Gwangseok Kim (김광석, also romanized as Kim Kwang-seok) is a South Korean economist, academic, researcher, and author. He is known for his concurrent roles in academia and economic research, serving as an adjunct professor at Hanyang University and as the Head of the Economic Research Department at the Korea Economic and Industrial Research Institute. Kim is also a prominent media personality who communicates economic concepts to the public through his YouTube channel, "Men's TV that Reads the Economy." ^{[1] [2]}​

Education

Gwangseok Kim earned a Master's degree in Economics from Seoul National University. ^[2]​

Career

Research and Academic Positions

Kim's career includes senior research roles at several notable South Korean institutions. He previously served as a Senior Researcher at both the Hyundai Research Institute and the Samjong KPMG Economic Research Institute, where he was involved in analyzing economic trends and industry developments. By September 2018, he was also active in online education as a professor on the "Oh My School" platform. ^{[3] [2]}​

As of March 2026, Kim holds two primary positions. He is the Head of the Economic Research Department at the Korea Economic and Industrial Research Institute (KEIRI), an institution also referred to as the Institute for Korean Economy & Industry. In this capacity, he leads research initiatives focused on the South Korean economy and industrial sectors. Concurrently, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at Hanyang University, where he contributes to the academic community through teaching and lectures. ^{[1] [3] [4]}​

Media and Public Engagement

Beyond his formal research and academic work, Kim is a significant figure in public economic discourse. He is widely known for creating and hosting the YouTube channel "Men's TV that Reads the Economy" (Korean: 경제 읽어주는 남자). The channel is dedicated to explaining complex economic news, data, and trends in an accessible manner for a general audience. His work on this platform has earned him the nickname the "Man Who Reads the Economy." ^{[1] [4]}​

In addition to his digital presence, Kim is a published author. As of September 2018, he had authored the book "The Man Who Teaches Economics," which aligns with his broader mission to demystify economic topics for the public. ^[2]​

Recognition

In a September 2018 article, Gwangseok Kim was described as "one of South Korea's top experts in economics and business." This recognition highlighted his ability to untangle complex economic trends in a way that is understandable to a layperson. ^[2]​