As a legalist and author, 50 year-old lawyer Kim Hyung-jin, has led a very different life from his biological brother, Kim Hyung-goan who was a popular comedian until his death. He studied management at Seoul National University starting in 1982. During his college years, he was often on leave, participating in demonstrations. He went to the U.S for a master’s degree in management and also completed a program at a law school. He started his legal career at a law firm in Hollywood in 1996, specializing in cultural affairs.

He returned to Korea in 1998 to work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a trade specialist. His major task has been maintaining the screen quota system. He is also an author, having published books out of his own pocket. He recently released his 9th book, “Listen, Gangnam Nobles!” Residing in Seoul’s affluent Gangnam area, he felt the need to address the serious problem of Gangnam classism that favors the ’Nobles‘. This class imbalance has been brought about by the concentration of cultural resources in Gangnam and the prestigious education that the Nobles’ children receive.

In his book, he discusses a ‘Busing Policy’ from the U.S and wonders whether Korea could adopt such a policy. He said, “Since the 1970s, the U.S has been registering white children from wealthier classes in schools in poor areas where most residents are African Americans. This policy for social integration allows children from higher socio-economic classes to interact with the other while taking the buses to schools far away from home.”

Judging by the cover of his book, one may mistake him as an extreme leftist. In reality, he is a capitalist who believes in the theory of ideal education: equal educational opportunities can create an equal society whose demand and supply are balanced. He thinks that only education can result in social mobility.

Some question whether Kim himself belongs to the Gangnam Nobility. He responded, “Gangnam Nobles alienate others systematically in order to maintain their privileges. I, on the other hand, do not pursue the advantages of belonging to a certain class. I am an　ordinary citizen who doesn‘t have enough because I only write books that no one wants to read.”

(Translated by Kim Min-ji, Intern)　

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