Comedian Kim Chul-min dies at 54

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Sat, September 30, 2023 | 07:57

Comedian Kim Chul-min dies at 54

Posted : 2021-12-17 15:19

Updated : 2021-12-17 15:33

A photo of the late comedian Kim Chul-min is seen during a memorial service held at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital in Nowon District, northern Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps

By Park Han-sol

"I found happiness thanks to you. Thank you. And I love you."

The message to his fans posted on Facebook, Dec. 10, were the last words left by comedian and street musician Kim Chul-min, who died Thursday afternoon after battling terminal lung cancer. He was 54.

He passed away at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital in Nowon District, northern Seoul, where he had been hospitalized in recent months for chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Kim, whose given name was Kim Chul-soon, made his debut as a comedian on the television network MBC in 1994, appearing in popular programs such as "It's a Gag" that ran from 2006 to 2009.

But another passion of the entertainer was busking. For over three decades, he was known for drawing a crowd with his spirited voice and guitar accompaniment in Daehangno, central Seoul.

The comedian was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in early August 2019. Cancer cells had already spread throughout his body, he wrote, which meant that he might have just months to live. He also revealed his family health history ― his parents and elder brother all died of cancer.

But Kim refused to give up. Only days after his diagnosis, he showed up on stage with his guitar, belting out songs while wearing a hospital gown and a dark gray cap, to the accompaniment of cheers.

Since then, he continued sharing his journey on Facebook as he underwent treatment and therapy, recording in earnest both the highs and the lows of his battle.

Some days were filled with hope and gratitude: "I can live. I want to live," "Today is a gift," "This too shall pass." But he also didn't shy away from writing about the pain that inevitably followed: "I am hurt to the core," "I miss Daehangno."

Last year, the entertainer's name made headlines when he claimed that his symptoms briefly showed improvement after taking a dog deworming medicine containing fenbendazole. The vermicide's unconfirmed effectiveness in cancer went viral among patients in Korea following the popularity of online testimonials of a former cancer patient in the United States.

After eight months, however, Kim stopped taking the medicine, stating that the treatment did not ultimately work and instead led to serious side effects. In October 2020, the comedian virtually appeared at a National Assembly audit session to urge the Ministry of Health and Welfare to help cancer patients not be swayed by such misinformation.

Despite such an ordeal, he continued to show great willpower. He made TV appearances to share his story, played guitar and sang stirring tracks such as Choi Sung-soo's "When the Magnolias Bloom" (1984), until he finally succumbed to the disease this week.

Kim's memorial service is being held at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital.

hansolp@koreatimes.co.kr