On February 12, 2026, Kim Seon-tae, the creative force behind Chungju City’s wildly popular YouTube channel, ChungTV, submitted his resignation to the city’s personnel department, marking the end of an era for the city’s digital presence. Known affectionately as 'Chungju Man,' Kim has been a trailblazer in public sector digital communications, amassing nearly one million subscribers and redefining how local governments engage with their communities online. According to Chungju City officials, Kim’s resignation is currently being processed, and he has begun a long-term leave that will extend until February 28, after which he will officially step down from his post.
Kim’s decision caught many by surprise, but for those who have followed his journey, it feels like the culmination of a bold, unconventional chapter. "My goal was to reach one million subscribers, and I feel I’ve nearly achieved that," Kim told Yonhap News in a recent interview. He added, "I wanted to take on a new challenge, and that’s why I submitted my resignation." For Kim, the milestone of 970,000 subscribers represented not just personal achievement but also a transformation in how public information could be delivered—entertaining, relatable, and just a bit quirky.
Since taking the helm of ChungTV seven years ago, Kim has become a household name in Chungju and beyond. His approach? A blend of short, snappy content and what he calls 'B-grade' humor—think playful parodies, quick-witted editing, and a willingness to poke fun at himself and city life. As reported by JoongAng Ilbo, this offbeat style quickly set ChungTV apart from the typical, buttoned-up fare of government communications. The result: a subscriber base that ballooned to nearly a million, with fans spanning all ages and backgrounds.
Kim’s work has not only entertained but also inspired a shift in how public institutions across South Korea think about outreach. According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, Kim’s success with ChungTV has been cited as a pioneering example of transforming public sector publicity, showing that government messages can be both informative and genuinely fun. His knack for on-the-ground, relatable storytelling—often delivered with a wink—helped to broaden the channel’s appeal and keep viewers coming back for more.
On February 13, 2026, Kim posted a 36-second farewell video on ChungTV titled "Last Greeting." In it, he reflected on his decade of public service, including the seven years he spent as Chungju Man. "I am here to say goodbye after ten years in public service and seven years as Chungju Man," he said, his voice tinged with emotion. Kim went on to express his gratitude: "The reason I was able to succeed, despite my shortcomings, was thanks to the support of our subscribers. The seven years I spent with you were the happiest of my life." He didn’t forget to thank his fellow city employees and the citizens of Chungju, adding, "I sincerely thank the citizens of Chungju who cheered me on and my colleagues at city hall who always showed consideration. Please continue to love Chungju."
While Kim’s next steps are not set in stone, he has made it clear that his journey is far from over. In his conversation with Yonhap News, Kim shared, "Nothing is decided yet, but I plan to continue living in Chungju and want to try broadcasting or YouTube activities." He explained that pursuing new creative ambitions would be difficult within the confines of public office, which ultimately led him to his decision to resign. According to News1, there is speculation that Kim could be recruited by central government agencies or strike out as an independent YouTuber, leveraging the brand and style he honed at ChungTV.
The impact of Kim’s work is hard to overstate. ChungTV’s meteoric rise—fueled by its unique blend of humor, authenticity, and community focus—has been a case study in how to break the mold of government communication. As Kyunghyang Shinmun noted, Kim’s leadership brought national recognition to the channel, turning it into a model for other public organizations hoping to connect with citizens in more meaningful ways. The channel’s signature style—irreverent, yet always rooted in local pride—helped to humanize the city government, making it more approachable and relevant to everyday people.
City officials, while acknowledging the void Kim leaves behind, have expressed gratitude for his contributions and indicated that the resignation process will proceed according to standard procedures. "Since he expressed his intention to resign, we’ll handle it according to protocol," a Chungju City representative told Kyunghyang Shinmun. The city has not yet announced plans for the future of ChungTV or who might step into Kim’s shoes, but the expectation is that the channel will continue to play a vital role in connecting Chungju with its residents—and perhaps even try to maintain the momentum Kim started.
Kim’s story is also a lesson in the power of authenticity. His willingness to embrace a less polished, more relatable tone resonated with viewers in a way that few public sector campaigns have managed before. The so-called 'B-grade' sensibility—marked by self-deprecating jokes, playful editing, and a refusal to take things too seriously—proved that government messaging doesn’t have to be dull. Instead, it can be a source of community, laughter, and even pride.
As Kim prepares to embark on his next adventure, the legacy he leaves is already being felt. Other municipalities are taking note, experimenting with their own versions of digital storytelling and audience engagement. Whether Kim ends up joining a central government agency, launching his own YouTube channel, or pursuing yet another creative path, his influence is likely to ripple far beyond Chungju.
For the citizens of Chungju and the nearly one million fans of ChungTV, Kim’s departure is bittersweet. There’s excitement about what he might do next—will he become a national influencer, or perhaps reinvent himself once again?—but also a sense of gratitude for the years he spent making local government feel a little more human, a little more fun, and a lot more connected.
Whatever the future holds, Kim Seon-tae’s chapter as Chungju Man stands as a testament to the power of creativity, community, and the courage to try something different—even in the most unlikely of places.