Haha Exposes Kim Jong Kook's 'Lie' About Marriage Life

Kim Jong Kook, one of South Korea's most beloved entertainers, has long been known for two things: his powerful vocals and his legendary frugality. But on the March 8 episode of SBS's Running Man, the singer revealed that married life has finally cracked his iron grip on the household thermostat.

During a "Run and Fun Company" race that saw the cast members transform into hapless office workers, the topic of home heating came up in the most Kim Jong Kook way possible. When fellow member Ji Suk Jin mentioned lounging around in his underwear at home, Kim Jong Kook could not resist scolding him: "Save on your heating bills. Of course you are cold if you are just sitting around in your underwear."

A Freezing History

The comment prompted Running Man veteran Yoo Jae Suk to fire back with a pointed reminder: "You are one to talk. Turn on your own heating first." The exchange opened the floodgates to one of Kim Jong Kook's most infamous habits. Ji Suk Jin recalled visiting the singer's apartment in the past, painting a vivid picture of the experience. "My feet were absolutely freezing," he said, confirming what fans have long suspected about the notoriously thrifty entertainer's living conditions.

Kim Jong Kook, however, was quick to draw a line between his bachelor days and his current life. "That was when I lived alone," he clarified, before making what his castmates considered a bold claim. "Now I turn on the heating. I keep it around 25 to 26 degrees."

Haha's Hilarious Rebuttal

The declaration was met with immediate skepticism from the Running Man crew, but it was Haha who delivered the knockout punch. With impeccable comic timing, he countered: "Don't lie. I heard your wife wears a Moncler padding jacket at home." The luxury brand reference painted a hilarious picture of Kim Jong Kook's wife bundling up indoors despite his claims of adequate heating, sending the entire cast and studio audience into fits of laughter.

Moncler jackets are premium winter outerwear typically reserved for the coldest outdoor conditions, making the image of someone wearing one inside their own home the ultimate rebuttal to Kim Jong Kook's claims of reformed heating habits. The joke landed perfectly because it played on years of established Running Man lore about the singer's legendary stinginess.

Beyond the Laughs

The same episode also featured a touching moment when Kim Jong Kook expressed his deep loyalty to the show and his longtime partner Yoo Jae Suk, stating that he would not have continued with Running Man without him. The candid admission added an emotional layer to an episode filled with lighthearted banter, reminding viewers of the genuine bonds that have kept the cast together through hundreds of episodes.

For fans who have followed Kim Jong Kook's journey from his Turbo days to his current status as one of Korea's most recognizable variety stars, the heating saga represents more than just a running gag. It is a window into how even the most set-in-their-ways celebrities can evolve when love enters the picture, even if their co-stars remain hilariously unconvinced by the transformation. The moment has already gone viral among Korean variety show fans, adding yet another chapter to Running Man's treasure trove of iconic moments.