Kim Jong-kook Keeps 18-Year Promise to Former ‘Family Outing’ Assistant Director

By  Kang Sun-ae  | Apr 21, 2026

Kim Jong-kook Keeps 18-Year Promise to Former ‘Family Outing’ Assistant Director
A Man’s Way to TravelSinger Kim Jong-kook showed his trademark loyalty by keeping a promise he made 18 years ago to a then-rookie assistant director.

On the morning of the 21st, SBS Plus held an online pre-recorded production presentation for its new variety show “A Man’s Way to Travel in Kyushu.” Cast members Kim Jong-kook, Choo Sung-hoon, and Daesung joined producer Kim Jin-ho.

PD Kim thanked the cast for signing on. “He kept an 18-year-old promise. Back when I was the youngest assistant director on 'Family Outing,' I told Kim Jong-kook, ‘Hyung, please appear on my show someday.’ He kept that promise without hesitation,” he said, praising Kim’s loyalty.

Kim added that he and Choo Sung-hoon have gone to the jungle together four times through Law of the Jungle. “I asked him to join when he was at his busiest, and he said, ‘It’s Jin-ho’s show―I have to do it.’ I’m truly grateful.”

About Daesung, he said, “BIGBANG’s Daesung is arguably the top idol and the top variety star,” showing strong confidence in him.
A Man’s Way to Travel
Premiering tonight at 8:40 p.m., “A Man’s Way to Travel in Kyushu” follows instinct-first “extreme P” guys on a raw, no-filter trip. “Korea’s representative tough guys” Choo Sung-hoon, Kim Jong-kook, and the youngest member, Daesung, embark on a bromance-filled journey across Japan’s Kumamoto and Kagoshima. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)