Comedian Lee Seon-min, known as a heavy smoker, has declared his intention to quit by offering a 30 million won ($21,700) bounty to anyone who catches him smoking.
Lee appeared Thursday on a broadcast by YouTuber Chimchakman and said he wanted to mark the occasion with something memorable. "Before I turn 40, I want to quit smoking and keep my weight under 90 kilograms," he said.
In response, Chimchakman — himself four years into quitting — advised against tackling both goals at once. "Quitting smoking and dieting at the same time puts you in an extreme situation," he said, recommending Lee take them one step at a time.
Quitting smoking, he said, should come first. Chimchakman said he had successfully quit after putting up a bounty of 10 million won for anyone who could catch him smoking and submit proof.
He added that given Lee's public profile, the stakes should be higher. "Someone of Lee Seon-min's stature needs to put up at least 30 million won," he said. "You'll grit your teeth and stick to it because you can't stand the thought of giving that money away."
The size of the bounty gave Lee pause, and he did not immediately agree.
When Lee asked when he should start, Chimchakman shot back: "The moment you feel like having just one more cigarette, it's already over. That's a rotten mindset."
Lee hesitated, saying there was no need to start right away on Friday. Chimchakman pushed back, saying that kind of thinking was exactly the problem and that quitting had to begin immediately.
Lee ultimately relented and made his pledge. "I'm making a smoking campaign promise. Wherever on earth you spot Lee Seon-min smoking and report it, I will pay a bounty of 30 million won," he declared.
He added that anyone with evidence of him smoking should submit it directly to Chimchakman or to his own YouTube channel.
Lee made his debut as a comedian in 2016 through SBS's 16th open recruitment class. After the sketch comedy show "Uteum-eul Chatneun Saramdeul" was canceled, he shifted his activities to YouTube. He has recently been active primarily through YouTube content, including the channel "Meta Comedy Club."
yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com
