On February 13, 2026, the digital landscape of South Korea’s local government took a dramatic turn as Kim Seon-tae—better known to fans as ‘Chungju Man’—announced his resignation from public service in a heartfelt farewell video posted on the official Chungju City YouTube channel. After a decade as a civil servant and seven years at the helm of Chungju’s social media revolution, Kim’s departure marks the end of an era that redefined what government outreach can look like in the age of viral content.
Kim’s video, titled ‘Last Greetings,’ was as much a thank-you letter as it was a goodbye. "The little success I was able to achieve, despite my shortcomings, was entirely thanks to the support of our subscribers," he said, his words resonating with the nearly one million followers who turned Chungju City’s YouTube presence into a national phenomenon. He didn’t stop there, extending his gratitude to the citizens of Chungju and his colleagues at city hall. "The seven years I spent with you were the happiest of my life," Kim reflected, a sentiment echoed in interviews and media coverage across the country (as reported by 천지일보 and 스포츠서울).
The news of Kim’s resignation, while sudden, was not entirely without precedent. He had become a household name for his unconventional, sometimes irreverent approach to city promotion—eschewing the stiff, formal style typical of municipal channels in favor of what he called a "B-grade sensibility." This meant quirky edits, self-deprecating humor, and content that wasn’t afraid to poke fun at bureaucracy. The result? Chungju’s official channel, ‘ChungTV,’ amassed a subscriber base that dwarfed those of other local governments, with the count surpassing 970,000 by late 2025, according to multiple outlets including 월요신문 and 천지일보.
Kim’s rise within Chungju City Hall was as meteoric as his digital fame. Appointed to the New Media team in 2018, he quickly became the face of the city’s digital outreach efforts. His innovative approach didn’t go unnoticed by his superiors; by the end of 2023, he’d been promoted to level 6 after just seven years—a rare feat in the notoriously hierarchical world of Korean public service. His influence even spilled over into mainstream media, with appearances on TV programs like MBC’s ‘Omniscient Viewpoint’ and ‘Radio Star,’ where he openly discussed both his rapid promotion and the challenges of balancing public service with newfound celebrity.
Yet, for all his success, Kim’s departure highlights the inherent limitations of public sector work—especially for those who become stars in their own right. As 월요신문 reported, Kim had previously spoken candidly about the financial constraints faced by civil servants, noting, "One reason public servants dream of quitting is financial treatment." Despite receiving job offers from private companies promising two or even three times his government salary, Kim remained loyal to Chungju—at least until now. He revealed his annual net salary was about 40 million KRW, and in early 2026 disclosed a pre-tax income of around 57 million KRW when including YouTube and appearance fees. However, he lamented that wage increases hadn’t kept pace with inflation, particularly for junior officials: "I’m fine, but the problem is with lower-ranking public officials. Their salaries haven’t risen enough compared to the cost of living," he explained on a YouTube channel earlier this year.
Speculation inevitably swirled around the timing of Kim’s resignation. Was it linked to the recent departure of former Mayor Jo Gil-hyeong? Kim was quick to dispel the rumors. In an interview with iMBC연예, he stated unequivocally, "There is no truth to that whatsoever. I have no interest in political activities." He further clarified that his decision was motivated by a desire for new challenges, saying, "I feel I have achieved the goals I set for myself with YouTube over the past seven years, so I wanted to try something different." He emphasized that his future plans remain undecided, but one thing is certain: "I will not engage in politics."
Chungju City officials, for their part, were caught off guard by Kim’s sudden decision. According to city sources cited by 스포츠서울 and 월요신문, Kim submitted his resignation to the personnel department on February 12 and immediately began using his remaining annual leave. The city confirmed that while his resignation letter had not yet been processed, the procedures would be followed as required. "It was sudden and unexpected," a city representative admitted, adding that efforts are underway to find a successor and minimize any disruption to the city’s digital operations.
Kim’s own words suggest he had been contemplating this move for some time. In past interviews, he hinted that he would retire upon reaching one million subscribers, a milestone the channel is now tantalizingly close to. Even after a video parodying Tiger Woods surpassed two million views, Kim stood firm: "My intention to retire hasn’t changed." He also clarified that his retirement meant leaving public service at Chungju City, not leaving the city itself. On MBC’s ‘Radio Star,’ he explained, "Retirement isn’t about leaving Chungju, but about wanting to land softly within the city or move to another department." He even touched on the political tightrope he walked as a public figure, noting, "There’s a risk of being seen as aligned with the mayor, even though I’m not. That can be a problem."
The public’s response to Kim’s announcement has been a mix of disappointment and support. Social media was awash with comments like, "He’s leaving before hitting a million subscribers," and "It’s so sad." Others took a more optimistic view: "He’s leaving at the right time," and "I hope he finds even greater success elsewhere." Chungju City, meanwhile, has pledged to keep the YouTube channel running smoothly during the transition, with plans to appoint a new manager soon.
As for Kim, he’s keeping his cards close to his chest. "I haven’t decided on my next steps yet. I want to take some time to figure out what I’m really good at," he told iMBC연예. What’s clear is that his legacy will be felt for years to come. He revolutionized the way local governments connect with their citizens, proving that a little humor, creativity, and authenticity can go a long way—even in the most unlikely of places.
Kim Seon-tae’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful public service happens not behind a desk, but in front of a camera—where one person’s vision can inspire a whole city to see itself in a new light.