Kim Jun-hyun (; born 16 November 1980) is a South Korean comedian. He joined KBS as a comedian for the 22nd open recruitment in 2007 and appeared in KBS's , Gag Concert, The Star Who Will Be Big, and Roller Coaster 2. He is currently hosting , and he won the grand prize at the 2023 KBS Entertainment Awards.
He signed an exclusive contract with SM C&C in 2024.
Kim Jun-hyun was born in Chuncheon on 16 November 1980 and raised in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province. He graduated from Gwangmyeong High School in 2001 and later attended Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Yongin Campus), where he studied philosophy.
During his military service, Kim aspired to become an announcer or producer, influenced by his father, a former announcer and director at KBS. Following his discharge, he initially prepared for media employment examinations. However, after successfully hosting a dormitory song festival at his university, he redirected his career focus toward comedy.
Following his graduation in 2005, Kim began his career as an aspiring actor at the Daehakro Small Theater. He unsuccessfully auditioned for the Daehakro Theater CompanyâÂÂs comedian recruitment in both 2005 and 2006.
Later in 2006, Kim and Kim Young-jo participated in auditions for the KBS2 program Gag Hunt in Yeouido, Seoul. They performed a military-themed skit personifying various food delivery items; however, the performance failed to impress the judging panel, and they were not initially selected for the program.
Despite his initial audition failures, Kim was eventually cast in a segment for rookie performers on a program featuring established comedians. He initially struggled with the lack of formal training and the demands of scriptwriting. During this period, he considered leaving the industry due to professional setbacks and discouraging feedback. However, an accident involving another aspiring comedian made him reconsider, and he decided to approach the production team of the program. After a reconsidering his career path following an incident involving a fellow performer, Kim sought guidance from the program's production team, which included producer Seo Soo-min and writer Choi Dae-woong. With their support, he continued his career and made his official television debut in 2006 on the KBS program '. He appeared in the segment "Mr. Aristocrat," a role characterized by his signature "Cheers" catchphrase.
Kim was officially selected through the 22nd KBS public recruitment for comedians in 2007. It was a year noted for a significant increase in applicant competition, where passed applicants debuted through the KBS2 flagship comedy program Gag Concert after completing their a month of training. During his early years as a trainee, Kim was part of a cohort of six performers who reportedly earned an initial annual salary of 1.5 million won. Although he initially held minor roles, Kim gained widespread popularity through the segment "Emergency Response Committee." His performance in the segment, characterized by the catchphrase "Whale~?" (Korean: ëÂÂ~?), established him as a prominent figure in the show's lineup.
In 2008, Kim joined the rock band Overaction as a guitarist. Formed by through the Mnet program Moon Hee-jun's Music Rebellion, the group's initial lineup included Kim, Yoon as main vocalist, Kim Young-min on bass, Oh Kyung-soo on drums, and Jacob on keyboards. The band debuted with the single "Run! Run! Run!" and later released the Queen Biho Project Album, which included the autobiographical track "Let's Earn Like a Dog."
Overaction performed at the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival on 23 July 2010. By this time, the lineup had evolved to include guitarist Lee Kyo-won of the band Burette. Their setlist included original tracks such as "Android" and a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." On 23 September 2011, the band appeared on the KBS2 music program Music Bank, performing the single "Taewon." The televised performance featured the core lineup of Yoon, Kim, and Kim Young-min, supported by Lee Kyo-won and session drummer Oh Kyung-su.
In January 2012, Kim joined the Gag Concert segment "Four Things" (Nagasaji), which featured comedians satirizing various social stereotypes. Kim's role focused on self-deprecating humor regarding his physical stature, a persona that remained a consistent element of the segment throughout its run. His performance popularized several catchphrases, including a comedic rationalization for his appetite: "Of course, I thought about it for a moment, but..." Through these performances, Kim established himself as a leading comedian in South Korea, known for signature gestures and catchphrases that achieved broad cultural recognition.
In 2015, he became a founding cast member of the food-themed variety show Delicious Guys. The program significantly contributed to his public image as a "foodie" entertainer. After six years with the show, he departed the production in 2021.
Kim is a Roman Catholic. He has cited his father, Kim Sang-geu, a former KBS announcer and director, as a major influence on his life and career.
In September 2011, Kim publicly announced that he was in a relationship. On 20 April 2013, he married Oh Jung-joo, his girlfriend of six years, in a ceremony in Seoul attended by many of his colleagues in the comedy industry. They had their first daughter, Kim Tae-eun, in December 2016. Their second daughter was born in July 6, 2018.