The recent episode of MBC's variety show 'I Live Alone' featured Crying Nut's Han Kyung-rok, celebrating his 30th debut anniversary, and his home reveal drew mixed reactions.
On the episode aired on the 6th, Han Kyung-rok, who boasts 20 years of living alone, showcased his home filled with personal touches. The well-lit and neatly organized space left fellow cast member Kian84 surprised, as he expected a more rugged, basement-like setting typical of Hongdae. "I thought you'd live in a basement in Hongdae with broken walls and fist marks," Kian84 expressed his disappointment.
Kian84 noted the lack of a rebellious spirit in the home, to which Jeon Hyun-moo humorously added, "The house is covered in capitalism." Code Kunst commented, "It's clean for a rocker’s house, but it still retains the Hongdae vibe, like a successful musician's home."
Han Kyung-rok explained the unexpected decor, saying, "More than 50% of the interior is about lighting. I prioritized natural light when choosing a home. The bright light is comforting, which is why the house faces southeast."
Having lived in Hongdae for 20 years, Han Kyung-rok shared, "Stepping outside meant seeing friends and familiar places. It was like a daily party in Las Vegas. That's why I moved to Goyang for a self-imposed exile." His hometown is originally Dongbu Ichon-dong.
Han Kyung-rok's morning routine includes stretching and enjoying coffee, showcasing a serene start to his day. He has been nurturing flowers for 20 years and often gifts them to friends without reason, displaying his romantic side. Jeon Hyun-moo joked, "Your routine is like an actress's. What's going on?" providing comic relief.
In addition to songwriting and composing, Han Kyung-rok writes columns, stating, "Morning-written pieces feel like they have the moisture of dawn, blooming like plants. I create with light." He mentioned his hit songs 'The Night is Deep' and 'Romantic Cat', noting that 'Myeongdong Calling' by Car, the Garden has recently gained popularity.
With 3,000 contacts saved on his phone and numerous acquaintances in Hongdae, Han Kyung-rok joked about running for office in Mapo-gu. Regarding 'Kyung-rok Day', one of Hongdae's three major festivals, he explained, "I love partying, so my birthday celebration grew. It started at a chicken restaurant, and I saved money for months to host it."
However, as the event grew over 18 years, Han Kyung-rok found it financially unsustainable, saying, "With 800 attendees drinking 100,000cc of beer, I couldn't afford it anymore. That's when I started getting sponsorships and expanding the event." Watching videos of birthday parties featuring artists like Kim Chang-wan, Choi Baek-ho, Han Young-ae, Melomance, Yoon Do-hyun, and Jannabi, Kian84 humorously remarked, "It's like Kim Il-sung," causing laughter.
By Eun Jung Kim, TenAsia Reporter eun@tenasia.co.kr