Yoo Jae-Suk is a comedian and a TV host from South Korea, who has been a popular television personality. Suk was born and brought up in Seoul where he studied at the Seoul Institute of Arts. He later dropped out before graduating because he thought he could do better in comedy. Yoo made his comedic debut in 1991 in the KBS Comedian Festival. The show was aired on TV and had invited college students from all over Korea to showcase their talent.
In 2003, Yoo was a host for X-Man, which got him famous, and as the show went on, he was hailed as the ‘Nation’s MC’. Gradually Yoo started getting famous worldwide and there was no stopping him. He gained a massive fan following when he hosted a few successful shows like, ‘Infinite Challenge’ and ‘Running Man’. This comedian has an energetic personality and impeccable comic timing, and this has made him one of the most recognizable faces in the South Korean TV industry. Let us now get to know more about Yoo.
Caption: The famous South Korean comedian Yoo Jae Suk.
Source: soompi.com
Yoo Jae-Suk: Early Life, Education
Yoo was born on 14th August 1972 in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. He is the first-born son in the family and has 2 siblings, both sisters. He grew up in a middle-class family who had high hopes for him. But Yoo on contrast went the unconventional way after risking everything to get himself enrolled at the Seoul Institute of Arts.
Caption: The adorable geeky child in his yearbook picture.
Source: allkpop.com
Ever since his early days, he had an artistic inclination and he started getting interested in comedy in his high school days. Yoo even had few comedic routines as a child and displayed them to his family and classmates.
When Yoo was in college, he started performing more and the KBS Comedian Festival in 1991 was just the perfect platform for him. This went on to be life-changing for him; his performance was televised and widely loved by the audience and the producers. After the initial success which got him good exposure, the courageous young comic dropped out of the college.
In the next couple of years, Yoo only got small gigs here and there and was almost jobless. He was looking for a big role on TV but got a small one in the movie, ‘Tyranno’s Toenail’. Later, after being recommended by a friend, he got to host ‘Live and enjoy together’ in the year 2000. The show went on to become popular and even Yoo was then a minor celebrity. Yoo was loved by many and the Korean ‘Sweetheart’ was nicknamed, ‘The Grasshopper’.
Yoo Jae-Suk: Career:
He did have a successful stint on ‘Live and Enjoy together’ and a few other small jobs, but later Yoo got the chance to host ‘X-Man’. Yoo was associated with the show since the very beginning, in 2003. It took some time to find fame but eventually started growing. The show then became one of the most famous and highest viewed shows in Korea; he was again nicknamed as the ‘Nation’s MC’.
In 2006, he joined the show ‘Infinite Challenge’ as a host. The show wasn’t very popular but later turning some things around with Yoo as its host, it is one of the most watched South Korean shows.
Caption: Yoo alongside Psy in the Gangnam Style video.
Source: youtube.com
Next for Yoo was ‘Family Outing’, where he joined as a host in June 2008. He became one of the major ‘family members’ and was adored by millions. Like other shows he has been a part of, this again was a massive success. The show for years did sweep the best ratings for the Sunday afternoon slot
In 2012, as many might remember. he worked with PSY to appear in ‘Gangnam Style’. This song later made PSY an overnight worldwide sensation. Yoo also featured in the video and can be seen as a retro disco dancing character. This comedian has a very long list of guest appearances. He got a cameo role in the drama ‘My Daughter, Geum Sawol’ in 2015 and has also appeared in many different music videos.
Yoo has been a hardworking individual throughout his career. He did struggle after deciding to quit his college for almost a decade. Yoo has come a long way to become what he is now.
Yoo Jae-Suk: Personal Life
The comedian started dating his colleague on the show ‘Infinite Challenge’, Na Kyung-eun, not so late after they began working together. They both kept denying the rumors of a relationship but later accepted got married in July 2008. Two years later, the couple gave birth to a son, Yoo Ji-ho.
Caption: Yoo and his wife Na.
Source: allkpop.com
Yoo is also known for being a philanthropist who donates a significant part of his annual income for social causes. This goes on to show that the comedian has a soft interior that is willing to help people in need.
Yoo Jae-Suk: Net Worth
Yoo has a net worth of approximately $11 million. This fortune of his is solely made due to his hard work his in his career as a comedian. Now Yoo is the highest paid television personality in his country and is endorsed by major companies.
Caption: Yoo experiencing Wing Walking Punishment in England.
Source: runningman9012.com
Yoo Jae Suk is today a worldwide famous comedian. His parents were worried when he dropped out of school but his raw talent, hard work, commitment and effort, and he has become a well-deserved millionaire.
