He became popular after appearing in SBS's variety program Happy Saturday and MBC's sitcom Guys n Girls.

[2] In late 1991, he was selected as an SBS special employment comedian in tandem with the channel's launch.

[5] He continued his popularity, appearing in programs like the SBS variety show Happy Our Saturday and the MBC sitcom Guys and Girls, until he took an 11-month hiatus in 1999 due to being charged with smoking marijuana.

After the mid-2000s, his specialty of acting and skits hosting alone did not fit with the zeitgeist of "real variety" and group hosting,[8][9] and shows that he starred in like Quiz Prince, Oppa Band, Champagne, and Night Star were cancelled due to low ratings.

[10][11] Afterwards, his quick-witted hosting in audition programs like 2011's Kim Yuna's Kiss & Cry and 2012's Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend gained him popularity,[12] and by becoming the main MC of programs like Hello Counselor and Strong Heart he experienced a second golden age, winning the grand prize in the 2012 KBS Entertainment Awards.