Kim Jong-min stands as a unique and remarkably resilient figure within the fast-paced landscape of South Korean entertainment. For over two decades, he has navigated the industry with a distinctive dual identity: a veteran K-pop performer as the leader of the enduring co-ed group Koyote, and a beloved, seemingly guileless television personality, most notably as the cornerstone of the legendary variety show “2 Days & 1 Night.” Since joining Koyote in 2000 and becoming a fixture on “2 Days & 1 Night” in 2007, Kim Jong-min has carved out a niche unlike any other.
His career is a compelling study in contrasts – the energetic stage performer versus the often-befuddled variety star, the dedicated academic versus the on-screen “fool.
Biography
- Name: Kim Jong-min
- Birth Name: Kim Jong-min (김종민)
- Birthday: September 24, 1979
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
- Height: 179 cm (5 ft 10.5 in)
- Instagram: N/A
- Twitter: N/A
Fun Facts
- According to a dancer who worked with him, during Kim Jong-min’s prime, he was able to perform difficult, high-speed spinning dance moves like the windmill nonstop. However, he can no longer do those moves due to aftereffects such as hearing loss, issues with his vestibular system, external ear infections, and herniated disc problems.
- His herniated disc was reportedly severe enough that he could have received an exemption from military service upon re-examination.
- Despite his slender frame and somewhat clumsy public image as a former public service worker, Kim Jong-min is surprisingly strong, with impressive agility and arm strength.
- He also once experienced heartbreak when his best friend stole his girlfriend, a story he shared tearfully on “2 Days & 1 Night.”
- At the start of his career, his agency told him not to speak on broadcasts because it would “break the image.” This led to MCs avoiding him altogether, leaving him discouraged.
- While promoting Koyote’s 6th album, he considered using a stage name—“Kim Min”—since he was the only member using his real name.
- In 2006, an appearance on SBS’s TV “General Hospital” revealed his poor eating habits and chain smoking led to a shockingly low life expectancy estimate of 58 years. Since entering his 30s, however, he’s turned his lifestyle around—quitting smoking and improving his diet and fitness routine.
- Kim Jong-min has been the victim of multiple scams throughout his career.
- In 2005, he opened a PC café in Bangbae-dong but had to close it within six months due to problems with dishonest part-time staff—one addicted to gaming and the other stealing computer accessories.
- Outside variety shows, Kim Jong-min is also known for his humble lifestyle, loyalty to Koyote, and humorous yet thoughtful moments — like referring to junior idols as “colleagues” rather than “juniors” during a concept shoot with IZ*ONE.
Career
Joining Koyote: A Pivotal Transition
Kim Jong-min’s journey with Koyote began in late 2000. Following the departure of original male member Cha Seungmin, Kim Jong-min was brought in initially as a guest or temporary member for the group’s third studio album, Passion. His official activities commenced on October 29, 2000. Despite initial intentions to potentially leave after the third album promotions, his impact was immediate and significant. His strong dance skills and existing fan base contributed greatly to the group’s visibility, and Koyote achieved their first music show win shortly after his arrival. Recognizing his contribution and popularity, Kim Jong-min transitioned from a guest to a full, official member of Koyote starting October 14, 2001.
Within Koyote, Kim Jong-min fulfills multiple crucial roles. He is the group’s Main Dancer, a position solidified by his extensive pre-debut experience. He also serves as a Sub-vocalist, contributing to the group’s distinctive sound. Perhaps most significantly, following the departure of the original leader Kim Goo around 2002-2003 due to controversy, Kim Jong-min assumed the role of Leader, a position he has held for over two decades.
His long tenure as leader presents an interesting paradox when contrasted with his widely recognized variety show persona, which often portrays him as naive or easily flustered. The demanding nature of leading a K-pop group, especially one with Koyote’s longevity, requires significant responsibility, decision-making, and interpersonal skills. Koyote has maintained remarkable stability under his leadership, navigating member changes (primarily the rapper position) and the evolving music industry landscape with considerable success.
