Kim So-young, a broadcaster and former MBC announcer, expressed her regret as she announced the closure of the bookstore she operated in Gwanggyo.
On the 15th, Kim So-young revealed on her social media, "The Book Development Center Gwanggyo, which has been in operation for over six years since 2019, will cease operations in August 2025 due to the expiration of the contract with the shopping mall it is located in."
She recalled, "When creating the Gwanggyo location, I wanted to create a space where books, lifestyle, and cafes could blend together. Filling the approximately 100 pyeong space with books as the protagonist was not an easy task, but it was a time when I learned how to imagine customers and tried to fill the shortcomings with sincerity through trial and error."
She added, "Above all, the time spent with the staff we created together is the most memorable. Thanks to the team members who believed in an inadequate leader and shared their time, the Gwanggyo location could exist."
Kim So-young joined MBC as an announcer in 2012 and, after leaving in 2017, jumped into full-fledged business. Her first venture was the bookstore funded by her severance pay. She later expanded into four businesses, including live commerce, health supplements, and skincare brands, and grew to become a CEO with over 50 employees.
Additionally, it was revealed that she and her husband, Oh Sang-jin, made a profit of several billion won from real estate investments. The couple reportedly purchased a building in Hannam-dong, Seoul, for 2.3 billion won in 2017 and later sold it for 9.6 billion won, earning a profit of over 3.6 billion won.
Recently, the news of Kim So-young's bookstore closure has brought disappointment to many, as she showcased her successful CEO persona while appearing on KBS2's "Problem Child in House." However, she emphasized that this decision was not due to management difficulties but rather a result of the contract's expiration.
Kim So-young conveyed her gratitude, saying, "Many customers told me that they were happy to have such a space in our neighborhood. I also felt good and happy every time I came to Gwanggyo. I hope that memory remains warm for you as well."
[Photo] OSEN DB, Kim So-young
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