Former KBS Announcer Kim Jae-won Addresses Retirement Rumors and Shares Personal Journey

Former KBS announcer Kim Jae-won has addressed rumors surrounding his retirement package.

Recently, a video titled 'The Secret of Life Realized by a 30-Year Announcer Who Interviewed 10,000 People' was released on the YouTube channel 'Wiracle'.

In the video, Kim Jae-won stated, "I came to my former workplace to settle my retirement pay. Since I boarded from the past, please take me to my future. I don't know the final destination."

When Park Wi jokingly suggested, "Then the future is KBS again," Kim directly addressed the recent rumors about his departure and retirement. He said, "There are dozens of shorts on YouTube titled 'The Shocking Reason for Leaving 'Morning Yard'. There are many trivial fake news stories, like receiving a retirement package worth billions or being a billionaire who opened a coffee shop on an island. But I voluntarily resigned."

He further explained, "With one year left until retirement, I decided to step out into the broader world. The retirement pay isn't much. I had a mid-term settlement during my studies abroad, so it's a very modest amount."

Additionally, Kim introduced his recently published essay, 'Mother's Face'. He shared, "My mother passed away when I was 13," and added, "I got married at 28, and my mother-in-law took on the role of my mother. But one winter, she also passed away, leaving me feeling empty."

Reflecting on his experiences, he said, "Watching my wife and sister-in-law mourn my mother-in-law, I realized I hadn't properly mourned my mother 45 years ago. So, I began a long-overdue mourning process, which eventually turned into a book." Regarding reader reactions, he noted, "Many people confessed they hadn't mourned their parents properly. I believe resolving these pent-up emotions can positively impact other relationships. I hope 'Mother's Face' has a positive influence in that regard."

Meanwhile, Kim Jae-won decided to take an honorary retirement from KBS, leaving the network after 30 years following his final broadcast on July 31.