Na Young-seok Reflects on His Departure from KBS

Na Young-seok (나영석), a prominent producer, candidly shared his feelings about leaving KBS during a recent appearance on the YouTube channel ‘Channel 15’ (채널십오야). In the episode titled ‘Missing My First Job, Those Days of NA,’ he returned to the KBS entertainment department for the first time in 13 years to film for ‘The Seasons - Lee Young-ji's Rainbow’ (더 시즌즈-이영지의 레인보우).

On the day of filming, Na remarked, "It feels like I'm really going to a schedule. My clothes are hanging, and I'm riding in a car driven by a junior from tvN on my way to KBS." When the production team referred to his return as a 'golden return' (금의환향), he humorously replied, "I’m not sure if it’s a golden return."

When asked if he ever thought about visiting KBS after resigning, Na reflected, "I don’t know if others who have changed jobs can relate, but I entered KBS thinking it would be my lifelong workplace. I was determined to work hard and dedicate myself here."

He continued, "This might be a difficult part to broadcast, but I was genuinely happy while working at KBS. I learned a lot and met many wonderful colleagues, which made my time enjoyable. Although it was physically demanding, it was also a time filled with passion and motivation in my 30s and 40s."

Na revealed that after moving to tvN, he would often drive by KBS, saying, "Honestly, after moving to tvN, I would sometimes drive around KBS after work without getting out of the car. I lived in Hapjeong at the time, and I would make excuses to stop by, pretending it was a coincidence. I would even schedule meetings near KBS just to run into my seniors. It’s funny to think about those actions."

When the production team inquired about feelings of nostalgia or regret, Na expressed, "I think it’s nostalgia. It was a workplace I had a lot of affection for, and I miss the people there, but reaching out to meet them felt a bit awkward since I had already moved on. It’s like I divorced, but I still get along with my in-laws."

He added, "When I see my former colleagues, it feels a bit different than before. I’ve made new friends at my current job, so I don’t see them as often. But if I go back to KBS, I would still see the seniors who taught me and the juniors I mentored."

When asked if he still feels a connection to KBS, Na stated, "It’s one-sided. I have nostalgia, but since I left, I just keep it to myself."

In closing, Na shared a poignant memory: "You know what’s the saddest part about leaving a company? After leaving KBS, I went back for something, and the parking barrier wouldn’t lift. I was so flustered. I had to return my employee ID, and when I did, the staff member said, ‘You worked hard, take this as a memento.’ I still have it at home."