DJ Kim leaves MBC after 34-year career

One of Korea’s oldest and most well-known DJs, Kim Kee-duck, 58, has retired from MBC after 34 years of service. Mr. Kim joined MBC in 1972 as an announcer. He officially retired on Sept. 19.
“My future is more important than my past. I have tried my best and I will do the same every moment in the future,” Mr. Kim said. “From now on, I am going to be more at ease meeting music fans as a DJ and messenger of pop music. And I will do it with greater passion,” he said.
Mr. Kim’s pop career began in 1973 when he started spinning music for a new radio music program called “Date at 2 o’clock,” while working as a TV announcer. Since leaving his announcer position permanently in 1979, he has concentrated on his DJ work and producing radio programs. Since 1997, he has starred on the “Golden Disk” program.
“There are still listeners who believe I am in my 20s to 30s,” Mr. Kim said. “Perhaps my voice hasn’t aged.
“I still can’t believe I’ve already reached retirement age. Time flies, indeed.”
Mr. Kim has continued as DJ for “Date at 2 o’clock” for 24 years and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records in 1994 for being the longest-lasting DJ at a single program. In 1996, he was given a “Golden Mouse Award” for running MBC radio programs for more than 20 years.
With his extensive knowledge of pop music, Mr. Kim made his name as a producer as well. He was often praised for widening the scope of FM radio broadcasting, and won an award in the radio production category at the 2004 Korea Broadcasting Awards.
Mr. Kim intends to continue as a DJ on a freelance basis after his retirement. He recently founded a pop music research institute, and intends to undertake research and write books.
“There won’t be much difference since I am going to continue broadcasting,” Mr. Kim said. “As long as audiences want to tune into my programs, I will keep producing them.”

by Hong Soo-hyun