From left, Kim Ju-yeon, Lee Gun-joo and Hwang Chan-hee / Captured from JTBC, TV Chosun, and KBS 2TV
A growing number of former celebrities are turning to life as shamans, drawing significant public interest over their unexpected career transitions.
On Aug. 21, comedian Kim Ju-yeon appeared on JTBC’s variety show “Don’t be the First One!” and revealed that she has been working as a shaman. Kim debuted in 2006 as part of MBC’s 15th open recruitment for comedians and rose to fame through the sketch “Ju-yeon-ah” on MBC’s “It’s A Gag.” That same year, she won the Best New Actress Award in the comedy/sitcom category at the MBC Entertainment Awards.
After “It’s A Gag” was canceled in 2009, Kim shifted her focus to other programs such as “Laugh and Laugh,” “Fall in Comedy,” and “Comedy Road.” However, her TV appearances gradually decreased, and she eventually disappeared from the entertainment scene.
Making a rare appearance on the JTBC show, Kim told hosts Choi Yang-rak and Paeng Hyun-sook, “I’ve been a shaman for a while now,” surprising many viewers.
Kim Ju-yeon / Captured from JTBC
Kim shared, “I suffered from a spiritual illness. I had heavy bleeding for two years, and I suddenly had high fevers and intense pain that kept me from going outside. I couldn’t eat or sleep for two months and lost 12 kilograms. I even went to a psychiatrist, thinking I was losing my mind, but they found nothing wrong. Since there’s no family history, I didn’t realize it was a spiritual illness.”
Kim recalled being hospitalized when her heart rate dropped to 20 beats per minute, saying, “Normally, isn’t it around 100? They thought I might die from shock, so they put me in diapers and wouldn’t even let me go to the bathroom alone.”
Despite spending between 100 million and 200 million won ($74,000–$148,000) on rituals to resist receiving the “divine spirit,” her symptoms worsened, eventually leading to partial paralysis.
Lee Gun-joo / Captured from TV Chosun
Actor Lee Gun-joo, best known for his role as Soon-dol in the 1980s hit drama “Three Families Under One Roof,” has also transitioned to life as a shaman. After achieving nationwide fame through TV dramas and commercials, Lee revealed his new path on TV Chosun’s “Dad and Me” in March, explaining that he had become a shaman eight months earlier and even established a personal shrine. According to Lee, reservations for his spiritual consultations are fully booked until mid-February 2026.
Describing his initiation, Lee said, “I met my spiritual mentor, who dressed me in ceremonial clothing, handed me a fan and bells, and told me to run. As soon as I started running, I felt a sudden sense of relief, a lump rising in my chest and tears streaming down my face.”
Hwang Chan-hee / Captured from KBS 2TV
Singer Hwang Chan-hee also appeared on KBS 2TV’s “AM Plaza” on Aug. 13, revealing that she drew courage from Lee’s story and has likewise become a practicing shaman.
Upon hearing the unexpected updates about these former celebrities, online users reacted with mixed feelings, leaving comments such as “You’re amazing for living the life given to you,” “Some destinies can’t be avoided,” “I was wondering why Soon-dol disappeared from TV, but now I understand,” and “There’s a fine line between being a star and being a shaman.”
This article from Xportsnews is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.koreatimes.co.kr ’