Kim Jong-min remains an integral and active member of Koyote. The group, currently consisting of Kim Jong-min, Shinji, and Bbaekga, continues to release music and perform under their own label, KYT Entertainment. Recent activities include the release of digital singles such as “LET’s KOYOTE” (2022), “STORM” (2023), “Wind” (바람) (2023), and “Four Seasons” (사계) (2024), demonstrating their continued relevance and musical output.
Solo Music Endeavors
While his identity is deeply intertwined with Koyote, Kim Jong-min has also ventured into solo music projects throughout his career. His solo debut came in the first quarter of 2011, shortly after his return from military service, with the digital single “Oppa Find Strength” (오빠 힘내요). Notably, the promotional music video for this release reportedly incorporated and addressed some of the negative public comments he faced upon his comeback to the entertainment scene.
In addition to his own singles, Kim Jong-min has contributed his vocals to television soundtracks (OSTs). He participated in the OST for Dongne Album (동네앨범) in 2018 and Fluttering Warning (설렘주의보) OST Part.1, also in 2018.
Television Career: The Unpredictable Variety Icon
Parallel to his music career, Kim Jong-min quickly established himself as a unique presence in the world of South Korean variety television. In the early to mid-2000s, he became a familiar face on popular programs like SBS’s “Real Romance Love Letter,” “X-Man,” and “Ya Shim Man Man,” as well as KBS’s “Heroine 6.” It was during this time that his signature on-screen persona began to take shape – a blend of goofiness, endearing naiveté, and a tendency towards nonsensical remarks that set him apart from other entertainers. His willingness to embrace this character garnered significant attention and laid the groundwork for his future variety success.
Kim Jong-min’s most defining role came in August 2007 when he joined the original cast of KBS’s flagship Sunday program, “Happy Sunday: 1 Night 2 Days” (commonly known as 2 Days & 1 Night). His association with the show has proven extraordinarily enduring; he is the only original member to have remained with the program through its multiple seasonal reboots, currently starring in Season 4. This unparalleled longevity speaks volumes about his adaptability, resilience, and the deep connection he has forged with the show and its audience.
His tenure was briefly interrupted by his mandatory military service. Due to a herniated disc discovered during his medical examination, he served as a public service worker from November 2007 to December 2009, rather than in active duty. Demonstrating his commitment to the show, he rejoined the cast immediately upon completing his service.
On “2 Days & 1 Night,” Kim Jong-min perfected his “eoribari” (clumsy/foolish) character, becoming synonymous with the show’s unpredictable humor. While initially perceived as simply naive, his persona evolved over nearly two decades. Viewers witnessed flashes of unexpected brilliance (the “genius fool” trope), uncanny luck in games, surprising knowledge on specific topics, and moments of genuine insight, often juxtaposed with his usual dazed demeanor. This complex, evolving character prevented him from becoming stale and remained a key element of the show’s dynamic across different cast lineups.
Beyond “2 Days & 1 Night,” Kim Jong-min has been a sought-after cast member for numerous other successful variety programs. He showcased a different side of his personality as a clever problem-solver in the popular mystery/escape room series Great Escape (Seasons 1-4). He has been a recurring guest and member on MBC’s “Hangout with Yoo,” earning awards for his contributions. He is also a long-standing cast member on SBS’s “My Little Old Boy,” for which he received a Top Excellence Award.
His diverse portfolio includes hosting his own YouTube show “Brain-fficial,” participating in historical exploration on “Those Who Cross the Line,” testing K-pop knowledge on “Idol on Quiz,” sharing conversations on “Tteokbokki House That Brother,” competing in “Golf Battle: Birdie Buddies,” judging on “Show King Night,” and recently joining the cast of “Groom Class.”
Personal Life
Early Life
Kim Jong-min was born on September 24, 1979, in the Dobong District of Seoul, South Korea. He is the middle child, with an older sister named Kim So-yeon and a younger sister named Kim Mi-yeon.
