Shocking confession: On MBC’s Radio Star, broadcaster Dae-ho Kim — formerly an announcer — revealed he was “scared” after receiving a call from PD Note, candidly opening up about the pressure he’s faced since going freelance and the growing controversy surrounding his agency.
The June 24 episode of MBC variety show Radio Star featured Ji-young Lee, Dae-ho Kim, Soo-jin Kyung, and Min-kyung Kim under the theme “Everyone Is Fighting for Their Convictions.”
Explaining why he returned to Radio Star, Kim said, “Whenever things get tough and I need a breakthrough, they seem to call me.” He added, “I’ve built up a lot of frustration lately, so I’m going to let it all out,” signaling he was ready to speak his mind.
First, he addressed constant comparisons to webtoon artist-turned-TV star Kian84. “I’ve seen comments comparing me to Kian84 for a long time. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but over time it started to gnaw at me,” he admitted. “I’ve even been called ‘Fake 84.’ I’ve lived like this for over 40 years, so it hurts when people say I’m copying him.”
Kim Gu-ra tried to console him — “Why would Dae-ho Kim need to imitate Kian84?” — but also asked pointedly, “Didn’t you benefit a bit from Kian84’s momentum?” Kim replied, “The timing was just coincidental,” expressing frustration that his lifestyle was being misunderstood.
He also felt weighed down by the flood of opinions after he went freelance. “Since declaring I’d go freelance, I’ve heard people say I was better during my MBC days. It’s only been a year and a half, but I’m already hearing that my ‘opening buzz has worn off,’ which is frustrating,” he confessed. “Keep hearing that, and it makes a person weaker.”
Amid all this, he indirectly touched on the recent controversy over his agency. When Kim Gu-ra carefully brought up Kim’s current personal situation, Kim said, “Something truly shocking happened recently. I got a call from MBC, and they said it was PD Note. The moment I heard that, I felt uneasy — and scared.” He continued, “I’m not sure how much I should say. It breaks my heart,” choosing his words carefully. Still, Kim emphasized he does not regret choosing the freelance path itself.
Kim joined MBC in 2011 as part of its 30th cohort of announcers through the ‘Sunday Night – New Employee’ program. He later drew attention on various variety shows for his distinctive daily life and candid charm, before leaving MBC last year to become a freelance broadcaster. Since then, he has signed an exclusive contract with Onehundred Label and continued his activities.
Meanwhile, Onehundred Label has been at the center of controversy amid multiple allegations involving CEO Cha Ga-won and contract disputes with its artists. The July 2 broadcast of MBC’s PD Note covered issues related to settlements, fund management, and conflicts with MC Mong. In response, Onehundred Label denied the broadcast’s claims as false and announced plans for legal action.