Publishing editor Kim Min-kyung opened up with humor about six grueling years preparing for a career, her family’s dazzling credentials, and the reality of juggling TV work with her full-time job.
The MBC variety show Radio Star, which aired on the 24th, featured Lee Ji-young, Kim Dae-ho, Kyung Soo-jin, and Kim Min-kyung in a special titled “Everyone Is Fighting For Their Beliefs.”
Kim admitted she went through an extended job-hunting stretch before joining a publishing house. “Before I got into publishing, I spent six years aiming to be a reporter,” she said. “I applied to so many newspaper and broadcast companies, including MBC and SBS.” She continued, “When I turned 30, I kept failing at the final interview stage. Back then, I thought my life was over,” adding, “I think I took tests at around 60 to 70 places.”
She credited her older brother for helping her endure the long journey. “Honestly, my only bragging right is my brother. He graduated from Seoul National University’s College of Pharmacy and then finished law school, and now he works at a law firm as a lawyer,” she revealed. She added, “I heard only about four to five people a year qualify as both pharmacist and lawyer,” shocking everyone.
Kim also shared how she balances TV gigs with office life. “I took personal leave to be here. I either use half-days or full days off, or I appear on shows after work,” she said. When asked what happens when she runs out of leave, she replied, “Then it has to be unpaid. I still have plenty of days left. I mostly film after I clock out.”
Having recently gone viral with multiple variety appearances, Kim said, “Lately I’ve been getting a lot of invites, so I went on You Quiz on the Block, ‘Salon Drip,’ and The Late Learner Mr.Jee. Radio Star feels like the peak of variety, so I came with the mindset that this might be my last—and I’m proud.”
Meanwhile, Kim first became known to the public through her publishing company’s YouTube channel. Since then, her variety show appearances have turned her into a standout ‘star editor’ in the publishing world.