On Thursday, May 4, I visited Kroma Entertainment's office in Apgujeong-dong, where team members were busy planning and producing content. I met CEO Kim Yo-han, who led <Godae Baekgwa>, to discuss behind-the-scenes production, startup structure, and the future of content business.

Q1. Hello, CEO. Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Hello. I'm Kim Yo-han, a Korea University Media School alumnus and CEO of Kroma Entertainment ('Kroma'). We're a media agency of creators in their 20s and 30s producing ads, CFs, promos, web variety, web dramas, mobile, and original content — like chroma bringing vivid color to light.

▲ Kim Yo-han, CEO of Kroma Entertainment

Q2. What do you see as Kroma's differentiators?

Many crews and small teams make video, but we're among the first young creators to rapidly grow into a corporate entity. Our differentiators include broad partnerships and ongoing original content investment.

▲ Kroma Entertainment Logo / Photo provided by Kroma Entertainment

Q3. In the media and broadcasting field, most people prepare for the 'Eonron-gosi' (broadcasting entrance exam). Why did you choose to start a media startup instead?

As a freelance PD at KBS, Naver, and CJ ENM, I felt broadcasters follow rigid templates. I left to try content without those frames — starting with five people, now about 16 including PDs, writers, and designers.

Q4. Any memorable episodes from your time at Korea University's campus broadcasting station?

As KUBS station head, I developed YouTube content to represent Korea University — including a 1M+ view Korea-Yonsei cheer acapella, Mamma Mia! 2 cover, web drama, and healing docs. KUBS is now the top search result with 36K subscribers.

▲ Source: YouTube / Korea Univ. x Yonsei Univ. School Song Acappella Medley Cover Video

/ KUBS / July 25, 2019

Q5. How do you think your undergraduate experiences have influenced your current media business?

The media market has no single answer — hits are unpredictable and past formulas do not guarantee views. KUBS projects, film collaborations, and relocating the campus media center gave me confidence to build a new organization.

Q6. Could you introduce representative Kroma content, especially media education?

We run ~30-hour media education for students and job seekers through the Ministry of Employment's creator training program — planning, directing, shooting, editing, and marketing.

On Studio Mango we produce agriculture education videos introducing AI farming tech to change outdated perceptions of the field.

▲ Source: YouTube /The Real Reason KakaoTalk Was Named Kakao | Han Tae-woong's Food Truck /

Studio Mango / January 6, 2023

With MCST we curate classic film content uncovering aesthetics and cultural trends, uploaded on the Korean Film Archive YouTube channel.

With the Ministry of Education and KBS Announcer Bureau, we produce Korean language education where announcers teach children live for ~40 minutes with real-time comments on the private channel 'Hello Our Language, Hearts Closer.'

Q7. <Godae Baekgwa> with Korea University's teaching center was well received — what's the intent and future plan?

Knowledge content is trending in short-form YouTube — we planned high-quality lectures with Korea University's leading professors, holding 2-hour pre-production meetings on hooks and structure.

We plan ~15 more <Godae Baekgwa> episodes, possibly adding three students per lecture to increase participation.

▲ Source: YouTube / Godaebaekgwa EP 03 | Professor Cho Young-hun / Korea University / February 28, 2023

Q8. What do you prioritize when planning and producing content?

Making content well matters most — good work finds audiences on any platform. Self-objectivity and peer feedback are key; we always ask 'would I watch this?' and revise weak points.

Finally, content needs a 'beat' — a differentiation point like 360° VR or new formats. Even failures have value as experiments.

Q9. What is your vision for the future of the content business and your future plans?

“Regarding the future of the content market rather than the content itself, I believe the era of production agencies is coming. Even now, major networks are decreasing in-house production and increasing collaboration with external production companies. In an era where anyone with an idea can freely create videos, securing core content IPs will become a significant competitive advantage. Naturally, the value and competitiveness of productions with excellent IPs will rise.”

We're securing original IP long-term — short film <Heat>, <Pre-X> for 40–50s audiences, and future content for middle-aged media literacy.

I want to keep producing while studying media further in graduate school and expanding media education's positive social impact.

* Kim Yo-hanKim Yo-han graduated from Korea University Media School, worked as a freelance PD at KBS, CJ ENM, and NAVER, and now leads Kroma Entertainment — a content planning expert and photographer always seeking distinctive, standout ideas.

Source: Education News (http://kuen.korea.ac.kr)