YouTuber Kim Sun-tae. [Newsis]
YouTuber Kim Sun-tae. [Newsis]

Kim Sun-tae, the YouTuber known as "Chungju Man," has launched an entertainment agency.

Kim established ST Studio Co. and completed registration as a popular culture and arts planning business with North Chungcheong Province on Tuesday.

ST Studio was founded with capital of 5 million won ($3,720), with Kim serving as both chief executive and the sole registered in-house director.

The company's stated business purposes include operating an entertainment and talent agency, producing and distributing digital content, and producing and distributing broadcast programs and films.

Observers have suggested Kim set up the company to support his own activities, given that he has worked without an agency throughout his career.

Kim had ambitiously pursued a broadcast television debut in July, taking on the sole MC role for the KBS web variety show "Donsuntae's Age of Success," but became embroiled in controversy after prompting RESCENE member Wonie — the show's first guest — to use a phrase associated with the far-right online community Ilbe. Kim decided to step down before the first episode even aired. In an apology video, Kim said, "Because I had been working alone without an outside agency, the production process was not smooth and I had difficulty communicating with the production team."

Kim built his national profile running "ChungTV," the official YouTube channel of Chungju. After leaving public service in February, he launched his personal YouTube channel in March and began working independently. As of Wednesday, his personal channel has about 1.62 million subscribers.


paq@heraldcorp.com