"Global Wisdom Tooth Evangelist"... From Comedian to Dentist, Kim Young-sam's Unique Journey

Kim Young-sam, who debuted as a KBS 16th generation open recruitment comedian, revealed his unique career as a dentist. He recently appeared on the tvN variety program 'You Quiz on the Block' and calmly shared his life standing on the boundary between two professions: comedian and dentist.

From Comedian to Dentist, a Life Turning Point that was a 'Deviation'

Debuting as a KBS 16th generation open recruitment comedian in March 2001, Kim Young-sam was active in programs such as 'Let's Study' and 'Jjanjang Theater.' Recalling his activities at the time in the video, he explained that challenging the comedian exam after his career path was already set following his graduation from dental school was the only 'deviation' of his life. In his mid-20s at the time, he took the exam thinking it was his last chance due to age limits, and as a result, he passed and walked the path of a comedian. He was a genius who never missed being ranked first in his school during middle and high school without even attending academies, but after entering high school, he once recorded 273rd out of 608 students. Afterward, he steadily improved his grades for three years and graduated from dental school ranked 4th.

The background of his cessation of comedian activities included health issues and professional concerns. He revealed that in addition to his health condition, having undergone spinal surgery, he had concerns about providing laughter among fellow comedians. He suggested that his worries as a comedian actually became the catalyst for returning to his main profession as a dentist, stating, "Once I felt that I wasn't funny, my mind became at ease." He introduced himself as a person standing on the boundary, possessing both his experience from his comedian days and his expertise as a dentist.

A Dentist Traveling the World as a 'Wisdom Tooth Extraction' Expert

Currently, Kim Young-sam is being recognized for another area of expertise as a dentist. In particular, he is standing out in the field of 'wisdom tooth extraction' and continues his lecturing activities across domestic and international borders. He mentioned that he conducts lectures abroad in countries such as the United States, Australia, and Canada, and has established himself as a well-known lecturer in the dental community. He explained his field of activity, saying, "Because the cost of wisdom tooth extraction is very high abroad, there is a demand for professional treatment at a low cost." He also added that a book he personally authored became a bestseller in the dental community and is receiving attention abroad as it has been translated into English.

He estimated that he has extracted approximately 20,000 to 30,000 wisdom teeth so far and stated that he possesses the proficiency to extract as many as 40 teeth in a single day. He added that the extraction itself finishes quickly, while anesthesia, preparation, and explaining precautions take up more time. Kim Young-sam expressed strong pride in Korean dental medical technology. He said that every time he attends seminars or goes on study tours abroad, he realizes that the level of Korean dentistry is world-class. He emphasized that Korean dental technology has high competitiveness in the global market, saying, "There is no comparison in terms of price-to-performance ratio."

As one of his aspects from his student days, it was also revealed that he was close to books while participating in the literary club 'Sound of Molars' during his time in dental school. The club was a place where people who enjoyed literature gathered every year. His journey, possessing both his experience as a comedian and his expertise as a dentist, is interpreted as a unique history standing on the boundary of two worlds.