Former Country KkoKko members Tak Jae-hoon and Shin Jung-hwan will appear together on screen for the first time in about eight years, drawing intense interest as the duo best known for riding their peak together reunites after a long hiatus.
According to YTN on Dec. 9, Shin recently wrapped filming as a guest on the web variety show Noppakku Tak Jae-hoon, hosted by Tak. It marks their first time sharing the screen since the 2017 Mnet variety show Project S: Devil's Talent Donation.
Insiders say the shoot for Noppakku Tak Jae-hoon flowed from nostalgic Country KkoKko memories to frank updates on their lives, and that the pair's signature bickering chemistry snapped right back into place. Despite years apart, they reportedly looked every bit the well-synced duo once the cameras started rolling.
Shin halted all broadcasting activities in 2010 amid controversy over overseas gambling and what became known as the "dengue fever lie." He was later convicted of habitual gambling and served time. Paroled in December 2011 under a Christmas special pardon, he attempted a comeback in 2017, but lingering fallout from past scandals kept him from sustaining a long-term return to TV. Since then, he has made careful, occasional appearances in YouTube content.
More recently, Shin revealed he is preparing a new web variety project of his own, signaling another attempt at a comeback. In a recent interview, he teased, "I'm going to catch up to Noppakku Tak Jae-hoon," stoking curiosity.
The long-awaited reunion of Shin Jung-hwan and Tak Jae-hoon is slated to air on Noppakku Tak Jae-hoon on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.