MBC anchor-turned-broadcaster Kim So-young's bookstore, which has been operated for over 6 years in Gwanggyo, is closing. Kim So-young's calm confession of her business closure, after bursting a jackpot of 3.6 billion won after transitioning to freelance, left a deep sense of regret.
Kim So-young stated on the 15th on her social media account that "the Book Development Center Gwanggyo branch, which has been operated since 2019 for over 6 years, will terminate its business in August 2025 due to the expiration of the contract with the shopping mall."
Kim So-young said, "When I created the Gwanggyo branch, I wanted to create a space where books, lifestyle, and a cafe come together. It was quite difficult to meaningfully fill a space of just over 100 pyeong, where books were the main characters, which were not common at the time and are still not common now. I learned what it means to 'imagine the customer' in this place and, through trial and error, I tried to fill the deficiencies with sincerity."
She added, "By creating the branch, I think I started my business. After running small shops in front of my house, I faced many experiences and learned as I started something that I thought was beyond my capabilities. When I think of the Gwanggyo branch, the first things that come to mind are the faces of the staff who built and grew the branch with me. At that time, I knew nothing about how to work with the staff or how to direct tasks, so looking back, I regret that all I could do was learn through doing everything together. Thanks to the team members who trusted this inadequate representative and spent their precious time in life, the Gwanggyo branch could be operated."
Kim So-young, who joined MBC as an announcer in 2012, announced the start of her business by opening a bookstore with her severance pay five years later in 2017. She showed her potential as a businesswoman while managing four businesses, including live commerce, health functional foods, and skincare brands, and has reported that her business has prospered to the extent that she employs over 50 staff members.
While her husband, Oh Sang-jin, took on childcare responsibilities, Kim So-young gained tens of billions of won in market profits from building investments. According to a media outlet, the couple, Oh Sang-jin and Kim So-young, resold a building in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, which they purchased for 2.3 billion won in joint name with Mr. A in 2017, for 9.6 billion won. The equity of the building was such that Mr. A held 2, while the couple held 1 each, meaning the two of them reportedly pocketed 3.65 billion won, half of the capital gains.
The news of Kim So-young's bookstore closing, announced as she continues to thrive as a CEO on KBS2's "Problem Child in House," evokes disappointment. However, the reason for the closure is reported to be due to the expiration of the contract with the shopping mall rather than economic conditions.
Kim So-young conveyed, "I received compliments from customers who said it was nice to have a place like this in our neighborhood. So, I felt happy coming to Gwanggyo. I hope you all have such memories as well."
[OSEN]