Kim Kook Heon, a former member of the group MYTEEN, is gaining attention after appearing on the premiere of ENA's variety show 'Chef Paik & Les Miserables,' which aired on November 30.
During the broadcast, Kim Kook Heon openly shared his past and present experiences, moving viewers with his candid story.
Introducing himself as "a failed former idol and currently unemployed 28-year-old Kim Kook Heon," he described his bittersweet reality with a touch of humor.
Kim Kook Heon debuted in 2017 as part of the boy group MYTEEN, but their activities ended briefly without gaining much public attention. Later, in 2019, he participated in Mnet’s survival audition show 'Produce X 101,' but was eliminated before the final round.
Recalling that time, Kim Kook Heon confessed, "I thought life as a celebrity would unfold after debuting, but there was shockingly little interest in us." He added, "The company wanted to promote us quickly, so we joined the survival program. I also wanted to seize that opportunity."
During his time on 'Produce X 101', Kim Kook Heon along with fellow MYTEEN member Song Yu Bin, stood out with their impressive physiques, sharp features, and exceptional skills, consistently ranking in the top tiers. Most viewers expected him to make it to the finals without issue, but his unexpected elimination during the third-ranking announcement shocked everyone.
In November 2020, it was revealed that Kim Kook Heon was a victim of vote manipulation on Produce X 101, leading to his unjust elimination. He opened up about the significant psychological toll it took on him, admitting, "I once opened a car door on the highway, intending to jump out. It’s a painful memory that made me truly want to end my life."
During this dark period, he was deeply inspired by the phrase "reset your life," spoken by Baek Jong Won in an advertisement. This phrase reignited his passion, ultimately leading him to decide to appear on 'Chef Paik & Les Miserables.'
After MYTEEN disbanded, Kim Kook Heon and Song Yu Bin continued as the unit group B.O.Y. In 2021, Kim Kook Heon participated in TV Chosun’s 'Tomorrow's National Singer,' but faced disappointment with an early elimination. Later, he and Song Yu Bin started a YouTube channel 'hzipbzip,' exploring new content ideas.
Meanwhile, 'Chef Paik & Les Miserables,' is a show where 20 challengers undertake various missions led by Baek Jong Won to achieve life-changing transformations through cooking. The program airs every Saturday at 8:30 PM.
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