Provided by the SBS Plus variety show ‘The Manly Way to Travel’.
Unexpected spending by singer Kim Jong-kook, long known as the entertainment industry’s representative penny-pincher, for his wife is drawing attention.
In a pre-release clip of the SBS Plus variety show ‘The Manly Way to Travel’ unveiled on the 10th, Kim Jong-kook and Choo Sung-hoon were shown stopping by a cafe during their trip to Japan.
As Choo Sung-hoon browsed the bakery, Kim Jong-kook quipped, “Stop eating already,” eliciting laughter. However, while looking over tumblers and mugs displayed in the store, he said, “This is something you can buy only in Japan. I should buy something like this,” showing interest.
Video capture from the YouTube channel ‘The Manly Way to Travel’.
In response, Choo Sung-hoon said, “You should buy a gift for your wife,” and Kim Jong-kook replied, “She does like things like this,” then began earnestly choosing a cup. When the production staff teased him as a “romantic,” Kim Jong-kook, seemingly embarrassed, snapped back, “How am I a romantic?”
Video capture from the YouTube channel ‘The Manly Way to Travel’.
After deliberating over mug designs with the married production staff and Choo Sung-hoon, Kim Jong-kook ultimately purchased two mugs for his wife.
Kim Jong-kook’s spending drew even more attention because he is famous for extreme frugality. On the 2024 MBC variety show ‘Frugal Man,’ he expressed anger at a cast member who used multiple wet wipes, displaying his penny-pinching side. In an episode that aired last month of the KBS2 variety show ‘Problem Children in the Rooftop Room,’ he drew attention by revealing that he washes and reuses wet wipes.
At the time, Kim Jong-kook said, “My wife now also dries wet wipes for reuse,” and added, “I was happily watching her do the dishes when she asked, ‘Did I turn the water on too strong?’” drawing laughter.
Once the video was released, online users reacted, saying, “This is the first time I have seen Kim Jong-kook spend,” “Even a penny-pincher spends in the face of love,” and “It seems like genuine love for his wife.”
