The South Korean fighter who became a household name on variety television
In short: Before he was a regular on major Korean variety shows, Dong Hyun Kim was a pioneer in the octagon. Known for a grappling style as relentless as a cicada, he became the first South Korean fighter to compete in the UFC, transforming from a professional athlete into a celebrated television personality.
Born in Suwon, South Korea, in 1981, Dong Hyun Kim’s path to mixed martial arts was unconventional. After a childhood spent speed skating and training in Judo, Taekwondo, and Hapkido, he pursued Judo professionally at Yong-In University. This foundation eventually led him to the UFC, where he made his debut in 2008 against Jason Tan, securing a technical knockout victory. He completed his mandatory military service with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. During his youth, he also practiced inline speed skating.
Kim's fighting style earned him the nickname 'Maemi'—meaning 'Cicada' in Korean—due to his ability to ground opponents and grapple with a tenacity that made escape nearly impossible. Although certain news reports incorrectly identified American Joe Son as the inaugural Korean UFC participant, Kim was truly the first South Korean athlete to enter the octagon. His presence was significant enough that a prime-time special aired in Korea a week before his debut. His original nickname was 'Stun Gun'. He once competed in Sambo before moving to the UFC.
Beyond the cage, Kim transitioned into a prominent media figure. Since 2010, he has appeared on more than seventy television shows, becoming a regular cast member on popular variety programs such as Master in the House, The Return of Superman, and Great Escape. His versatility is evident in his diverse career history; he has worked as a bricklayer, a construction laborer, and even a sashimi chef in Auckland, New Zealand, to support his training before finding sustained success in the octagon and on screen. He was a regular guest on the talk show Running Man. Additionally, he has taught self-defence classes to various students.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Dong Hyun Kim
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-dong-hyun-kim.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in US culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
