Transitioning from announcer to broadcaster, Kang Ji-young has emerged as the ultimate ‘kick’ and standout element in the third season of the hit comedy series ‘Workers’.
An interview for the Coupang Play series ‘Workers’ Season 3 was held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The event was attended by PD Kim Min, Kim Won-hoon, Baek Hyun-jin, and Kang Ji-young.
‘Workers’ is a hyper-realistic ad-lib sitcom that captures raw laughter and vibes as DY Employees navigate both inside and outside the office. Prior to its release, it topped the ConsumerInsight ‘OTT K-Original’ survey for viewership intent, and it continues to generate massive buzz across social media and short-form platforms with every episode.
Season 3 expands the office comedy by moving beyond the traditional workspace to feature diverse settings like a Seongsu-dong pop-up store, real corporate executive PT sessions, and senior intern interviews. Furthermore, the introduction of the professional and bold Director Kang Ji-young creates unpredictable chemistry and entertaining power struggles with existing members, deeply resonating with real-world office workers.
As a cold-blooded fact-bomber dispatched by the private equity firm holding DY’s real power, Kang Ji-young handles ridiculous nonsense with a straight face and strict logic. Her sharp delivery flusters her co-stars while her fierce tension with Baek Hyun-jin delivers a distinct brand of comedy.
Reflecting on her new challenge, Kang Ji-young shared that she wanted to try something adventurous and fun after leaving her previous company. Though she initially doubted whether she could pull off ‘Workers’, she now considers it a deeply rewarding project that she is thrilled to have joined.
Joining an established cast that had already perfected their chemistry through seasons 1 and 2 was a formidable challenge, even for a veteran announcer. Rather than desperately trying to break character for cheap laughs, she adopted a clever survival strategy.
Her secret weapon turned out to be ‘excessive English.’ Despite having studied abroad, she rarely used English during her broadcast career. However, given the freedom to ad-lib, she strategically peppered English into her lines to keep the veteran cast members on their toes. Kim Won-hoon noted that while it was initially hard to process two English words per sentence, it ultimately added a brilliant layer of workplace realism.
Her deeply ingrained ‘office worker moments’ also shone through small details. When actor Lee Hyun-gyun made a guest appearance, Kang Ji-young naturally stood up and grabbed her jacket before heading outโa moment that went viral as a relatable office meme. Kim Won-hoon jokingly added that Kang Ji-young was the only cast member who always carried a pleasant scent, reminding everyone how much office workers care about their image.
For the production team, casting Kang Ji-young was a masterstroke. As Baek Hyun-jin pointed out, she was the only cast member with genuine corporate work experience, helping PD Kim Min solidify the authentic identity of the office series.
Kang Ji-young’s true value peaked during an episode featuring actor Jung Man-sik, where she had to lead her first presentation. Although intensely nervous, she felt a deep sense of pride as Jung Man-sik expertly went along with the bit and her fellow cast members jumped in at the right moments.
While known for her ability to suppress laughter as an announcer, she admitted that unexpected curveballsโespecially Ji Ye-eun’s roaring laughterโmade it nearly impossible to keep a straight face.
