Singer Kim Jang-hoon strikes again with charity at middle school festival

Singer Kim Jang-hoon is set to reveal how he not only performed at a middle school festival without pay but also handed out scholarships from his own pocket.

On Friday's episode of MBN and Channel S's "Jeonhyeonmu Plan 4," hosts Jeon Hyun-moo and Kwak Tube visit a knife-cut noodle restaurant in Gyeongju alongside Kim and Kang Gyun-seong.

When asked how things had changed since the "Forest Tteut-hun incident," Kim said he had actually found his footing. "Even teenagers come out in large numbers to my performances," he said, noting that his younger fan base has grown.

Kim then revealed that while three university festivals had booked him, six middle schools had done the same — and that an old habit had resurfaced. "My condition flared up again, so I started giving the kids scholarships," he said. He went on to explain that he had turned down the performance fees from the middle school festivals and delivered the scholarships out of his own funds, leaving everyone around him stunned.

Kang also shared his love story with Yoo Ha-jin, who is 14 years his junior. "I finished the proposal a few weeks ago," he said, describing the special effort he had put into it out of consideration for his bride-to-be.

As the conversation turned to marriage, Kang predicted that Jeon would be the next among them to wed. Kim drew laughs by responding, "Regardless of order, I'll be sitting that one out. Statistically speaking, I have to accept that marriage probably isn't in the cards for me."

Kim debuted in 1991 and has been beloved for songs including "If You're Like Me," "Even If the World Deceives You" and "I'm a Man." He has long been known as a "donation angel," with his cumulative charitable giving reported at 21 billion won ($15.7 million).