Kang Ji-young's Freelance Leap: A New Era in Korean Media

The Freelance Wave in Korean Media

Kang Ji-young's departure from JTBC after 14 years reflects a growing trend of Korean media professionals opting for freelance careers to pursue creative freedom.
Her April 2025 resignation followed years of building credibility through programs like 'Newsroom' and 'Different Class,' with colleagues describing it as 'a regular workplace resignation letter' .
This mirrors the 2024 move of MBC's Kim Dae-ho, who successfully transitioned to variety shows like 'Problematic Men of the Rooftop' .

Rooftop Revelations: KBS Debut Sparks Rivalry

The May 14 episode of KBS's 'Problematic Men of the Rooftop' showcased Kang's first post-JTBC appearance, where she revealed her severance pay details and ambition to 'visit KBS frequently.'
Co-guest Kim Dae-ho offered mixed advice: 'Take it slow' while simultaneously dominating screen time himself .
Viewers noted the subtle competition, with Naver bloggers calling it 'a masterclass in career reinvention' (Naver Blog 'everythingstair').

Community Reactions: From Support to Skepticism

Theqoo users debated whether 'JTBC lost a gem or dodged a bullet,' while DC Inside memes compared Kang to 'a trainee leaving the Big 3.'
PGR21 analysts highlighted her 2023 YouTube appearance on 'Yo Jeongjae-hyung' where she first hinted at freelance aspirations .
FM Korea threads speculated about potential endorsements, noting her 1.2M Instagram following.

Cultural Crossroads: Stability vs. Autonomy

Kang's move embodies South Korea's shifting work values among millennials - 63% of 30-somethings now prioritize self-actualization over job security (2025 Korea Labor Institute).
Blogger 'rozz0697' observed: 'She's trading news desks for viral moments, like Kim Dae-ho's transformation from newsreader to variety gold.'
This trend challenges traditional media hierarchies, with Daum commenters noting 'the new power of personal brands over corporate titles.'

The Variety Show Gambit

Kang's KBS debut follows the proven path of announcers like Jang Sung-kyu, who quadrupled earnings through freelance variety appearances.
However, Nate Pann critics warn: 'For every success story, there are five forgotten ex-anchors.'
Insiders cite her sharp wit on 'Ssuljun Live' as proof of variety potential, while Naver's 'kiriririn' blog questions if she can 'balance credibility with entertainment.'

Future Prospects & Industry Impact

With 78% of broadcasters now offering freelance contracts (2025 KBS White Paper), Kang's journey could redefine celebrity journalism.
Theqoo polls show 41% support her move, 33% predict a comeback to mainstream news, and 26% expect YouTube ventures.
As Instiz users phrase it: 'She's not leaving media - she's becoming the media.'