Kim Young-chul reveals 9-month relationship ended 12 years ago after dating news left him "completely hurt"

A relationship that ended on January 2

Kim Young-chul is 52 and single. Now the public knows why.

On October 6, the YouTube channel Rolling Thunder uploaded a video titled "Asking 52-year-old Yeong-chul about marriage intentions (feat. Real situation — Gyeong-sil sets up a blind date for Yeong-chul)." Kim Young-chul recalled meeting a company employee two years his junior in 2011. They became a couple in October 2012. Then January 2, 2013 arrived.

"It became news. What could I do?" he said. "When the article came out, she became very burdened. A top star broke on January 1st. I also broke on January 2nd. I didn't even reach star status."

When co-host Lee Gyeong-sil asked if he let her go once she felt the pressure, Kim Young-chul didn't hold back: "I was completely hurt myself."

At the time, Kim Young-chul had confirmed the relationship publicly. "It's true that I'm dating. It's burdensome to become a topic because of something like this."

Twelve years later, still solo

His longest relationship was at age 41—that same 9-month stretch. He hasn't dated since. "The last time I dated was 12 years ago," he said. "She wasn't a celebrity. She was pretty."

Co-host Jo Hye-ryeon got a laugh asking, "Have you ever dated a woman? I've never seen it." Lee Gyeong-sil added: "You only like pretty women with good education."

Kim Young-chul recently watched a video by Jung Seon-hee and found himself nodding along. "'Not everyone is a couple or married—aren't there people who play well alone? Why do you have to meet someone? I like being alone.' I also missed the timing, and I agreed with what noona said."

His schedule leaves little room for romance anyway. Radio, TV, YouTube, and appointments fill Monday through Friday. Sundays stay completely clear. Lee Gyeong-sil summed it up: "From what I see, you're living well and having fun alone."