Comedian Jung Hyung-don Opens Up About Anxiety and Departure from 'Infinite Challenge'

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Comedian Jung Hyung-don, once a key figure in the popular Korean variety show 'Infinite Challenge,' is revisiting the reasons behind his temporary departure from the show during its peak.

Recently, Jung's story of leaving 'Infinite Challenge' has resurfaced on online communities. In 2024, he appeared on Channel A's 'Oh Eun-young's Golden Counseling Center' to share his experiences during his career's peak.

On the show, Jung revealed that he has been suffering from an anxiety disorder for 20 years, partly due to traumatic encounters with the public. He recounted incidents where he was suddenly grabbed by his hoodie and fell to the ground, and strangers taking his child from his arms.

Dr. Oh Eun-young commented on Jung's situation, saying, "He was a bright and outgoing person, but while working on 'Infinite Challenge,' he reached his peak, which brought both good and challenging times."

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Jung confessed, "I fell during my golden era as a broadcaster. I blamed myself for a while, wondering why I was so weak when others could handle it."

He shared that he often felt fear for his life and guilt towards his family. "Looking back, there were many such incidents. I was running late for an appointment, and someone suddenly shouted 'Jung Hyung-don!' and grabbed my neck, causing me to fall on the street," he recalled.

He also recounted a shocking incident at a wedding when a stranger took his child from his arms, saying, "Oh, it's Hyung-don's baby." Jung revealed that such incidents accumulated over time, shedding light on the hidden struggles behind his life as a famous comedian.

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Ultimately, due to his anxiety disorder and health issues, Jung announced a break from broadcasting and left 'Infinite Challenge,' where he had been a cast member for 10 years. In 2016, MBC's 'Infinite Challenge' stated, "Jung Hyung-don, who took a break in November 2015 due to health issues, recently expressed that returning would be difficult due to mental stress."

Jung started working at 17 and said, "I transitioned from a student to a worker and then a comedian, and it was fun. But after starting a family in 2009 and having twins, all I could think was, 'I need to work.'"

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Regarding his children, he said, "I just wanted to give them everything, even when they couldn't walk yet," and continued filming. "I returned from overseas and immediately did two programs, filming 106 episodes in three months, with only two days off. I remember when my kids, not yet two, backed away from me after I returned from a 10-day shoot. They were unfamiliar with me. At the time, I didn't even have time to think it was strange," he recalled.

Finally, Jung said, "In 2015, I broke down and left for overseas. I had no experience dealing with anxiety, so I thought avoiding it was best." Dr. Oh responded, "You handled it well. But the essence of your anxiety seems to be the responsibility as a family head, especially the financial responsibility."

Meanwhile, Jung Hyung-don married TV writer Han Yu-ra in 2009 and welcomed twin daughters in 2012.

Reporter Na-yeon Cho, Ten Asia nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr