Publishing’s Idol Kim Min-kyung Says Former MBC Announcer Kim Dae-ho Is Her “Heuk Model,” Not Her Role Model

Kim Min-kyung, the publishing editor now being called an idol of the book world, will appear on MBC’s variety talk show “Radio Star” on June 24. In the episode, planned by Choi Yoon-jung and directed by Yoon Hye-jin, Hwang Yoon-sang and Byun Da-hee, Kim talks about her main job, her YouTube work, and the almost fated employment story that came after six years without a full-time job.

Kim became widely recognized after appearing on her company’s YouTube channel, and she is now one of the most talked-about office workers in Korea’s content scene. Her popularity reached a striking level when a 1,500-seat concert connected to “Non-Mainstream Guest Seat” sold out in just five seconds, with 20,000 people waiting for tickets. In the publishing industry, that presence has given her a level of visibility often compared to an idol.

On the broadcast, Kim introduces her day job as a sixth-year editor on the foreign literature team at Minumsa. She explains that her work covers the full process of bringing a book to readers, from translation contracts to covers and marketing. While describing an editor’s daily routine of looking through proofs all day, catching typographical errors and refining sentences, she also shares how she became known to the public through the company YouTube channel “Minumsa TV” and appearances in various content formats.

Her popularity has been especially intense through “Non-Mainstream Guest Seat.” Kim says she never expected content built around people with clear personal tastes gathering to talk freely about films, comics and books to receive this much love. She surprises the studio by adding that an offline concert with 1,500 seats sold out in five seconds and that the waiting list alone reached 20,000 people.

Kim also reveals customized book recommendations. She personally brings books chosen for the MCs, drawing everyone’s attention, and earns an impressed reaction when she introduces a special book for Kim Gu-ra, who is highly interested in personal finance.

The episode also moves into the practical reality of living both as an office worker and as an on-screen content personality. Kim says she keeps up her YouTube and broadcast activities by using half-days or annual leave, or by filming after work. Sharing the mindset of an office worker, she says, “If things do not go well, I can just go to the office.” She admits that having her main job allows her to approach content work more comfortably and with less pressure.

Kim brings the set down with laughter through her “heuk model” remark about Kim Dae-ho. Emphasizing that she has no thoughts of leaving her company, she refers to announcer Kim Dae-ho, who opened up about various worries after declaring himself a freelancer, and says, “When I feel like quitting, I think of announcer Kim Dae-ho.” She then coins the expression “heuk model” as the opposite of a role model, delivering another laugh.

She also shares the fated job-search story that led her to Minumsa after six years of being unemployed. Kim says that in the past, while preparing for media-company entrance exams, she applied to media outlets dozens of times but repeatedly fell short at the final stage. Because of that history, she felt a complicated emotion when she entered the MBC building on the day of the “Radio Star” recording.

Speaking about her family, Kim says she was able to spend those six unemployed years with a sense of ease thanks to the strong background of family members who went through Seoul National University’s College of Pharmacy and law school. She expresses endless gratitude to her family. The MCs respond with admiration, saying that it sounds like “a household that smells of books.”

Although she struggled hard to find work, Kim confesses that she was deeply shocked after comparing the realities of the publishing industry with her former boyfriend and herself. She also brings laughter by sharing a story about a major argument on the street.

Kim further reveals her know-how for “text hip.” She names books as one of the trendiest fashion accessories right now and offers tips on how to carry a book stylishly. From old books and folded page corners to index tabs and the atmosphere of looking as if one is near the ending, she shares detailed advice that shows off her distinctive charm as an editor.