Veteran Comedian Lim Ha-ryong Reveals 13,000 Phone Contacts and Seo Taiji Connection on Day and Night

Veteran Korean comedian Lim Ha-ryong is set to prove his status as the entertainment industry's ultimate networking powerhouse on MBN's talk show Kim Joo-ha's Day and Night, airing on February 28. With a phone book containing nearly 13,000 contacts, the beloved entertainer brings a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories spanning decades of Korean showbiz.

An Unmatched Network

During the recording of episode 14, Lim revealed that he has personal connections to virtually every guest who has previously appeared on the show, including actors Kim Dong-gun and Kim Gwang-gyu, singer Choi Baek-ho, actress Jung Ga-eun, and veteran entertainer Cho Young-nam. The revelation drew astonished reactions from the studio, cementing his reputation as the industry's most well-connected figure.

Among the many anecdotes, Lim shared a particularly memorable exchange with divorced entertainer Cho Young-nam, who had appeared as a guest on a previous episode. Cho reportedly quipped to Lim about his long-lasting marriage, asking how it was possible to live with one woman for so long, a comment that drew hearty laughter from everyone present.

A 28-Year Friendship with Cha Seung-won

Lim also shared details about his deep friendship with actor Cha Seung-won, whom he first met on the set of the 1998 drama Angel's Kiss. The two have maintained a close bond for over 28 years, with Cha even appearing as the very first guest on Lim's personal YouTube channel. The comedian hinted at a particularly touching story involving Cha Seung-won's mother's 60th birthday celebration that solidified their friendship, leaving audiences curious to hear the full account during the broadcast.

The Seo Taiji Surprise

Perhaps the most unexpected revelation involved Lim's brief foray into fashion retail. Named one of Korea's best-dressed celebrities in 1988, Lim shared that during a time when his appearance fee was just 250,000 won, he would invest 500,000 won per week on clothing alone. His keen fashion sense eventually caught the attention of legendary singer Cho Yong-pil and inspired Lim to open his own clothing store. The comedian then dropped a bombshell: the very first customers to walk through the door of his new shop were none other than Seo Taiji and Boys, the iconic trio that revolutionized Korean pop music in the early 1990s.

A Love Story Defying Expectations

Lim also opened up about his personal life, sharing a heartwarming love story with his wife, who is nine years his junior. Due to financial difficulties early in their relationship, the couple did not hold their wedding ceremony until their son was already four years old. Lim recalled with amusement that because of his famously mature appearance, guests at the wedding frequently mistook him for his wife's older brother rather than her husband. He fondly noted that everyone was genuinely surprised by his wife's beauty on the wedding day.

Kim Joo-ha's Day and Night airs every Saturday at 9:40 PM on MBN, delivering a unique blend of news, information, and heartfelt conversation with notable guests from across the Korean entertainment landscape.