Kim Jong-min completed his primary and secondary education in Seoul, graduating from Seoul Changdo Elementary School in 1992, Dobong Middle School in 1995, and Dobong Information Industry High School in 1998. His pursuit of higher education began at Gimcheon College (formerly Gimcheon Junior College), where he earned an Associate Degree from the Music Department in 2003. He then transferred to Mokwon University, demonstrating a shift in academic interest by graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in German Language and Literature in 2008. His academic endeavors didn’t stop there. Kim continued his studies at Mokwon University’s Graduate School of Journalism and Advertising & Public Relations, completing his Master’s degree program in Journalism in 2015.
Before stepping into the K-pop spotlight as a singer, Kim Jong-min first made his mark in the vibrant dance scene of the 1990s. In 1996, he joined the dance team “Friends” and spent the next five years honing his craft as a professional backup dancer. During this period, he performed alongside some of the era’s biggest stars, including Uhm Jung-hwa (notably as the masked “V Man” during her iconic “Poison” promotions), Lee Jung Hyun, Kim Wan-sun, and R.E.F. His dynamic stage presence and distinct style earned him considerable recognition within the dance community, even leading to jokes that his “prime” was before his official debut as a singer.
Interestingly, during this time, Kim Jong-min auditioned for the powerhouse agency SM Entertainment. A misunderstanding regarding the offer – being asked to start as a dancer for established artist Yoo Young-jin, which he interpreted as rejection – led him not to pursue the opportunity. Fellow entertainer Moon Hee-jun later clarified that this was likely an acceptance, meaning Kim Jong-min potentially missed a chance to debut with legendary groups like H.O.T. or Shinhwa.
Relationships and Marriage
Kim Jong-min maintained a high degree of privacy regarding his personal relationships, even humorously referring to himself as a “secret dating supremacist”. However, in recent years, he began to open up more, particularly in the context of preparing for marriage. He shared that he sought psychological counseling partly to improve his communication skills within relationships and to better understand himself in preparation for building a family.
On April 20, 2025, Kim Jong-min married Kim Hwi-soo (김휘수). His wife, born in 1990, is reportedly a businesswoman and is 11 years his junior. The couple dated for over two to three years before tying the knot. His bride has been described by attendees as beautiful, intelligent, and bearing a resemblance to actress Kim Ji-won.
The wedding ceremony was held privately at the prestigious Yeong Bin Gwan hall of The Shilla Seoul hotel. Despite the private nature, the event drew significant attention due to the high-profile guests. The ceremony was hosted by national MC Yoo Jae-suk (Part 1) and fellow comedians Moon Se-yoon and Jo Se-ho (Part 2). Congratulatory songs were performed by singer Lee Juck and iconic K-pop group TVXQ. Numerous top stars, including Kang Ho-dong, Uhm Jung-hwa, Eun Jiwon, Lee Hyori, and many colleagues from his long career, attended to celebrate the occasion.
Public Issues
Throughout his extensive career spanning over two decades, Kim Jong-min has notably maintained a public image largely free from major personal scandals or legal controversies. His reputation is primarily built on his consistent work with Koyote and his beloved variety show persona.
The most significant recent issue involving Kim Jong-min was related to his wedding, but it was not a controversy of his own making. Veteran singer Insooni, attending his private wedding ceremony in April 2025, posted photos on her social media that included clear, un-pixelated images of Kim Jong-min’s non-celebrity wife. This action went against the couple’s expressed desire for privacy regarding the bride, who is not a public figure.
Netizens quickly criticized the post for invading the bride’s privacy, especially contrasting it with other celebrity guests like Shinji and Lee Hyori who had intentionally obscured or only shown the back of the bride in their own celebratory posts. Insooni promptly deleted the photos and issued a formal public apology, explaining she got caught up in the beauty of the moment and hadn’t fully considered the private nature of the event, expressing deep regret for her oversight.
