Kim Kook-heon, a former member of the group MYTEEN, recently gained attention after appearing on the new ENA variety show “Baek Jong-won’s Les Misérables,” which premiered on November 30.
Revisiting a Painful Past
On the show, Kim Kook-heon candidly shared his past struggles and current circumstances, leaving viewers deeply moved. Introducing himself as a “former failed idol and current 28-year-old unemployed Kim Kook-heon,” he brought a mix of laughter and sadness to the program.
Kim debuted in 2017 with the boy group MYTEEN, but the group failed to gain significant attention and disbanded after a short run. In 2019, he appeared on the Mnet survival audition program “Produce X 101” with high hopes of launching a successful career. Alongside fellow MYTEEN member Song Yuvin, Kim impressed audiences with his striking visuals, strong physical presence, and impressive skills, maintaining high rankings throughout the show.
However, despite widespread expectations that he would advance to the finals, Kim was unexpectedly eliminated during the third ranking announcement.
A Victim of Vote Manipulation
In November 2020, it was revealed that Kim Kook-heon had been one of the victims of the infamous vote-rigging scandal surrounding the “Produce 101” series. His elimination was not due to lack of support but rather manipulation of the voting results.
Kim admitted that the aftermath left him in severe psychological distress. He confessed, “There was a time I opened the car door on the highway, ready to jump. It’s a memory so painful that I genuinely wanted to end it all.”
During this difficult period, Kim found inspiration in an advertisement featuring chef Baek Jong-won, who spoke about “resetting one’s life.” The message reignited Kim’s passion, leading him to participate in “Baek Jong-won’s Les Misérables,” a program where 20 contestants take on cooking missions under Baek’s guidance in hopes of turning their lives around.
Kim explained that the concept of “resetting” his life motivated him to join the show, marking a new chapter in his journey.
Life After MYTEEN
After MYTEEN disbanded, Kim and Song Yuvin formed a unit group called B.O.Y and pursued activities together. In 2021, Kim competed on TV Chosun’s “National Singer” but faced another setback, failing to advance past the preliminaries.
The duo also ventured into creating YouTube content, running a channel called “Give You an Empty House, Take My House” to explore new creative opportunities.
The Journey Continues
Kim’s appearance on “Baek Jong-won’s Les Misérables” has drawn attention to his story of resilience and determination. The show airs every Saturday at 8:30 PM, showcasing contestants as they work toward personal growth and life transformations through cooking challenges under Baek Jong-won’s mentorship.
Source: Wikitree
