In 'Kkokkomu', we delve into the lives of two Koreans, Yeokdosan and Choi Baedal, who enjoyed idol-level popularity in Japan before and after the Japanese colonial period.
On the 17th, SBS's entertainment program 'The Story of That Day, Tied to the Tail' (hereinafter 'Kkokkomu') reveals the success stories of 'the legend of Japanese pro wrestling', Yeokdosan, and 'the man of 1 vs 100', Choi Baedal, who are the pioneers of K Sports. Among them, travel creator Won Ji, comedian Heo Kyung-hwan, and actor Song Jin-woo will appear as listeners.
Choi Baedal and Yeokdosan are figures revered as gods by the Japanese, with Yang Dong-geun starring in the movie 'Fighter of the Wind' and Seol Kyung-gu in 'Yeokdosan', both of which drew explosive reactions from Korean audiences. In this context, 'Kkokkomu' will reveal the spirit and stories of these two pioneers of K Sports that captivated Japan and why they resonated globally.
After founding 'Kyokushin Karate', Choi Baedal faced challenges in the Japanese martial arts scene, engaging in 'one shot one kill' battles against 100 people, and famously fought the 450kg giant, Raitenku, claiming his fame.
Meanwhile, Yeokdosan, who entered the Japanese pro wrestling scene, achieved a comeback victory against the American Sharp brothers, who were over 2 meters tall, using a 'karate chop', quickly rising to become 'the legend of Japanese pro wrestling'. It is rumored that Yeokdosan later succeeded as a businessman, providing various support to the sports scene in our country.
Regarding their remarkable journeys, Heo Kyung-hwan remarked, “If I met them on the street, I would probably bump shoulders with them,” while Song Jin-woo expressed surprise at Yeokdosan's popularity, stating, “Yeokdosan was the idol of that era,” noting that he recorded a 98% viewership rating.
Meanwhile, through 'Kkokkomu', Choi Baedal's son, Choi Kwang-beom, captures attention as he reminisces about his father. Currently an orthopedic surgeon, Choi Kwang-beom shared, “After failing the medical school entrance exam, I told my father Choi Baedal that I would do my best, and for the first time in my life, I got scolded.” He continued, “My father said, ‘Don’t say you will do your best, say you will definitely do it,’ revealing Choi Baedal's character of always charging towards his goals like an ox.
The source of the power that made Choi Baedal and Yeokdosan the pioneers of K Sports, who enjoyed idol-level popularity globally during that time, will be revealed, along with anecdotes of their encounters and their unknown love for Korean sports, in the main broadcast of 'Kkokkomu'. It will air on the 17th at 10:20 PM.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
