Every day, the financial headlines are filled with grim stories, such as the worst employment shock in 8 years and unemployment remaining over 1 million for 7 months in a row. In these times, there are young people who are seriously worried about their dreams and futures. I interviewed Announcer Kim Ji-yoon, originally from Gyeongnam MBC and currently with Cheongju MBC. We hope that this interview will help calm some of these worries. -Ed.


Q. Please tell us a bit about yourself and give a brief introduction of your current programs.
A. I am currently hosting Prime Interview, which consists of 30-minute-long conversations with figures from diverse sectors such as farming, job recruitment, and radio programs like Afternoon Discovery, a music radio program which runs from 4-6 p.m. I am also working as an anchor with TV Newsdesk Chungbuk (Cheongju) and R-News Focus Chungbuk. In addition, I am participating in regional concerts and social charity events.

Q. How did you realize your dream of becoming an announcer?
A. Honestly, I didn’t originally aspire to be an announcer. I just wanted to work at a regular company and live an ordinary life. However, while I was in college and figuring out my career, I saw an advertisement for the Gyeonggi Province Announcer Academy in a bus and applied. While at the academy, I met Lee Da-in, a former announcer at MBC Mokpo, and became interested in this kind of work. I enjoyed studying at the academy and decided on my future path. As a result, I was able to achieve my dream of becoming an announcer.

Q. What is the difference between what you thought of becoming an announcer and how you feel when you are actually working?
A. There are various genres, including magazine programs, current affairs shows, and music programs. Personally, I like and prefer current affairs programs more than music programs. However, I realized it was hard to decide which affairs I wanted to cover.

Q. What is the experience or episode you’re most proud of?
A. I was a reporter in Chuncheon before I became an announcer. My grandmother, who passed away last year, was so excited to see me on TV, and the sight of her proudly bragging about me to everyone she met is still vivid in my mind. That is the moment I am most proud of, even more than when I was accepted as an announcer. Another memorable experience is when I was working at MBC Gyeongnam, broadcasting with presidential candidates such as Yoo Seung-min and Hong Jun-pyo. I was overwhelmed by all the candidates’ enthusiasm and broadcasted while in a daze.

Q. What is the hardest part of being an announcer?
A. Depending on the program, my assignments are divided into morning work and evening work. Therefore, my working pattern changes for each program, and I think that is one of the difficulties. In addition, I can’t take a vacation during holidays even if I have plans, as it is hard to replace me because it is a job where having a recognizable personality on screen is vital. In addition, in my case, it is hard for me to meet friends and family easily because I’m far from home.
  I had a hard time when I was preparing to be an announcer. The competition rate for the three major companies Seoul SBS, KBS, and MBC exceeds 3,000:1. In other to qualify, I had to go through various procedures such as camera testing and a written test, and when I failed in the middle of all that, it was mentally difficult and I felt skeptical about my ability.
  I think the good thing is that I have a chance to meet and talk with various people whom I couldn’t meet if I were not an announcer. The advantage of this job is that I have to develop myself by studying steadily and by not becoming stagnant.

Q. There are announcers working in various fields such as entertainment, sports, and so on. Is there any field you want to challenge yourself with in the future?
 A. I think I don’t have any desire to be famous. The reason is that if my face becomes too public, I will lose my privacy. However, if I have an opportunity, I would like to be a TV program host. There are a lot of people who convert from being an announcer to a host. I think most of them have a great advantage in that they can work as freelancers and can find some free time amid a busy schedule.
  Also, I want to help students who have dreams at the announcer academy, as my dreams were developed through the help of a mentor.

Q. Do you have a role model?
A. I have two role models. The first is probably a role model for all announcers: Son Seok-hee. It’s hard to deliver to viewers with perfect self-management. However, he delivers the news comfortably even if it is complicated content. The second is Kim Hyun-jung, the anchor of CBS, who is easy to listen to and has excellent empathy with the listeners. Currently, she hosts Kim Hyun-jung’s news show. Many people acknowledge Kim Hyun-jung’s ability. Therefore, celebrities who hesitate to appear on TV appear on Kim Hyun-jung’s news show. That’s why she is my role model.

Q. Lastly, please say something to the CBNU students and those who are preparing to be an announcer.
A. On July 19th, I participated as an emcee at a social welfare community charity event which was held at the Gaesin Culuture Center. It seemed to be more memorable because I introduced a meaningful event during a heat wave.
  I am often asked by many people how to prepare to become an announcer. In my case, I think you are ready if you hear, “You are like an announcer,” from other people in your daily life. I mean, when preparing to be an announcer, you are ready to become an announcer when you act like an announcer and prepare for it in real life.
  This next tip may be applicable to students who are preparing for employment even if their goal is not to be an announcer. I think everyone who has confidence and faith in themselves can get good results if they do not hesitate in the interviewing process. After I entered a company, I heard that I was selected because I was confident. Even if a disadvantage is pointed out in the middle of an interview, it will be a great strength if you admit that and create a pleasant atmosphere.
  I think announcers must build up self-management steadily and acquire knowledge in various fields. If you have an interest in what is happening around you and are ready for your dream, I think you will find a good result.

By Park Joo-hyun l jh38@cbnu.ac.kr
By Jo Se-in l si38@cbnu.ac.kr