Noh returns to TV amid criticism

Noh Hong-chul, host of tvN’s new show “Dignity of My Room” speaks during a press conference at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Thursday. / Courtesy of CJ E&M

By Kim Jae-heun

Korean entertainer Noh Hong-chul returns to tvN’s new TV show “Dignity of My Room” after a one year hiatus following a drunk-driving incident last year. However, the public still sees it as too early for Noh to return to television.

Noh debuted in early 2004 with the cable TV show “Dr. No’s Pleasure Street” and walked the road to success by appearing on popular entertainment shows such as MBC’s “Come to Play” and “Infinite Challenge.” But it only took one incident to pull him down from fame when police arrested him for drunk driving. Noh withdrew from all his TV shows.

Celebrities’ drunk-driving scandals have been reported from time to time and one the most infamous incidents involved Kim Sang-hyuk, a member of former boy band “Click-B,” in 2005. Kim said at the press conference at the time that he drank but did not drink and drive. His nonsense excuse put him in a 10 year hiatus. Noh also lied that he only drank one glass of wine, but his breath test came out above a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.1 percent, which is high enough to have his driving license revoked.

Poster of tvN’s new show “Dignity of My Room” / Courtesy of CJ E&M

Noh bowed deeply to express his apology at his appearance and spoke cautiously throughout the event.

“I am very nervous now,” said Noh during the press conference at Times Square in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. “I know that I cannot give the right apology, for my sin is too big. I will try my best to pay my debt to the audience for their disappointment in me.”

The entertainer previously starred in MBC’s 2-episode long pilot show “Lazy Hitchhikers,” in Sept. but the public outpouring of criticism for returning too quickly to television, that he did not spend enough time in self reflection, put a damper on the show.

Noh managed to join the cable TV show “Dignity of My Room” amid criticism, where he will give tips on interior design along with four other emcees. The show provides information about buying material and building furniture.

“I chose the show because I thought I would enjoy it. I’ve joined the show not to improve my reputation but for my own interest because this is something I feel I can do really well,” Noh said.

Dignity of My Room premiers on CJ E&M’s cable television network tvN on Dec. 23.