[Exclusive]"If you do well 100 times but make one mistake, it's over." Park Gyeong-rim, the "National MC" who has remained at the top for 30 years [Founding 22 ★ FULL Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Interview with Park Kyung-rim to commemorate StarNews' 22nd anniversary

The highest praise bestowed upon a host has now transcended even the moniker "Yoo Jae-suk of the events industry." Broadcaster Park Kyung-rim (47) has firmly etched her own unique brand, "Park Kyung-rim," through her irreplaceable hosting prowess.

Park Gyeong-rim was once again selected as the MC award winner at the "2026 Brand of the Year Awards" this year. This marks her fourth consecutive Yeon Sok (수상), further proving her established position in a genuine and recognized manner. The "Brand of the Year Awards," organized by the Korea Consumer Forum, is a prestigious ceremony that determines the top brand in each category through direct public voting by consumers.

This clearly demonstrated her status as a "national MC" who enjoys deep trust from the public. In an interview conducted to mark StarNews's 22nd anniversary, Park Kyung-rim revealed her class with sincere and genuine remarks befitting a renowned MC of nearly 29 years in the industry.

Park Gyeong-rim said, "Since I naturally had no expectations of winning from the start, I truly never imagined I would receive the award for four consecutive years. That is why I am even more grateful."

He joked, "But since I've received it for four consecutive years, I naturally started expecting a fifth consecutive award," yet he humbly added, "The reason I received the award is not due to any special reason; rather, having done this work for so long has naturally built the MC brand of Park Kyung-rim, leading to the trust that 'one can rely on and entrust the hosting duties to her.'"

Despite firmly maintaining a unique position with no real substitute in the event circuit, her humility remains impressive. Park Kyung-rim began by taking over film industry events starting with the production report conference for "Dad Loves Women" at the end of 2009, and now she dominates various stages across genres and media, from broadcaster dramas and variety shows to domestic and international OTT platforms.

However, Park Kyung-rim stated, "While I appreciate the praise, I try not to take it too deeply because I know there is more to it. I am well aware that even if one performs perfectly 100 times, failing once means failure. Therefore, rather than getting intoxicated by good words, I focus on what I must do," revealing her solid inner strength.

He said, "I too have had periods of struggling and ups and downs that continue to this day. I face conflicts every day, worry constantly, and feel a sense of inadequacy. In my view, work is like that. Rather than making grand plans like 'I will do this for another 10 years,' I simply strive to give my best each day. Those days accumulate into months, then years, and eventually decades. I believe that by reflecting on each day and living with focus in the moment, we can better welcome the next 10 years. When I was younger and naive, I aspired to be a certain kind of person, but it didn't turn out exactly as I had imagined. Therefore, I believe that simply living steadily and diligently every day is what matters most."

She also spun the ball toward fans, offering a glimpse into her secret to longevity. Park Gyeong-rim said, "Dear fans, thank you for allowing me to be by your side. Haven't you been giving me a place beside you for a long time? In the future, I will strive even harder to become an MC who stays right next to that precious spot and becomes a good friend."

Especially this year, Park Kyung-rim finally returned to the embrace of audiences, bringing joy. She took on the role of a host leading the conversation at a talk concert bearing her name for the first time in seven years, showcasing her true stage presence.

Park Kyung-rim, the "first choice" for MC bookings, enjoys the trust and affection of top stars and industry insiders, but her roots remain firmly on talk concert stages where she communicates closely with audiences. While talk concerts by broadcasters and comedians have now become familiar content, Park Kyung-rim was the pioneer who first opened this stage. In 1999, she launched Korea's first talk concert in Daehangno, opening a new horizon. From then on, through "Women's Private Lives Season 1: New Cheating Women," "Season 2: Successful Women," "Season 3: No(?) Manic Women," and up to the "Listen Concert," every season continued its sell-out streak.

Park Kyung-rim recalled the beginning of a legend, saying, "I held my first talk concert in Daehak-ro in 1999, and back then, the reason was simply envy toward singers. When you go to the performance venues of Yang-pa or Lee Moon-se, the audience members are so happy. It was enviable that everyone became one through songs. I had a strong desire to meet the audience directly, but I am not a singer. With a pure wish to communicate, I thought it would be good for an MC like me to share some stories, which is how I started."

As Park Kyung-rim went through marriage in 2007 and childbirth in 2009, her talk concerts gained even greater depth. Park said, "After getting married and having a child, when I held talk concerts, I wanted to gather people who were exhausted from childcare so they could enjoy themselves and relieve their stress. That way, we held the series annually, including 'New Windy Women,' 'Successful Women,' 'Romantic Women,' and 'Listen Concert.' However, when COVID-19 broke out, audiences could no longer gather, and as I focused more on hosting events, a long gap occurred."

As this was the first talk concert planned in seven years, it welcomed audiences with a performance that offered "a different level of support." Park Gyeong-rim's sixth talk concert is titled "Life Level." It carries a warm message of comfort: "In life's marathon, what matters most is not the record, but a sip of water (hydration) taken along the way."

Park Gyeong-rim explained the planning intent, saying, "At this point in time, while pondering what people today might need, I decided on 'Life Grading.' If we compare life to a marathon, it is important not only to run well but also to rest well so that we can achieve the finish line we aim for. There could be burnout along the way, and I wanted to have a healthy battle with oneself, which is why I chose this title."

Park Kyung-rim has already successfully concluded a total of four performances, with two shows each in Daegu and Seoul on August 15 and 30. With a rich lineup, she demonstrated the quintessential example of an 'audience-participation' performance, offering viewers a deeply memorable experience worth every penny of their ticket price.

Park Gyeong-rim emphasized, "No matter how much our team meets and prepares well, the biggest portion of filling my talk concert is the 'audience.' The audience is the most fundamental element. While I am grateful that the audience trusts me and comes to see me, I trust our audience even more. A talk concert where I communicate fully with the audience is what I pursue."

How did it feel to face fans after a long time? Park Gyeong-rim said, "There were people who made the effort to come from far away, and others who broke their weekly hiking routine just to attend. In that sense, I felt an even greater sense of responsibility and wondered how I could repay them for taking such precious time out of their lives. Watching the audience enjoy what I had prepared gave me a tremendous amount of energy. People of all ages attended—from children to young adults to seniors—and seeing them happy and empathizing with my performance truly made me joyful. It was also a necessary time for me." She was moved by the experience.

Park Gyeong-rim also shared that her high school sophomore son, who attended the Daegu concert, told her, "Mom, you worked hard," and her husband said, "Now I understand why you wanted to do a talk show so much."

Park Gyeong-rim received top-tier support from her close celebrity colleagues. At the first Seoul leg of the talk concert, singers Lee Moon-se and Lee Soo-young were spotted in the audience, surprising the crowd. Additionally, actors Yoon Kyung-ho and Yoo Hae-jin joined as special guests on the Daegu and Seoul stages, respectively.

In particular, at the end of the performance, when Park Kyung-rim sang Lee Moon-se's "Red Sunset," Lee Soo-young jumped onto the stage and performed an energetic dance. Regarding this incident, Park Kyung-rim shared a behind-the-scenes story: "(I) knew that Soo-young would be coming that day, but it was not a pre-arranged performance on stage. I was surprised when someone came out from the audience. 'Who is coming out?' As I watched, they got closer and closer, and I realized it was Soo-young. I thought, 'She couldn't contain her excitement.' I was so grateful inside that she danced with me."

Not only that, she was also unaware of the visit by Lee Moon-se, the original singer of "Red Sunset." Park Gyeong-rim stated, "If I had known he was coming, I would have passed him the microphone when singing 'Red Sunset.' I only realized it after finishing my performance on stage, when I noticed someone in the audience who resembled (Lee) Moon-se and looked closely. Older brother Moon-se came without telling me so as not to make me feel burdened. He gave me warm words such as, 'The concert arrangement and structure were excellent, and seeing you connect with the audience was very fulfilling. It seems like you are in the right place. I look forward to your future work.' These kind words moved me greatly."

Park Kyung-rim's talk concert is now just one performance away, with the final Busan second show scheduled for October 24. Park said, "This concert was arranged to offer a message of 'thank you for your hard work' to the audience who have supported us so far. If walking feels too difficult, we hope you will come and share water, laugh together, chat freely, and spend time cheering each other on," she added to prospective audience members.

The "Life-Grade" concert in Busan will be held at the Woori Bank Hall, Sohyang Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on October 24 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from this talk concert is scheduled to be donated for children's hospital wards.

Since the end of 2009, it has been a full 17 years since Park Kyung-rim dominated entertainment event stages. This also signifies the time she has spent illuminating countless works and numerous actors. Therefore, one might expect her to take center stage at a talk concert bearing her name, but Park Kyung-rim chose to willingly cede the spotlight to the audience.

Unlike typical talk concerts organized around the host, we posed a primal question to Park Kyung-rim: "Don't you want to be the protagonist?" In reality, while Park Kyung-rim is a successful host, her activities are primarily centered on event venues, leading her to frequently hear inquiries such as, "Why aren't you appearing on TV these days?"

Park Kyung-rim reflected on the past 29 years, revealing a deep side of herself as she rekindled her original intentions. She said, "I have been fortunate to receive much help since I was young. There were many times when I was the protagonist, so much so that I didn't even realize it or think about it. Thanks to that, I believe I had the opportunity to show a lot in a short period of time. However, as I received more spotlight and love, I felt that I should not be greedy. Just as I achieved my dream thanks to the help of many people, although I cannot provide such great help myself, I want to send my support for your dreams. I want to continue to applaud the lives of those who have lived hard rather than wishing to be the protagonist. And aren't we all already the protagonists of our own lives?" Her words left a heavy resonance.

He said, "My direction has also changed now. In the past, I truly had nothing but dreams. As a result, my only desire was to make those dreams come true. Eventually, I managed to achieve each of those dreams one by one, but looking back, there is no way I could have done it alone. There were undoubtedly countless people who helped me along the way. That is why I now have a strong wish to become one of those many people who offer help within others' lives. The talk concert is also part of that sentiment."

At events such as the production report meeting, Park Gyeong-rim is seen meticulously attending to every detail, describing the occasion as "a gathering prepared for a work that someone has spent 10 years preparing for," while pouring forth sincerity comparable to that of the producers. She stated, "As the time I have spent with the production team, relevant officials, and actors has grown longer, their true feelings become increasingly clear. Since I have typically hosted events for their previous works as well, their sincerity resonates deeply with me. While the scale of each work may differ, isn't the size of the creators' souls all the same? That depth is so palpable that when I host these events, I feel I absolutely cannot treat them lightly. Not only do I feel this way, but our stylist also works hard to prepare and endure." She expressed this poignant sense of camaraderie among colleagues.

She also shared her reflections on approaching the 30th anniversary of her debut next year. Park Kyung-rim said, "When I was young, I thought it was amazing to see people holding 30th-anniversary dinner shows, but now that I have reached this milestone myself, I feel like I haven't done much. I simply started this career because the hosting suited me well, and with good timing and the help of many people, I have been able to reach this point. Because I know it wasn't my own merit that led to this success, I am deeply grateful. I do not know how long I will continue beyond the 30th anniversary, but I will do my best with every opportunity given and work hard."

He continued, "I have come this far with a single dream, without any clear direction or end, to the point where it might seem 'reckless' in some ways. As a result, my 30s were a period of identity confusion. I kept asking myself, 'How should I live?' and 'What should I do?' When I gave birth to a child at age 30 and tried to balance parenting with work, I felt like I wasn't even doing well as a mother. However, during that time of immense turmoil, an opportunity arose. Since every movie event meant I would be handed a microphone regardless, I approached it with gratitude, which is how I got here. Because this was an opportunity that came after experiencing such confusion, I truly worked hard and did my best. Now, I believe the time has come to take responsibility appropriate for my age. It is neither the reckless 20s when I was young nor the confusing 30s; as I enter my late 40s, I feel I must take greater responsibility for everything I say and do. Therefore, I am thinking more deeply and striving to expand with greater caution," pledging his relentless dedication.

Park Gyeong-rim is currently living a non-stop busy life. Following her participation in the first season of SBS audition variety show "Our Ballads," she has joined the second season, which is set to premiere on October 5 at 10 p.m. She concluded her cheerful interview by saying, "I am meeting you again through 'Our Ballads 2.' Since I usually host production press conferences, people seem to think I don't do broadcasting anymore, but that is not the case at all. I welcome any program at any time and am eagerly waiting."

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*This content was translated by AI.