Kim Junsu, who has expanded his career from idol singer to musical actor and company CEO, will share candid stories about balancing multiple roles during his appearance on MBC’s ‘Radio Star.’ The January 28 episode of the talk show will feature Kim alongside chef Jung Ho-young, chef Sam Kim, and musical actress Jung Sun-ah in a special themed broadcast centered on close professional partnerships.
From Idol to Musical Actor
During the show, Kim reflects on his early days transitioning into musical theater at a time when skepticism surrounded idol-turned-actors. Jung Sun-ah, a longtime colleague and close friend, recalls how Kim remained focused and committed to proving himself through performance rather than reputation. Her account highlights Kim’s determination to establish credibility on stage despite initial doubts from the industry.
Wearing Two Hats: Performer and CEO
Kim also speaks openly about his experiences running a company while continuing his work as a performer. According to Jung Sun-ah, casual remarks Kim made while expressing workplace expectations unexpectedly led to moments where staff responded with unusual formality prompting laughter in the studio as Kim realized how easily words can be interpreted differently when spoken by a company head. The moment sparked a lighthearted discussion about leadership, communication, and the unintended distance that can form between executives and employees, with Kim admitting that the situation caught him off guard.
Still an Idol at Heart
Despite his many professional roles, Kim’s background as an idol remains evident. During the broadcast, he spontaneously joins a dance challenge, demonstrating that his stage instincts and energy are very much intact. His performance drew enthusiastic reactions from the hosts and fellow guests.
Longtime Partnerships and Musical Stories
Kim also explains why Jung Sun-ah became the first actor signed to his company, citing their long-standing trust and shared experiences in musical theater. Their easy, sibling-like chemistry adds warmth to the conversation, including an anecdote about Kim nervously receiving direct feedback from Jung during his first musical production.
Behind the scenes stories from productions such as ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Aladdin’ further reveal Kim’s approach to performance, including his unexpected preference for iced Americano over traditional vocal care routines before shows.
Where to Watch
Kim Junsu’s appearance on ‘Radio Star’ airs on January 28 at 10:30 p.m. KST on MBC, offering viewers a closer look at his life across music, theater, and leadership.
Editor’s Insights: Kim Junsu’s Multi-Hyphenate Mastery
Kim Junsu’s appearance on ‘Radio Star’ serves as a fascinating study of the “Idol-to-Executive” pipeline that is currently redefining Hallyu career longevity. While many first-generation idols struggle to maintain relevance, Junsu has strategically leveraged his early skeptics as fuel to become a “bankable” pillar of the Korean musical scene. His candidness about being an “old-school CEO” (Kkondae) reveals a refreshing shift in celebrity branding—moving away from the untouchable “mystique” of his TVXQ days toward a more human, relatable leadership style. This transparency, combined with his high-stakes artistic risks in productions like ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Aladdin’, underscores a deliberate effort to diversify his portfolio before his rumored hiatus following his upcoming June 2026 album, ‘Gravity.’
From an editorial perspective, the chemistry between Junsu and Jung Sun-ah highlights the importance of “Trust-Based Recruiting” in the entertainment industry. By signing Sun-ah as his agency’s first artist and doubling guarantees for his actors, Junsu is positioning Palmtree Island as a boutique powerhouse that prioritizes performer welfare over rapid expansion. As we track his 2026 activities, the narrative focus is shifting toward his “Last Solo Chapter” with the announcement of his fifth studio album. Whether Gravity is truly his final musical project or simply another “comma” in his career, Junsu has successfully built an infrastructure where he no longer needs to be the “idol” to remain the “center”—proving that in the modern entertainment economy, owning the company is the ultimate power move.