Discovering his creative instincts at KU and with his friends

After taking Korea’s College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) several times, Kim finally secured his place at KU. He relished campus life to the fullest for about six months. He then quickly began balancing part-time work with his studies, aiming to be financially self-reliant. “Due to my late start at school, taking a timeout wasn’t an option for me. I had dreams of becoming part of a campus couple and strolling along the campus’s Squirrel Path, but that opportunity never came my way (laughs). When I wasn’t attending classes, I primarily worked part-time at a private institute and dedicated myself to my studies, aiming to secure academic scholarships.”

Although he seldom participated in extracurricular activities, he was a student who frequently became the topic of conversation among his peers. His dancing, singing, and oratory skills, showcased during various class presentations and events like retreats, left a lasting impression. It was around this time that a voice stirred within him. “During the 2018 Ipselenti, when everyone in the crowd leapt simultaneously to Psy’s songs, I thought, ‘I want to be someone who can move people in the same way.’ That moment is still etched in my memory.”

Before long, an opportunity arose. A friend encouraged him to enter the 2nd “Show Me Creativity” video content competition, hosted by the Campus Cultural League (CCL). He quickly repurposed the videos that his friends had made and submitted the result under the title “Crazy Campus Life of a Student Who Entered KU After Taking CSAT 5 Times.” Despite the rushed preparation and modest expectations, the outcome was astounding. The video clinched the grand prize, became the talk of online communities the very next day, and accumulated 150,000 views on YouTube within just two days. This marked the beginning of his journey as a content creator.

The secret to becoming a flexible yet resilient YouTuber

Following his initial success, Kim launched a YouTube channel called “mi3nu,” where he published a diverse range of educational content. In particular, he tapped into Korean society’s widespread empathy towards those preparing for the college entrance exams, capitalizing on his own experiences of sitting for them five times. “In today’s Korea, many parents are deeply committed to their children’s education. My own parents relocated from Geochang to Seoul, enabling me to attend a prestigious high school and private cram schools in Daechi-dong. The experiences I had during that time—enjoying studying, navigating the highs and lows, and feeling envy towards others—have left indelible marks on my life. These experiences serve as a foundation for me to create content that is both universally relatable and uniquely personal.”

The “mi3nu” channel presents a wide array of content, such as Street Match Challenge, where math problems are solved on the streets, Determiner of Good Students, which identifies diligent students in study rooms and cram schools, and Hell Study, which directly aids test-takers in improving their grades. The channel sets itself apart with its inventive variations in content, refusing to stick to a safe, predictable format. This underscores Kim’s efforts to avoid complacency. “Korea’s college admissions system differs from the Western model, making it an unfamiliar topic to some. As a result, I constantly think about how to weave popular elements like music, fitness, and food into my unique style. For example, Street Math Challenge was inspired by health-related content. Accordingly, it has sparked more buzz than the original content, leading me to travel across the country to film it.”

“My aim is to bring laughter and a sense of shared experience to those who study in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow and to those grappling with challenges along the way.”

Creating educational content that offers comfort and empathy

His interests extend beyond CSAT. Programs like CSAT God, which features interviews with students preparing for the exam, Mi3saeng, where he steps into the shoes of a new employee at a large company, and Career of Inquiry, where he interviews individuals from various professions, enjoy popularity among subscribers in their 20s and 30s. The channel’s themes are continually expanding to include the various facets of education that evolve throughout one’s life. “As a teenager, I believed that studying for college entrance was everything, but a harsher reality awaits beyond that. Mi3saeng is a series that aims to make this transition process more enjoyable. Just as we talk about ‘lifelong education,’ it feels natural for the educational scope of my channel to broaden.”

With its 1.5 million subscribers, the “mi3nu” channel’s ultimate goal is to provide sincere support to those who are studying. This stems from a deep understanding of the struggles and effort involved in the journey to success. “I aspire to capture the stories of individuals who are striving for a better life. There are countless people across various fields who are endeavoring to elevate their own lives. I aim to offer laughter and empathy to those who study in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow and those facing challenges along the way.”

In 2024, Kim hopes to expand his activities beyond YouTube to television and OTT platforms. Drawing on his experience of transforming the challenge of taking CSAT multiple times into informative and humorous content, he continues to dream and create as a content creator who seamlessly blends information and entertainment.