]

Comedian Kim Jong-seok (65), known as the 'Ttukttak-i Dad,' sparked controversy over a 'false broadcast' after suddenly flaunting assets worth 50 billion won just a month after confessing to debts in the 10 billion won range. Kim Jong-seok explained that the MBN side "exaggerated and staged" the content, and MBN also admitted that "there was room for misunderstanding."

On the 20th, Kim Jong-seok appeared on MBN's 'Human Documentary: If You Live' and revealed that he operates three large cafes in Hanam City and Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. He explained that the real estate alone is worth 30 billion won, with total assets amounting to 50 billion won.

However, earlier on the 12th of last month, Kim Jong-seok had appealed on MBN's 'Exclusive World' that he had debts in the 10 billion won range. At that time, Kim said he sold his house in Gangnam due to debt and that his family members were living apart, evoking sympathy. He said, "It became an unbearable situation," and "The interest I have to pay monthly is 60 million won. Even if I work hard, the debt hardly decreases."

Kim Jong-seok: "The broadcast content was exaggerated... The production team even disguised a motel as my residence"

Comedian Kim Jong-seok.
[Photo by MBN, captured from the video 'Sanoramyeon']

In response to the 'false broadcast' suspicions, Kim Jong-seok explained in an interview with 'The Fact' that "some parts of the 'Exclusive World' broadcast were exaggerated and staged." He stated, "The 10 billion won debt is only 20% of my assets, and the shabby lodging shown in the broadcast was a place prepared by the production team." He owns an apartment in Seocho-dong, and the production team had booked a shabby motel in advance and disguised it as his residence.

On the 21st, MBN admitted the suspicions, saying, "There was room for misunderstanding in the content of the September 12 broadcast 'Exclusive World' featuring Kim Jong-seok," and "We supplemented the coverage and broadcast the content through the 'If You Live' aired on the 20th." They added, "To provide accurate information, we have deleted the problematic 'Exclusive World' replay service," and apologized, saying, "We are sorry for causing inconvenience to viewers."