Singer and entertainer Jo Young-nam’s candid remark about his past relationship before his marriage to actress Yoon Yeo-jeong has resurfaced, drawing attention. During a broadcast of the TV program ‘Golden Friday’ (Geumtaneun Geumyoil), Jo, who was appearing as a ‘Golden Star’ contestant, made a surprising confession that led to a stir in the studio.
Jo Young-nam’s Past Confession
The incident occurred when contestant Kim Yong-bin performed Jo Young-nam’s song ‘Now’ (Jigeum). As Jo was explaining the background of the song’s creation, he revealed, “It was when I was happily living well. Before I had an affair.” This statement, implying a past infidelity before his marriage, caused a significant reaction from those present.
Jo Young-nam, who was previously married to actress Yoon Yeo-jeong, has spoken about his personal life on broadcasts multiple times before. His past marriage to Yoon Yeo-jeong, a well-known actress, began in 1974, and they had two daughters before divorcing in 1987. He later remarried in 1995 to a non-celebrity woman 18 years his junior, but this second marriage also ended in divorce.
The mention of his past affair, particularly in the context of a song about his life, has brought scrutiny. Netizens have previously criticized Jo Young-nam for repeatedly discussing his personal life on air, with some deeming it inappropriate.
‘Golden Friday’ Competition Highlights
The program ‘Golden Friday’ itself was focused on a singing competition where contestants performed songs, with Jo Young-nam acting as a judge and offering his artistic perspective. The broadcast on November 11th achieved ratings of 3.8% nationwide, with a peak of 4.2%, according to Nielsen Korea. The competition format involved contestants performing songs, receiving scores from judges, and aiming for the top spot.
Several performances stood out during the episode:
- Yang Ji-eun performed Jo Young-nam’s ‘Can’t Live Without Love’ with a unique lyrical interpretation, earning 97 points and ranking third. However, Jo Young-nam critiqued her performance, stating it didn’t suit her voice as well as a trot song might.
- Nam Sung-min garnered attention with his rendition of ‘Choi Jin-sa’s Third Daughter,’ receiving high praise for singing it better than the original artist, though he couldn’t overcome the score difference.
- Cheon Rok-dam impressed by borrowing Jo Young-nam’s glasses to perform ‘Hello, City Girl,’ securing 98 points with Jo’s immediate vocal support.
- Son Bin-a sang ‘The Place Where Flowers Bloom’ with a rich voice, earning praise for a “luxurious and wicked” performance but scoring 92 points.
- Kim Yong-bin, performing Jo Young-nam’s ‘Now,’ received 99 points, placing him in the lead.
- Chu Hyuk-jin competed against Kim Yong-bin, scoring 95 points.
Chun-gil’s Victory and Jo Young-nam’s Gift
The competition intensified in the fourth round with the appearance of folk singer Kim Se-hwan. Jeong Seo-ju delivered a flawless rendition of the 1973 hit ‘Falling Leaves Are Just Like That,’ earning 96 points and accolades for her song selection.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Chun-gil. Initially, Chun-gil engaged in playful banter with Jo Young-nam, even being playfully called a “cheeky fellow.” However, Chun-gil delivered a dramatic performance of ‘Just Once in My Life,’ perfectly balancing a difficult rhythm with deep emotion. Jo Young-nam was deeply impressed, exclaiming, “You sing so well,” and awarding Chun-gil a perfect score of 100 points. This marked the only perfect score of the night.
While Kim Se-hwan also showcased his considerable talent with Jo Young-nam’s ‘Swallow’ (Jebi), scoring 97 points, Chun-gil’s performance ultimately secured the win. Chun-gil successfully defended his ‘Roulette of Fate’ performance, earning the ‘Golden Star’ title and a solo first-place position with five stars.
In the final match, Choi Jae-myung recorded 99 points with his performance of ‘The Millstone Life,’ which included impressive hip-hop dance moves, surpassing Oh Yu-jin’s 97 points and securing a four-star ranking.
Following the conclusion of all performances, the painting created by Jo Young-nam was presented to the overall winner, Chun-gil. The show ended with all the cast members joining Kim Se-hwan for a collaborative performance of ‘Saturday Night.’ The episode successfully blended musical competition with personal revelations, leaving viewers with much to discuss.
