Shin Jung-hwan Apologizes to Kim Hee-chul After 7 Years: “The Dengue and Gambling Jokes? I Asked Him to Say Them”
After seven years, Shin Jung-hwan has finally revealed the full story behind the controversial jokes made by Kim Hee-chul during his 2018 appearance on Knowing Brothers — and issued a heartfelt apology.
Shin Jung-hwan Finally Reveals the Truth Behind 2018 Knowing Brothers Appearance: Issues Heartfelt Apology
On April 28, Shin uploaded a video titled “Non-Non-Non Haters, Come At Me” on the YouTube channel Channel Gojunghae, sharing behind-the-scenes insights about his ill-fated variety show comeback.
Reflecting on the backlash he faced after appearing alongside Roo’ra members Kim Ji-hyun and Chae Ri-na, Shin explained how misunderstandings started. “A reporter called me and asked, ‘Since Lee Sang-min, your fellow Roo’ra member, has a good image, did he put in a good word with the producers to help you get cast?’ Rather than saying ‘No, he didn’t,’ I thought it would sound better for his image to say ‘Yes.’ After that, articles flooded in saying, ‘Shin Jung-hwan was placed on the show thanks to Lee Sang-min,'” he revealed.
Shin admitted that this unintended narrative put Lee Sang-min in a difficult position with his fans. Feeling guilty, Shin added, “I was terrified that it would cause him harm. Even the production team felt burdened — they edited out all my funny scenes, and my broadcast turned out flat.”
Shin Jung-hwan’s Surprising Confession: “I Asked Hee-chul to Roast Me”
Former athlete Kang Byung-kyu, who appeared alongside him, pointed out during the video that “Kim Hee-chul’s roasting went a bit too far.” Responding to this, Shin made a surprising confession, “There’s a story behind that. The day before recording, I called Hee-chul and asked him to go all out. I told him not to hold back and to really roast me to help make the show funnier.”
The infamous jokes, including Hee-chul’s jab “Dengue from the Philippines,” referencing Shin’s 2010 gambling scandal cover-up where he claimed he couldn’t return to Korea due to dengue fever, and the pun “He walks with a gambling-gambling sound,” were all done with Shin’s consent. While these jokes caused laughter on set, they also attracted criticism for appearing to glamorize Shin’s criminal past.
Shin Jung-hwan tearfully added, “I wanted to apologize afterward, but I couldn’t reach him because his phone number had changed,” finally expressing his overdue apology and gratitude to Kim Hee-chul for supporting him through an extremely sensitive broadcast.
Shin’s controversial history traces back to a series of gambling scandals — fined in 2005 for visiting illegal gambling houses and sentenced to eight months in prison in 2010 for illegal overseas gambling activities in the Philippines.
His fabricated excuse about suffering from dengue fever further damaged his reputation, leading to his long-term expulsion from the Korean entertainment industry.