Godfather of late night talk show dies at 84

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Sun, October 1, 2023 | 18:43

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Godfather of late night talk show dies at 84

Posted : 2020-03-11 15:41

Updated : 2020-03-11 21:43

Johnny Yune performs on SBS' "Johnny Yune Story Show" at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, in this November 15, 1992 file photo. / Korea Times file

Johnny Yune was America's most visible Asian comic

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Popular Korean American comedian and TV show host Johnny Yune, whose Korean name was Yune Jong-seung, died in Los Angeles, Sunday (local time). He was 84.

He was taken to Alhambra Hospital Medical Center last Wednesday due to sudden drop in blood pressure but failed to recover.

Following the deceased's wishes, Yune's body will be donated to the University of California-Irvine Medical Center.

Yune pioneered a stylish late night show that walked a satirical tightrope in Korea. His show, however, was way ahead of its time and thus cut short.

He was a well-known figure in both the American and Korean stand-up scenes, featuring in NBC's "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and hosting KBS2's "The Johnny Yune Show."

Born on Oct. 22, 1936 in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, Yune graduated from Sungdong High School in Seoul before attending Ohio Wesleyan University in the U.S. He renounced his Korean citizenship and became a U.S. citizen in 1978.

Yune's talent was first discovered in a Santa Monica comedy club by talent scouts from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson."

With Carson's approval, Yune performed on the show, in which he made jokes about Asian stereotypes, sex and politics. He proved to be one of the most popular guests and appeared on the show 34 times in the 1970s and 1980s.

When Carson asked if he had studied kung-fu, Yune replied "I once stepped in it." He also mentioned growing up under an anti-communist, repressive regime in Korea, "I remember my father said ― I'll never forget this ― 'A communist is someone who has nothing and is willing to share it with you.'"

Fronted by Carson, he soon became America's most visible Asian comedian. Yune was also an accomplished singer. He once performed "O sole mio" on the show, wowing the audience. Due to his success, he was invited to host his own special show on NBC.

Yune made his film debut in 1979's "Meteor" under the stage name Jon Yune. He also acted in 1980s films "They Call Me Bruce" and "They Still Call Me Bruce."

As his prominence faded in the U.S., he moved back to Korea in pursuit of new opportunities. Yune performed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul alongside Bob Hope and Brooke Shields.

He shot to fame in Korea after hosting KBS2's "The Johnny Yune Show," Korea's first American-style talk show featuring political skits and sexual jokes, from 1989 to 1990. Despite its high viewership, the TV show ended after a year. There was little freedom in Korean media at the time and some conservative Koreans felt uncomfortable with his jokes and political satire.

Yune later recalled that "there was no freedom of speech at that time and there were many restrictions for broadcasters."

However, with the show's success, similar talk shows named after their hosts popped up in Korea. Yune continued to appear on a variety of shows, including iTV's "Johnny Yune, What's Up," and KBS' "Comedy Club."

He married a Korean American named Julia Yune in 1999m 20 years his junior, but they divorced in 2010. His former wife said domestic violence was the reason of the break up.

Yune regained his Korean citizenship in 2013, becoming a dual citizen.

The following year, he was appointed as an auditor of the Korea Tourism Organization by then President Park Geun-hye. He was mired in controversy over his qualifications for the role and stepped down from the post. Before the end of his tenure, he collapsed from a brain hemorrhage in 2016 and returned to the U.S. for treatment.

Yune spent his remaining years at a care center in Los Angeles. He suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

His ex-wife Julia, who said she frequently visited the care center to look after him, commented to local outlet Star News, "I'm currently under quarantine in Korea, so I couldn't be with him on his deathbed. He had suffered from low blood pressure and cerebral hemorrhage."

Korean entertainers mourned Yune's passing, remembering him as the "godfather of comedy."

"Rest in peace," singer Bae Cheol-soo, who appeared as a guest on "The Johnny Yune Show," wrote on Instagram.

"He was at the forefront of Korea's stand-up comedy. This void after his departure may not get filled," comedian Lee Hong-ryul said.

Singer Jo Young-nam, who was a supporting emcee on "The Johnny Yune Show," remembered him as "a humorous man in everyday life. Because he was fluent in English, foreign celebrities felt appreciated appearing on his show during their visit to Korea."

Yune hand-picked Jo as a supporting emcee as the two knew each other well. Jo said he himself hosted TV shows and appeared in various shows as a guest but none of them even came close to the Jonny Yune show. Yune had a great sense of humor but never crossed the line and this made his show great, the singer said.

yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr