Seoul, South Korea – AfreecaTV streamer Kim Si Won, former member of the girl group GLAM, surprised her fans by announcing her retirement from streaming. In a handwritten letter shared with her followers, Kim Si Won expressed her gratitude and explained her decision to leave the streaming industry.
Kim Si Won began her letter by thanking her fans and stating her intention to step away from streaming permanently. She revealed, “I didn’t know how to start saying this because I kept this to myself until now but I think it’s best if I share what’s on my mind sincerely and honestly.” She acknowledged that it took some time to put her thoughts into words, rewriting the letter multiple times.
The streamer mentioned that her sixth anniversary stream on May 1st was supposed to be her last, indicating that some people may have anticipated her departure due to the challenges she faced. However, she wanted to give her all until the end and avoid any regrets.
Kim Si Won went on to provide insight into the reasons behind her retirement, explaining that she couldn’t fully express herself through streaming and found it difficult to bring closure. She expressed feeling tired due to various factors that accumulated over time, particularly the criticism she faced from people who were once supportive. Despite the curiosity surrounding her decision, she made it clear that she didn’t want to offer numerous excuses and hoped to focus on the positive memories.
The streamer concluded her letter by stating that it would be her final announcement and expressing her gratitude to everyone. She anticipated that some readers might feel disappointed, angry, sad, or relieved, but she wanted to emphasize her decision to leave the streaming world permanently.
Throughout her letter, Kim Si Won also took the chance to express her appreciation towards those who had been part of her streaming career. She acknowledged the initial challenges she faced as a new BJ (broadcast jockey/streamer) but praised the support she received from an array of people, acknowledging the interesting and wonderful individuals she got to know through broadcasting.
Kim Si Won’s career has had its share of controversy and legal issues. In 2014, she faced legal troubles after secretly recording and threatening actor Lee Byung Hun and model Lee, demanding a substantial sum of money. She was initially sentenced to one year in prison for blackmail but received a suspended sentence on appeal.
Following the disbandment of GLAM, Kim Si Won reinvented herself as an AfreecaTV BJ in 2018, driven by her desire to continue singing. Last year, she captured attention for her impressive earnings of 2.4 billion KRW (around 1.8 million USD) in balloon revenue from her AfreecaTV fans.
In her heartfelt letter, Kim Si Won bid farewell to her streaming career, expressing gratitude to her fans and reflecting on her time as a BJ. Apprehensions and legal troubles aside, she thanked her supporters and offered well wishes for their continued health and joy.