Broadcaster Kim Su-yong once made W43m on crypto — now has about $20 left

Broadcaster Kim Su-yong has revealed the details of his virtual asset trading history — one that saw him pocket 43 million won ($31,700) at its peak before a string of heavy losses wiped out nearly all of those gains.

In a video published Sunday on the YouTube channel "Yukgam," Kim laid out his year-by-year profit and loss figures in the virtual asset market and showed his actual account balance on camera. "Do not be afraid to cut your losses," he said, warning of the market's volatility. "The crypto market is not a place for anyone without nerves of steel."

Kim entered the virtual asset market in 2022, four years ago. In his first year he made just 20,000 won, and in 2023 he recorded a loss of 150,000 won, keeping his trades small throughout.

The turning point came in 2024. Riding a broad market rally, he realized gains of 43 million won — a windfall that left him overconfident. "Back then I thought I was good at investing," he admitted.

The momentum reversed sharply after that. Kim lost 16 million won last year and another 21 million won this year, bringing his cumulative losses over the past two years to 37 million won — effectively returning most of his 2024 gains to the market.

Kim has since stopped trading. The video showed his account's available buying power had fallen to just 2 won, with his total holdings valued at around 27,000 won ($20).

He said he had cut most of his positions after losses reached 50 percent, but left some remaining holdings untouched. "I'm curious what happens in 30 years," Kim said. "I might be 90 by then, or I might be dead — but in an age when people live to 100, I'll have to stay alive just to see where crypto goes."