In fact, Kim found out the hard way that some topics did remain tacitly untouchable. When President Roh Tae Woo came to power after Chun Doo Hwan resigned in disgrace, Roh generously announced that the nation's comics could poke fun at him. However, soon after Kim made a public joke about Roh's love life, he found himself the target of the government's dogged tax department. Kim was nearly bankrupted and had to move the club to a less pricey location. Since then, Kim has recovered and now his venue operates at capacity, seating some 150 people every night of the week.
Tonight is no exception.
The audience is filled with young, affluent men and women swilling scotch and OB beer. Most of the women sit near the stage and, as Kim confirms, laugh hardest at the jokes about sex. Some of the men simply look at their shoes or adjust their neckties when a comic delivers an especially saucy punchline. An evening's entertainment usually includes a roster of eight different comedians, with Kim as the master of ceremonies. The audience particularly likes the acts that showcase comic-singers who brilliantly spoof famous Korean and Japanese singers.