Kang Yu-mi (Korean강유미; born May 17, 1983)[1] is a South Korean comedian, actress, and YouTuber. She started her career in 2004 through KBS's open recruitment system, and was a cast member of the network's comedy show Gag Concert.[2] In April 2017, she started a YouTube channel,[3] which by 2022 had gained over 1 million subscribers.[4]

Kang Yu-mi
Born (1983-05-17) May 17, 1983 (age 41)
MediumTelevision, online video
Years active2004–present
Korean name
Hangul
강유미
Revised RomanizationGang Yu-mi
McCune–ReischauerKang Yumi

Early life

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Kang was born on May 17, 1983.[1] She attended Kyunghwa Girls' Middle School and Kyunghwa Girls' High School in Gwangju, Gyeonggi, and was active in both schools's theater clubs.[5] In high school, her mother had to work as her father was in poor health.[6] Because of her upbringing, she paid for her tuition with a scholarship she received from the drama club.[6] For a year, she worked at a department store as a cashier.[6] She took several auditions in hopes of becoming an actress, but gained an aspiration to become a comedian after seeing a Stephen Chow film.[5]

Career

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Kang's career as a comedian started in 2002, when she won the grand prize at the 한반도 유머 총집합, a program where citizens could test their comedy skills.[5][7] Soon after, she was cast in Pokso Club [ko],[5] during her time in which she moved in and out of gosiwons.[6] In Pokso Club, she appeared in the skit "Women's Story" with Ahn Young-mi, but it was not very popular.[7] After failing once, she was selected as one of KBS's 19th generation comedians in 2004, through their open recruitment system.[6] She first gained recognition through her role in the Gag Concert skit "My Girl", becoming known for her confident image and the line "live creatively, you punk",[8] and at the end of 2004, she was awarded Best New Comedian at the KBS Entertainment Awards.[9] In February 2005, Kang and Ahn Young-mi launched "Go Go! Into Art",[8][10] parodying the conventions of various genres.[11][12] The sketch ended in February 2006 after running on Gag Concert for over 10 months.[10][13] After "Go Go! Into Art", Kang continued her reporter character from the previous sketch while also appearing in "Love's Counselor" with Yoo Se-yoon.[14] In July, the Korea Broadcasting Awards named her one of the broadcasters of the year in the comedy category.[15]

Filmography

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Television series

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Television shows

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References

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  1. ^ a b Jin, Ju-hui (2014-05-17). 5월 17일 스타 임정희·강유미. Sports Today (in Korean).
  2. ^ a b Jin, Eun-soo (2014-03-25). "Kang Yu-mi joins 'SNL Korea'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  3. ^ [TV직시] 최고 코미디쇼 ‘유미 유니버스’ [[TV View] The best comedy show 'Yumi Universe']. Hankyoreh 21 (in Korean). No. 1336. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  4. ^ Lee, Jae-lim (2022-07-07). "Comedian Kang Yu-mi divorces husband of three years". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  5. ^ a b c d 개그우먼 강유미 "주성치처럼 되고 싶어요" [Comedian Kang Yu-mi "I want to be like Stephen Chow"]. Yonhap News (in Korean). 2004-10-12. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via Naver.
  6. ^ a b c d e Choi, Eun-yeong (2006-07-10). 지난한 역경 딛고 꿈 일궈낸 개그우먼 강유미의 성공시대 [The era of success of comedian Kang Yu-mi, who overcame great adversity to achieve her dream]. Lady Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via Naver.
  7. ^ a b Jeong, Yong-il (2006-07-12). 요즘 ‘연애고민’에 빠진 강유밉니다 [I'm Kang Yu-mi and I'm worried about love]. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  8. ^ a b 개그맨 강유미 안영미 실제론 '극과극' [Comedians Kang Yu-mi and Ahn Young-mi are actually polar opposites]. TV Report (in Korean). 2005-09-14. Retrieved 2024-08-08 – via Daum.
  9. ^ 이혁재, '2004 KBS 연예대상' 대상 수상 [Lee Hyuk-jae wins the grand prize at the 2004 KBS Entertainment Awards]. Mydaily (in Korean). 2004-12-26. Retrieved 2024-08-08 – via Naver.
  10. ^ a b 개그 콘서트 '고고 예술속으로'의 안영미·강유미 [Ahn Young-mi and Kang Yu-mi from Gag Concert's "Go Go Into Art"]. Hankook Ilbo (in Korean). 2005-12-13. Retrieved 2024-08-08 – via Daum.
  11. ^ I, Seon-min (2006-01-01). “보도국서 멘트 바꿔야겠다고 하더라구요” ["The newsroom is saying they'll have to change their commentary"]. Media Today (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-08-08 – via Naver.
  12. ^ "안영미·강유미 "식상한 개그 NoNo!" [Ahn Young-mi and Kang Yu-mi "Tired humor is a no no!"]. Segye Ilbo (in Korean). 2006-01-13. Retrieved 2024-08-08 – via Daum.
  13. ^ "개콘 예술 속으로 고고! 다시 안되겠니?" ["Gag Concert's Go Go! Into Art, can't you do it again?"]. Newsen. 2006-03-01 – via Daum.
  14. ^ Gim, Eun-jin (2006-05-23). 개그우먼 강유미 "제대로 된 코미디 영화를 만들겁니다" [Comedian Kang Yu-mi, "I'll make a proper comedy film"]. Segye Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-08-08 – via Daum.
  15. ^ MBC 한학수PD, '올해의 PD'로 뽑혀 [MBC PD Han Hak-soo selected as 'PD of the Year']. Media Today (in Korean). 2006-07-20. Retrieved 2024-08-08 – via Daum.
  16. ^ 강유미 연기자 본격 데뷔 [Kang Yu-mi makes her official acting debut]. Newsen (in Korean). 2006-10-27. Retrieved 2024-08-06 – via Daum.
  17. ^ 드라마-영화속 개탤맨들의 대활약..'맛깔난 감초의 맛'. Sports Chosun (in Korean). 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2024-08-06 – via Daum.
  18. ^ Lee, Jae-lim (2022-06-16). "Comedians Yoo Se-yoon, Kang Yoo-mi to feature in 'Yumi's Cells'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
  19. ^ 강유미, tvN '코미디 빅리그' 합류. Yonhap News (in Korean). 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2024-08-06 – via Naver.
  20. ^ Park, Ji-min (2016-08-09). 유미 'SNL 코리아 시즌8' 하차 확정, 제작진 "언제든지 다시 합류 가능". Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-08-06.