Former Turbo Member Kim Jung-nam's New Life: From Scallop Farm to Night Stages

이미지 크게보기

Kim Jung-nam, a founding member of the popular 1990s group Turbo alongside singer Kim Jong-kook, is gaining attention for his current life working at a scallop farm by day and performing on night stages.

On the 15th, MBN's 'Special World - The People of That Time' official channel released a video titled "Can He Recover Again? Why Turbo's Kim Jung-nam Works at a Scallop Farm | Special World Episode 664." The video is an edited version of the broadcast from December 5, 2024.

In the video, Kim Jung-nam shares that he is currently working at a scallop farm in Tongyeong, stating, "I thought it might be a job where I could live a second life, so I took on the challenge," updating fans on his current situation.

이미지 크게보기

Kim Jung-nam, who debuted with Turbo in the 1990s and enjoyed a glamorous peak, revealed that he had to leave the group due to strenuous activities, unfair profit distribution, and a fraud incident. He recounted, "While hosting a program with Kim Jong-kook, prosecutors came to see me," adding, "I found out I was scammed amidst a series of unfortunate events."

The hardships didn't end there. Kim Jung-nam shared, "I released an album but got scammed again. I was told I needed money for promotion, but the broadcast never happened. The loss was nearly 200 million won," revealing the massive fraud he suffered.

He also disclosed that he has been suffering from panic disorder for a decade due to consecutive frauds, saying, "It doesn't heal. It feels like there's a stone in my chest," and "I feel my heart drop to the floor, and then it starts racing," expressing his ongoing anxiety and distress.

이미지 크게보기

Despite the challenges, Kim Jung-nam hasn't given up on performing, stating, "There aren't many stages for me these days. I don't have a stage where I can perform alone," and "I go wherever I'm called," continuing his night stage performances for 20 years, drawing attention.

Additionally, Kim Jung-nam expressed his regret towards his mother, who is battling cancer, saying, "I feel like I've been unfilial my whole life," and shared his feelings about marriage, "It's not that I didn't want to; I just couldn't. There were several opportunities, but they didn't lead to marriage."

Despite everything, he remains hopeful, saying, "The people around me, my parents, and my fans lift me up. I'll try a little harder to show a better version of myself," leaving a lasting impression with his determination.

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