On February 1, a new video titled “And Se Kyung, are you actually a scary person?” was released on Jung Jae Hyung’s YouTube channel Yojeong Jaehyung. During the conversation, Shin Se Kyung—who rose to nationwide fame through the 2009–2010 MBC sitcom—was asked the question fans have continued to bring up for over a decade: “Why was the ending like that?”
Faced with the question, Shin Se Kyung could only let out a deep sigh before responding. Jung Jae Hyung remarked, “That caused a huge uproar back then. Looking back, it was just a sitcom, but it felt like a massive social issue.” Shin agreed, replying, “It’s still an uproar. I still hear about it even now.”
High Kick Through the Roof aired from September 2009 to March 2010 and recorded peak ratings of 24.9%, becoming a cultural phenomenon in South Korea. However, its finale shocked viewers by depicting the deaths of Ji Hoon and Se Kyung in a sudden accident—an ending that sharply contrasted with the sitcom’s lighthearted tone and left many fans heartbroken and angry.
Shin Se Kyung recalled the atmosphere on the night the final episode aired. “The last broadcast day was also the wrap party,” she said. “We all gathered to watch the finale together. There were a lot of reporters there too. But even before anything happened, the mood felt strange. It felt like something huge was happening outside the room.” Her story drew laughter, but also underscored how intense the public reaction was at the time.
Jung Jae Hyung added, “The outside world really turned hostile. Watching it again, you realize just how loved the show was.” Shin echoed the sentiment, saying she believes the enduring controversy is proof of how deeply viewers cared about the characters and story.
Still, the actress emphasized that the topic requires caution. “When it comes to High Kick, you have to choose your words very carefully—especially about the ending,” she said. “That was the first time I truly felt how powerful public love can be. It made me realize how big it all was, and that’s why I feel I need to be even more careful.”
Fifteen years on, High Kick Through the Roof remains one of Korea’s most beloved—and debated—sitcoms, with its infamous ending continuing to follow Shin Se Kyung as a defining moment in her career.
Sources: Netizenbuzz