Kim Dong-wan, a member of the group Shinhwa and actor, addressed the controversy surrounding his declaration to refuse variety show appearances and offered sincere advice to aspiring entertainers.
On the 14th, Kim Dong-wan posted a long message on his social media. He reflected on his early experiences in the entertainment industry, sharing, “When you first enter the entertainment industry in Japan to become an actor, they test your sincerity by making you do cleaning and odd jobs. Even when taking on minor roles, it was standard to do your own makeup and carry your clothes to the set without a manager or stylist.”
He recalled a memorable statement from a newcomer who said, “I even want to do that,” and emphasized, “Despite numerous articles and both negative and positive reactions to my declaration to refuse variety shows, this statement stuck in my mind the most. In the beginning, you must do whatever it takes. You have to show yourself. You can’t just expect shortcuts or luck. Dreams won’t come true by merely dreaming without action.”
Kim Dong-wan also mentioned the reason he previously refused appearances on variety shows. He confessed, “I said no to variety show offers because it becomes too ‘comfortable.’ You earn quite a decent amount of money by just performing a few trivial acts, and before you know it, you might find yourself drifting away from your main career. That’s a really scary thought for people dreaming of being singers or actors.”
He continued, “During the pandemic, because I wasn’t vaccinated, I missed out on a lot of opportunities. Just when I thought I became an entertainer again through drama, many comfortable offers started flooding in. As a one-man entertainment company, I thought it was time to make my own decisions. Looking back now, I think my approach was wrong. So many people are lining up to get on air, and here I am making such presumptuous remarks…”
Kim Dong-wan concluded by sending a warm message of encouragement to those preparing to enter the entertainment industry, saying, “To those dreaming of acting and singing, I hope there’s no misunderstanding. Do anything. Prepare while doing whatever you can. When you feel like giving up, that’s when opportunities come.”
Earlier, on the 4th, Kim Dong-wan had expressed on his social media, “I wish they would stop offering me appearances on variety shows. I don’t have the confidence to be funny, nor do I want to discuss personal stories in front of the public.” He further stated, “Digging into the past only leaves scars on me. Can’t I just quietly live while pretending to be happy and successful? I wish they would just leave me alone.”
This sparked mixed reactions from netizens. Some criticized him, saying, “Isn’t it natural for entertainers to show themselves to the public?”, “You’ll realize when all work stops.” They referenced comments made by Yoo Jae-suk on a broadcast in the past. On the other hand, other netizens showed support, interpreting his stance as a testament to his commitment to acting, saying, “Doesn’t this mean he’s truly passionate about acting?”, “We should respect his honest opinion.” They expressed support and a sense of fatigue over the controversy.
[Photo] OSEN DB, Kim Dong-wan SNS