Actor Kim Mu-yeol once turned down a spot in broadcaster Boom's idol group

A story has resurfaced about actor Kim Mu-yeol rejecting an offer to join broadcaster Boom's idol group Nuclear.

A video featuring Boom, Nucksal and Han Hae — all members of tvN's "Amazing Saturday" — as guests was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Jjanhan Hyung Shin Dong-yeop" on Monday.

Boom, well known as a fellow alumnus of Anyang Arts High School alongside singer Rain and actor Kim Mu-yeol, spoke warmly about his close friendship with Kim during the episode.

Host Shin Dong-yeop drew laughs by saying, "I used to call him Kim Mu-yeol, but since 'True Education' I just call him Mu-yeol. It really caught me off guard." Nucksal replied, "That's so typical — very Boom-like," while Boom grinned and said, "I'm just so happy Mu-yeol is doing well."

The group then tried calling Kim on the spot.

When Nucksal said, "Can you reach him now? There's still time," Boom reluctantly dialed Kim's number. As the ringtone kept going unanswered, Boom grew visibly anxious, quipping, "I'm as impatient as the hold music."

Kim never picked up. Jung Ho-cheol got a laugh by suggesting, "Maybe try calling him 'Mr. Kim Mu-yeol' instead of just 'Mu-yeol.'"

Boom then shared the story of how he once tried to recruit Kim as a member of Nuclear.

Boom debuted in 1997 with the mixed-gender group KEY before re-debuting with the all-male group Nuclear.

"Nuclear was a five-member boy group, and every one of us was from Anyang Arts High School," he said. "I told our CEO I wanted to do a boy group, and I personally cast my friends from Anyang Arts."

"I asked Mu-yeol to join us back then. I told him his passion and physique were more than enough," Boom continued. "But at the time, his dream of becoming an actor was bigger. He sulked over it and didn't say a word to me for three or four months."

When Jung Ho-cheol remarked, "If he hadn't turned it down, we might never have gotten to see 'True Education,'" Boom smiled and said, "Those who are meant to make it, make it. He would have put everything into acting regardless."