Why Heo Kyung-hwan chased catchphrases: 'I wanted to escape Gag Concert fast'

Comedian Heo Kyung-hwan has opened up about why he was so obsessed with catchphrases during his career.

On Wednesday, comedian Jang Do-yeon appeared as a guest on "Heo Kyung-hwan's Trend Show," a web variety program on the YouTube channel ggzz.

During the episode, Heo reflected on his time on KBS 2TV's Gag Concert, where he became known for a string of catchphrases including "Isn't this the taste?" and "Five hundred won if you're curious."

Jang recalled that period, saying Heo had been "like a racehorse." "Back then, the other people in our year were just hanging out and doing their own thing, but oppa quietly kept to himself," she said. "He was working hard, and what he put out were catchphrases — and he didn't seem to care that people were pointing fingers."

Jang went on to say that seeing his catchphrase challenges trending recently meant "he won."

A visibly embarrassed Heo then came clean. "Honestly, for a while I just wanted to do something quickly so I could get out of Gag Concert," he said. "I had no ideas, but the other guys were funny, and I hated being the one who only did catchphrases."

"I felt like I wasn't cut out to be a comedian, so I was desperate to make something hit and break free from Gag Concert — and catchphrases were all I had," Heo said.