Webtoon artist and TV personality Kian84 looked back on his beginnings — and cracked fans up with some brutally honest self-reflection.
On May 31, a new video featuring actor Kwon Hwa-woon as a guest was uploaded to Kian84’s YouTube channel. The two had previously worked together on the MBC variety show Geukhan 84. In the video, Kian84 and Kwon Hwa-woon chatted about marathons, popularity, and fan support.
Kian84 told Kwon Hwa-woon, “It’s been a while since Geukhan 84 ended, but it still moved me to be called the ‘Boo Crew leader.’” Kwon Hwa-woon replied, “There are many Geukhan 84 fans. All the runners know. Since you haven’t been showing up at marathon events, I’m feeling your popularity in your place. It’s like, ‘Kian84 couldn’t make it, so let’s at least cheer for Kwon Hwa-woon,’” drawing laughter.
A multiple-time full marathon finisher, Kwon Hwa-woon said the cheers he hears on race day give him massive energy. “When I run, being cheered on feels amazing. That’s the biggest thing,” he shared. “Wherever I go, people say ‘Keep it up’ and ‘You’ve got this,’ and I wondered if this is what BTS’s life is like.” He added, “In life, aside from family or friends, you rarely get that much support. As an actor, fans are there, but when you’re between projects, interest can fade. So the support I’m getting now feels even bigger.”
Kian84, meanwhile, views marathon cheering culture a bit differently. “It’s fun to be cheered on, but at the New York City Marathon it felt a little over the top,” he recalled. “They were beating drums and shouting nonstop, and after listening to that for hours, it almost felt mind-numbing.”
On their differing takes, Kwon Hwa-woon pointed out, “It’s because you’re really popular right now. Wherever you go, people recognize you as ‘Kian84.’” Hearing this, Kian84 joked self-deprecatingly, “Guess I’ve gotten complacent,” making everyone laugh.
Kwon Hwa-woon continued, “I’ve done a lot of projects, but I often felt like an unknown actor. So I was hungrier for that attention and popularity. If you’d gotten that kind of cheering back in the early ‘I Live Alone’ days, when you were even sleeping at Naver, you would’ve felt incredible.”
Kian84 immediately agreed. “Thinking back, when people first started recognizing me on TV, even little things made me so happy — like the gimbap shop owner giving me extra and saying, ‘You look great today,’” he recalled. “You’re right — I really have gotten complacent. I need to remember those days eating boxed lunches at Naver HQ,” he added with a laugh. Kwon Hwa-woon chimed in, “You have to remember your original self — the raw you back then.”
Kwon Hwa-woon also said, “These days, a lot of people tell me, ‘You’ve become too socialized.’” Kian84 quipped back, “I’m 43 now. I should be a little socialized, right? Isn’t it a problem if I’m not?” keeping the mood light.