YouTube channel ‘Gonari-ja’

Singer Kim Jang-hoon spoke candidly about his accumulated donations of 20 billion won and the state of his current assets. Regarding ‘Supteut-hoon’, a meme that once mocked him, he remained composed, calling it “the greatest blessing of my life”.

In the video ‘Does Kim Jang-hoon really not regret 20 billion won?’ on the YouTube channel ‘Gonari-ja’, released on the 28th, Kim appeared and underwent a lie detector test before a former police investigator.

The biggest focus that day was undoubtedly Kim Jang-hoon and his ‘donations’. When the investigator asked, “Is it true that you donated 20 billion won? Honestly, do you not feel any regret?”, Kim answered without the slightest hesitation, “I do not regret it at all,” and the lie detector deemed it ‘true’.

YouTube channel ‘Gonari-ja’

Regarding the accumulated donation amount, Kim confided, “It has been over ten years since reporters dug in and came up with the figure of 20 billion. So it should be more now,” adding, “In the early days, I honestly did like being praised and felt I should let people know, but at some point that went away.”

He said the rumor circulating that his entire assets amount to 2 million won is not true. He drew attention by disclosing specific figures: “Not now. It was somewhat distorted, and it is a bit more,” and “The cash I currently have is 1.4 million won in a drawer. I gave the kids 200,000 won each on Children's Day. I currently have 1.4 million won.”

He also shared his thoughts on his alternate persona ‘Supteut-hoon’, which drew buzz online and at times became a target of ridicule. When the investigator asked whether he had ever been scratched (that is, hurt) by malicious or mocking comments, Kim said, “At this point, I do not get scratched,” showing composure.

He recalled, “When I returned from a period of self-reflection and was debating whether to quit music, there was this thing called ‘Supteut-hoon’. At first it was so absurd that I did not even get angry, but thinking it over, out of the countless people in this world, someone was editing and uploading me, and I felt thankful, as they say, ‘bad comments are better than no comments’.” He continued, “Once I set my mind that way, I saw teenage fans going, ‘Huh, this is a bit different?’, and they actually turned into fans. The greatest fortune in my life is Supteut-hoon. I can say without hesitation that it is the biggest blessing.”

Meanwhile, Kim also mentioned that during the 2010 World Cup he donated his entire advertising appearance fee to the Hong Myung-bo Foundation. He said, “I shot an ad at the time, and since the Hong Myung-bo Foundation was the most famous, I donated all the fee I received,” and, seemingly mindful of the recent controversies surrounding the Korea national football team, added with a laugh, “To be honest, did football fans not become disappointed starting with Klinsmann?” and “Lately I enjoy watching track and field rather than football and baseball.”

At the end of the program, Kim made a bold pledge to subscribers. He promised, “If the channel reaches one million subscribers, I will donate 100 million won to where it is truly needed,” eliciting gasps on set. The lie detector also judged this pledge ‘true’, demonstrating the firm resolve of ‘donation angel’ Kim Jang-hoon.