The news of 'Chungju Man' Kim Seon-tae's resignation has stirred various reactions both online and within the local community.
On October 13, Kim Seon-tae, known as 'Chungju Man,' announced his resignation through a video titled 'Final Farewell' on Chungju City's official YouTube channel. In the video, he stated, "After 10 years in public service and 7 years as Chungju Man, I bid farewell," expressing gratitude to subscribers for their overwhelming support, which he credited for his success. He also thanked Chungju citizens and colleagues, saying, "The time spent together was the happiest of my life."
Kim submitted his resignation to the HR department on October 12 and has since taken an extended leave, with his official departure expected at the end of the month.
Following his resignation announcement, Kim was unexpectedly spotted at a theater attending a stage greeting for the film 'Humint,' directed by Ryu Seung-wan. Actor Park Jung-min, who had previously appeared on the 'Chungju City' YouTube channel, had promised a stage greeting in Chungju, which he fulfilled, with Kim attending to show support. This appearance drew attention, given the timing after his resignation.
Kim Seon-tae gained nationwide attention with his unique promotional strategy of using the YouTube channel as a platform, an unusual move for a local government official. His creative planning and on-screen presence helped the Chungju City channel near 1 million subscribers. His achievements led to rapid promotions, earning him the nickname 'Star Official.'
However, not all internal sentiments were positive. An anonymous post on a workplace community claimed, "Chungju Man was a cancerous presence in public service," criticizing his quick promotion to a 6th-grade team leader, a position others take 20 years to achieve, and his exemption from rotational duties due to his YouTube activities. It was even noted that derogatory terms appeared as related searches for 'Kim Seon-tae' on the Chungju City intranet, indicating significant internal jealousy and resentment.
Following his resignation, the Chungju City YouTube channel's subscribers dropped from approximately 970,000 to 800,000, highlighting Kim's significant influence on the channel.
Speculations about the reasons behind his resignation continue, especially as former Chungju Mayor Jo Gil-hyung resigned early to run for Chungcheongbuk-do Governor, prompting various interpretations. However, Kim himself has not disclosed specific reasons for his resignation or future plans.
As of now, Kim Seon-tae's future endeavors remain undisclosed, leaving many curious about the next steps for the former 'Chungju Man.'
Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr