[Photo&] Paul Kim and Gabi Take the Stage: KBS Radio Gets a Serious Younger Makeover—Catching MZ-Gen Listeners

KBS Radio has rolled out a major overhaul aimed squarely at younger audiences. Leading the charge is 'Singer Paul Kim'. At a reorganization briefing held on the 11th at the KBS headquarters building in Yeouido, Seoul, a new outlook for 'KBS Radio Cool FM' was unveiled. Paul Kim, chosen as the new host of the noon flagship program 'Music Plaza' celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, hinted at an unexpected kind of charm beyond his signature sensibility. Calling himself a morning person, he said with confidence, "I will definitely wake up listeners during lunchtime." In particular, he expressed a strong determination to secure a booking with global superstar 'BTS V', signaling a seismic shift in the radio market at midday.

In the battle zone of 2 p.m., 'Gabi the dancer', known for her unmatched high energy, is taking the mic. Having grabbed the microphone for the newly launched program 'Super Radio', Gabi plans not only to fill the gap left by former host HaHa, but also to shake things up by naming herself 'the catfish of terrestrial radio' and sharing her ambitious vision. After undergoing harsh radio training from broadcaster Park Myung-soo, she said, based on a firm philosophy that "if the host is having fun, the listeners will have fun too," she is expected to become a key driving force for attracting new listener demographics. Her next moves—her plan to present a new paradigm for daytime radio—are drawing attention.

Opening the early morning at 5 a.m., 'Refreshing Mornings' is handled by 'Announcer Heo Yoo-won'. He carved out a path as an announcer with the sole goal of becoming a radio DJ, and he declared he would boldly break away from the standardized mold of existing announcers. Armed with her unique quirkiness and honesty, she plans to forge a strong bond with listeners on their way to work. Through this reorganization, KBS Radio has laid out a clear vision of 'Radio for the next generation'. Even amid the relentless headwinds of the new media era, the strategic bet is to maximize the fundamental appeal of radio—'communication and connection'—to captivate younger listeners.