On November 5, Defconn uploaded a new video on his YouTube channel DefconnTV. The video captured him visiting Kim Joo Hyuk’s grave on the actor’s eighth death anniversary.
Defconn explained, “I couldn’t visit on the exact date this year due to my schedule, so I came a bit earlier. Some of the writers and PDs from 2 Days & 1 Night also come down when they can, but this time I came alone first. Hyung (Kim Joo Hyuk) would’ve understood completely. I’m not visiting in sadness, but with warmth — like meeting an old friend again.”
Bringing along a can of beer, he said, “Hyung couldn’t drink much, but he loved a single can of beer. If he had more than that, he’d lose control,” reminiscing fondly. “He’d probably say, ‘Hey, you came? I’ve been watching you.’ Things are going well lately, and I think it’s all thanks to the lessons I learned from him.”
Defconn then revealed, for the first time, the real reason behind Kim Joo Hyuk’s departure from 2 Days & 1 Night: “One day, I got a call from his agency’s CEO. He said, ‘Joo Hyuk needs to start a new project soon, so he’ll have to leave the show. He feels so bad about it that he couldn’t tell you himself.’ I told him I was sad to hear it, and he said, ‘Actually, Joo Hyuk only planned to stay for a year, but he grew so attached to everyone that he stayed longer. He really doesn’t want to go, but it’s time.’”
Defconn continued, “Normally, I never ask anyone to stay if they have to move on. But this time, I just couldn’t help myself. I told him, ‘Hyung, why don’t you stay until the two-year mark?’”
“Honestly, it wasn’t something we could demand. He didn’t have to agree — but he did. He stayed until the full two years were up,” Defconn said with emotion. “That showed how much he cared about us, not just the members but everyone involved in the show. He extended his time because he truly loved those moments. That’s when I realized — he was a real brother. I was so thankful to him. This story has never been shared publicly before.”
He concluded softly, “Sometimes I still miss him. If he were here, he’d probably tell all of us — his friends and family — to live each day to the fullest. He really left a deep mark on my heart. There was just something special about him.”
The late Kim Joo Hyuk, fondly known as “Gutaeng Hyung” on 2 Days & 1 Night, passed away in a tragic car accident on October 30, 2017, at the age of 45. The son of veteran actor Kim Mu Saeng, he debuted in 1998 and appeared in numerous acclaimed projects, including Lovers in Prague, Argon, Confidential Assignment, and Believer.
Kim Joo Hyuk remains a beloved figure in Korean entertainment — remembered not only for his acting talent but also for his warm, genuine personality that touched colleagues and fans alike.
Sources: Daum
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