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The love story of Kim Dong-hyun — a former fighter turned broadcaster who married after 11 years of dating — has drawn renewed attention.
A former mixed martial artist, Kim is widely regarded as a pioneer who helped open the path for Korean fighters on the global MMA stage.
On television he projects a warm, bumbling persona, but as a competitor he achieved elite results — reaching No. 6 in the UFC’s world welterweight power rankings.
Before joining the UFC, a string of knockout victories earned him the nickname “Stun Gun.” Later, his prowess in mounted positions won him the moniker “Maemi Kim,” underscoring his dominant skill set.
He launched his television career in 2013 on tvN’s Let’s Go Time Expedition, where his goofy, self-deprecating charm played against expectations for a former UFC athlete and won viewers over.
As a breakout variety-star, Kim became a regular on shows such as Amazing Saturday, Musoe Girls (무쇠소녀단), Mungchyeoya Chanda (뭉쳐야 찬다), Master in the House, and Great Escape, where he showcased strong comic timing.
Kim is also known for his devotion to family. He married Song Ha-yul, six years his junior, in 2018 after roughly a decade together; they have one son and two daughters.
The couple have said they split and reunited 11 times during their ten-year relationship before ultimately deciding they were meant to be.
Having translated a successful UFC career into television stardom, Kim addressed persistent rumors that his net worth reached 10 billion KRW (7.5 million USD).
He said he lives in an 80-pyeong (roughly 2,850 sq. ft.) apartment in Banpo, Seocho District, listed around 7 billion KRW (5.25 million USD), but clarified, “It’s not owned outright — it’s a banjeonse. The jeonse deposit is about 3–4 billion KRW (2.25–3.0 million USD).”
Kim also said he suffered losses in cryptocurrency investments and had to sell a home he owned before property prices rose. “We almost ended up on the street with the kids,” he said, a remark that drew sympathy.
Known around town as a lovable big-brother figure — brave with people but easily startled by everything else — Kim has entered a second peak as a variety-show entertainer. Fans hope he continues to thrive.
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