K.Will Talks Broadway-Style Buzz with Kim Junsu and Kang Hong-seok on ‘Knowing Hyeongsoo’

Renowned Korean vocalist K.Will (real name Hyung-soo Kim) recently shook things up with a standout episode of his YouTube talk show, ‘Knowing Hyeongsoo’, where for the first time, he featured guests that weren’t family — and all male.

Appearing on the show were musical theater stars Kim Junsu and Kang Hong-seok, both currently starring in the Korean stage adaptation of Disney’s ‘Aladdin’. K.Will introduced them humorously, noting, “First time having two guests, first male guests, and the first guests here for promotional reasons.” It signaled how the show has evolved from a casual format into a reputable platform in the Korean entertainment space.

Diving into nostalgia, K.Will reflected on contributing backup vocals to TVXQ’s breakout hit “Hug,” recalling his surprise at the pop-R&B switch: “I didn’t expect the lyrics to take that direction. It sounded more western R&B when I first sang it.” Kim Junsu responded, “I didn’t even know ‘Hug’ would be the title track.”

K.Will also attended a late-night showing of ‘Aladdin’, praising its energy and pacing: “I was exhausted before the show, but the performance kept me wide awake the entire time.” Kim Junsu echoed the excitement, saying he also watched ‘Aladdin’ in New York and immediately messaged Kang Hong-seok, “You made the right call. This is top-tier.”

Kim broke down differences among the actors portraying Genie — Jung Sung-hwa, Jung Won-young, and Kang Hong-seok. “Hong-seok’s Genie is the hippest. He’s got that Will Smith vibe.” K.Will concurred, “He’s got groove and soul.” A heartfelt moment followed where Kang shared, “I listened to your music a lot. I was a huge fan growing up.”

The conversation continued with praise for the ensemble’s commitment. “The ‘Aladdin’ cast rehearsed intensely,” Kim Junsu noted. “They deserve double the pay.” Both artists claimed the top two spots in “sweatiest musical actors,” and K.Will reminisced about playing Quasimodo in ‘Notre-Dame de Paris,’ joking he once sweated red onstage.

The duo also shared a light-hearted ‘Aladdin’ anecdote involving a child in the audience shouting “Jjijjibbong!” — a Korean phrase — during a synchronized character moment, bringing spontaneous laughter from the crowd. Kang emphasized, “That’s the magic. Kids laughing when Genie pops up? That’s the energy boost we thrive on.”

When K.Will asked for must-see recommendations, Kang encouraged viewers to come in cold: “Watch without expectations. Trust me, you’ll enjoy it either way.” Kim agreed, “Feeling stuck or bored? This musical will make you laugh non-stop for 2.5 hours.”

The show wrapped with K.Will’s signature question, “Should we get married or not?” Kang answered affirmatively while Kim chuckled, citing co-stars Son Jun-ho and Kang as “strong marriage advocates.”

‘Knowing Hyeongsoo’ continues to air every Wednesday at 5:30 PM KST on K.Will’s official YouTube channel, offering fans a unique peek behind the curtain of Korea’s celebrated musical scene.