Lee Jin-hwan says his comedy was forgotten after service

Comedian Lee Jin-hwan, who became known for anti-humor comedy, shared his current life as a Japanese cuisine chef on MBN's 'Scoop World' on the 16th.

Lee debuted in 2000 as part of MBC's 11th open recruitment class of comedians. Within six months of his debut, he gained attention through anti-humor routines and quickly became known to viewers.

Looking back on that period, Lee said, 'At the time, I was doing night stages and shooting commercials, and the money was enormous. It was not the kind of money someone aged 20 or 21 could handle.'

Lee said his military service changed the course of his career. He said, 'I went to the military a little late. When I came back after being discharged, anti-humor had already become forgotten comedy, comedy from the past.'

After leaving the military, Lee eventually started running a sashimi restaurant to make a living. He is now working as an omakase chef and described it as a second life.

Lee also described comments he heard while working in an open kitchen. He said customers would say, 'When a comedian falls apart, he ends up running a small neighborhood business,' adding, 'A customer can say that after drinking, but I heard it.'

He said he tried to refocus at the time. Lee said, 'I pulled myself together again, and back then I thought only about making money. I thought I should earn enough to live without asking others for help.'