7 billion won investment → consecutive closures.. Kim So-young speaks out: "Let's end it beautifully" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim So-young, formerly an MBC announcer, expressed her gratitude for the support she received after the closure of her book club service.

On the 4th, Kim said, "There were many waves of concern, encouragement, and comfort." She added, "I didn't pursue book-related work to show that I am different from others; I did it because it was something I truly loved. Although I have been doing this for a long time, I believe that ending things beautifully is just as important as starting them. I knew people would have many opinions, but I accept the outcome of my decision."

Previously, Kim stated, "The Book Development Station book club service, which we operated for about six years, will end with subscriptions in October 2026. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, while contemplating ways to continue operating our bookstore, we conceived a service that would deliver good books directly to customers' homes without requiring face-to-face meetings." She continued, "The closure of the service is not due to a single reason. Changes in the market environment and internal circumstances overlapped. While we are concluding the book club operations, moving forward, I will return as an individual reader who shares the books she reads with others."

Furthermore, through a lengthy post, Kim said, "We spent about two months thinking of it as emergency management because we had to make important decisions and ambitious plans." She added, "There is no need to go around saying 'emergency' or 'tension'; rather, during such times, one must strive to maintain composure. (In fact, I stumbled a few times..) After spending time this way, today, with the perfect autumn weather, I feel refreshed."

She continued, "I didn't fully understand what I was trying to do when I launched Bronte in September six years ago. Summarizing that period, it was time spent striving to gain self-confidence." She added, "As our organization grew and Bronte's sales increased, I am grateful that we have now reached a stage where anyone can explain what our company does and what it aims to do."

Kim said, "I remember the sincere efforts of the team members who supported us during the early days of stumbling around with nothing. I am thankful to all the team members who have been with us until now, and I am also grateful for the many tasks that still lie ahead. The middle part of a game is often the most fun." She expressed her wish: "I don't expect overnight success, but I want to make progress every day. Going forward, I hope to grow steadily every day, week, month, and year."

She further shared, "Just as a baby who was only hoped to be healthy six months ago has grown significantly, I couldn't have imagined today's situation six years ago, so all the efforts we are making now feel meaningful and brilliant."

Additionally, Kim communicated through her interactions with fans that she is closing down her cookie business.

One fan asked, "As soon as I received the cookies, I was surprised by their weight and taste. I was very disappointed to hear about the closure news." In response, Kim said, "Looking back now, although I may appear cautious, I might actually be someone who just dives in without fully understanding things." She added, "Reflecting on ten years of business, anyone with even a basic understanding of business structure would have known that running a cookie business was not feasible."

Kim stated, "Even with high sales, we were operating at a loss." She explained, "Because we made them carefully and slowly, we used a lot of labor and kept purchasing ingredients like flour." She continued, "I believe there are no substitutes. There was truly nothing left over." She concluded, "Moving forward, I do not plan to engage in any business that involves direct food production."

Meanwhile, Kim married Oh Sang-jin in 2017, welcomed their first daughter in 2019, and gave birth to a second son last April.

Kim joined MBC as an announcer in 2012, resigned in 2017, and is currently operating her own personal brand. Recently, she successfully secured a 7 billion won investment from a well-known investment firm.

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*This content was translated by AI.