His popularity increased mainly because of his appearance in various variety shows. He became a permanent member of many hit variety shows, from X-Man, Family Outing, and Running Man to My Ugly Duckling. He has a good personality and a highly competitive character that is suited to almost every variety show. Kim Jong Kook’s character, personality, and physique make him a favorite with female celebrities. He was paired with beautiful guests or cast members in variety shows and those pairings often produced great chemistry and made for memorable episodes. In this article, we will find out about his love life and rumored relationships with several Korean celebrities. Keep reading to know more about Kim Jong-kook’s love life in this article from Channel-Korea. Stay tuned!
Kim Jong-kook’s Love Life and Rumored Relationships
At the peak of his popularity, he was a talented singer, songwriter, and ubiquitous TV personality. He could date any beautiful female celebrity without even trying hard. It even seemed that female celebrities often approached him first. Several artists who were close to and were even rumored to be having a romantic relationship with Kim Jong Kook were actress Yoon Eun Hye, actress Song Ji Hyo, and trot singer Hong Jin Yong. Other than celebrities, a common company worker, Jung So Young, was also rumored to have dated Kim Jong Kook. He had many love lines, but Yoon Eun Hye is the only love line who lasted so long.
Yoon Eun-hye
Yoon Eun Hye debuted in 1999 as the new and youngest member of the girl-group Baby V.O.X, when she was only 15 years old. Yoon Eun Hye met Kim Jong Kook at the stage of SBS’s popular game show, X-Man. At the time, Kim Jong Kook was immensely popular as an idol singer, while Yoon Eun Hye was a debutante idol singer. She gained popularity for her girl-warrior image and palpable chemistry with Kim Jong Kook. During X-Man, their chemistry was visible and their interest in each other seemed sincere and genuine. They were always being paired with each other and loved being teased for their relationship by other members of the cast. Yoon Eun Hye had a hard time defending Kim Jong Kook from other female members’ enticements. On an episode of X-Man, Kim Jong Kook faced Lee Min Ki in the Of Course game, while being watched by Yoon Eun Hye and other members. Lee Min Ki asked Kim Jong Kook “Do you hate Yoon Eun Hye?”. If Kim Jong Kook answered “of course”, it would hurt Yoon Eun Hye’s, who was watching at his side, feelings, but if he couldn’t answer “of course” then he would lose the game. Beyond everybody’s thought, Kim Jong Kook approached Yoon Eun Hye, covered both of her ears so that she couldn’t hear his answer, and answered “of course”. Upon seeing Kim Jong Kook’s unexpected action, all the members went wild and got very excited, especially Yoon Eun Hye, who was visibly touched. This scene is a legendary scene among Korean variety show programs and is still being talked about. In November 2004, a newspaper first reported their alleged romantic relationship in the front page section. Kim Jong Kook and Yoon Hye appeared on SBS’s I Am variety show and denied the rumor. However, they wore matching outfits, sat close together, and looked like a couple in a relationship.
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Yoon Eun Hye appeared in Kim Jong Kook’s music video, “Saying I Love You”, which was released in 2006. Allegedly, Kim Jong Kook gave her a diamond ring and a scooter for appearing in his music video. On January 8th, 2017, Running Man broadcast an episode with a true or false game. All the members were strapped into a lie detector while answering a question about their relationship. Curiously, Song Ji Hyo asked Kim Jong Kook, if it was true or false that he still like Yoon Eun Hye. He answered that it was false. Immediately, he received an electric shock from the lie detector for answering a question with a lie. All the other members teased him for keeping his feelings for so long. He quickly faced the camera and said that it was a misunderstanding. It seemed that his feelings for her didn’t disappear.
Song Ji-hyo
Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook was permanent cast members of Running Man. Initially, Song Ji Hyo showed chemistry with another cast member, rapper Gary Kang. They were known as Monday Couple. Since Gary left Running Man, Song Ji Hyo and Kim Jong Kook apparently became closer, which aroused curiosity in the other cast members. Song Ji Hyo seemed very supportive and attentive to Kim Jong Kook’s ideas and actions. She was excited if put on the same team as Kim Jong Kook Early in January, 2019, on SBS’s variety show My Ugly Duckling, Song Ji Hyo was invited as a guest MC. She confessed that although she liked Kim Jong Kook’s personality, she considered him as her brother and that she couldn’t date anyone she worked with. On an episode of My Ugly Duckling, Kim Jong Kook said that he considered and treated Song Ji Hyo as his family.
Hong Jin-young
Hong Jin Young appeared many times as guest on Running Man and was usually paired with Kim Jong Kook as her partner. Due to her playful and cheerful character, she was able to tease and dominate him. Hong Jin Young was able to change his strong and competitive character to a cute, shy, and submissive one. Coincidentally, in each episode where they both appeared, Kim Jong Kook and Hong Jin Young often wore similar outfits. On one episode, Hong Jin Young said that a member of Running Man spread a rumor that she called Kim Jong Kook late in the night when she was drunk, but he didn’t answer the call. She wanted to clarify and ask Kim Jong Kook to tell the audience that she never contacted him. To her surprise, he said that he received several calls from her late at night! Audiences and viewers of Running Man love their on screen romance and chemistry. Hong Jin Young and Kim Jong Kook received the 2018 SBS Entertainment Award for Best Couple . It’s proof that they have the hottest love line in Running Man. On an episode of My Ugly Duckling, Kim Jong Kook confessed that he likes her personality. She is smart and cheerful, with plenty of Korean cuteness or aegyo. He wished that his future girlfriend would have aegyo, but in Hong Jin Young’s case, her aegyo is too much for him. On SBS Power FM, Dj Kim Young Chul asked Hong Jin Young about her on-screen romance with Kim Jong Kook. She said that it was a past story and that their relationship is a close senior-junior relationship. She added that Kim Jong Kook is not her type and she likes someone who she can be comfortable with.
Jung So-young
In January, 2017, on an episode of Running Man, Kim Jong Kook was the main topic. Other cast members decided the theme for Kim Jong Kook’s episode, and that theme was “Blind Date for Kim Jong Kook’s Marriage”. In order for the blind date to be successful, other members must succeed in every mission and decide every aspect of his blind date. Kim Jong Kook was paired with a beautiful lady who works in an ordinary company. When they met for the first time in a park, they wore the same outfit with the same color, which was a burgundy coat. They were both embarrassed and shy upon seeing each other looks. Kim Jong Kook treated her gently and was very considerate to her. Jung So Young was impressed by his gentle and thoughtful character and she wanted to get to know him better. Just like a normal date, they went to a restaurant and to an amusement arcade. Kim Jong Kook managed to win a doll from a claw machine and, as a reward, the couple got a romantic dinner on a yacht to end their memorable date. At the end of the date, Jung So Young had to decide if she wanted another date with Kim Jong Kook. She said yes and all the cast members got excited and congratulated both Kim Jong Kook and Jung So Young.
