Kim Young-sik

Kim Young-sik is a Seoul engraver of Oriental seals who impersonates North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Ever since his sister-in-law teased the businessman's sagging form as a likeness to the chairman, Kim Young-sik has portrayed Kim Jong-il at every opportunity, in movies, television shows, commercials, and for personal appearances. "When someone tells me I don't resemble Kim Jong-il in certain respects, I'm unhappy," said Kim in "The Korea Times". Unlike his more cosmetically enhanced competitor Bae Eun-sik, "I am a natural," Kim told the "Los Angeles Times". "I didn't have to perm my hair. I didn't need plastic surgery. Even my family name, Kim, didn't have to be changed. Sometimes I feel like I "am" Kim Jong-il." Kim, whose stated goal is to have the leader say, "Little Brother, come and see me," affirms, "I wouldn't want Kim Jong-il to be offended by anything I do. I don't want to portray him as an evil person."

External links

* [http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200605/kt2006050916011344430.htm The Korea Times interview] May 9, 2006
* [http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-lookalike11jun11,1,2774692.story The Los Angeles Times interview] June 11, 2006