On the January 10 broadcast of SBS Plus’s talk show “Lee Ho Sun’s Cider”, the cast discussed stories about so-called “workplace villains.” After listening to a story about a junior employee who repeatedly made mistakes, avoided responsibility with tears, and shifted tasks onto others, Kim Ji Min shared that she had gone through something strikingly similar in her own career.
According to Kim Ji Min, the incident occurred while she was working on a comedy segment with a junior colleague. “I asked a junior to prepare something in advance, but they didn’t do it,” she recalled. She admitted that she tended to be lenient as a senior, often saying, “It’s okay, we can do it now. Let’s do it together,” rather than scolding them harshly.
However, the situation eventually crossed a line. When she finally spoke up, the junior unexpectedly snapped back, saying, “You don’t do anything either, senior.” The comment left Kim Ji Min furious.
“We were in the middle of eating, and I got so angry that I stormed out,” she said. What followed only deepened the shock. She described seeing the junior happily chewing food and walking energetically—until noticing her nearby car. “The moment I rolled down the window, they immediately apologized. That sudden switch in attitude, front to back, still traumatizes me to this day.”
Hearing the story, relationship expert Lee Ho Sun jokingly remarked, “With acting skills like that, I bet that person became successful.” To everyone’s surprise, Kim Ji Min agreed, revealing, “They actually did become successful. We’re even close now.”
She explained the reality of the entertainment industry with a candid remark: “When things work out for them, there’s no excuse to avoid each other. You have to survive together.” Lee Ho Sun responded with a sigh, commenting on how tough the industry can be.
Kim Ji Min’s story resonated with viewers, shedding light on the complex power dynamics, emotional labor, and unspoken compromises often required behind the scenes of the comedy world. While the experience left her with lingering trauma, her honesty offered a rare glimpse into the realities of maintaining professionalism—and relationships—in a highly competitive industry.
Sources: Daum