Broadcaster Kim Il-jung marks 10 years as freelancer with no agency: 'How will things unfold?'

Former announcer-turned-broadcaster Kim Il-jung opens up about his career path as he marks his 10th year as a freelancer.

Kim and fellow broadcaster Kim Min-a appear as guests on Monday's episode of the SBS Plus variety program "Sinppal Talk Show: Gwimyohan Iyagi 2," a supernatural talk show.

On the show, Kim Il-jung reflects on a decade as an announcer followed by a decade as a freelancer, recalling that he joined a broadcaster the same year as Jeon Hyun-moo and Oh Sang-jin — each at a different network.

He explains that watching Jeon and Oh thrive as freelancers inspired him to strike out on his own.

"Right now I'm doing it completely alone as a true freelancer, with no agency," Kim says. "How will things unfold from here?" He puts the question to the show's fortune tellers for guidance.

One fortune teller warns him to "be very careful next year," advising that joining an agency would help him get through 2027 safely. The same fortune teller predicts his luck will improve from his 50s, with a particularly positive run from age 51 to 53.

When another fortune teller suggests Kim consider not only his MC work but also mentoring younger talent or running a management company, Kim reveals that he was once approached by the head of a major academy who asked whether he would be interested in taking over the business.

"When I got that offer I was very tempted, but I turned it down thinking, 'Who am I to teach anyone?'" Kim says.

Kim, who recently took on a radio DJ role alongside Yang Hee-eun, says he is "incredibly grateful" for the opportunity and has set his sights on winning the "Golden Microphone" award given to long-serving radio DJs.

One fortune teller tells him, "The table has already been set, but you keep throwing the food away without eating it," urging him to act decisively when opportunities arise.