Kang Min-kyung Was Once Slammed for Underpaying Staff — Now She’s Trending for This Unexpected Move

Davichi’s Kang Min-kyung is drawing attention once again—not for controversy, but for her upgraded company benefits.

On April 18, Kang Min-kyung posted a job recruitment notice on her social media, announcing openings for MD team lead, designer, and knitwear designer roles at her fashion brand. Alongside the post, she revealed an updated list of employee benefits that has been earning praise online.

From Controversy to Care: A Culture Rebuilt

New hires receive a welcome kit made up of products from her own brand, plus a 50% employee discount on all items. In addition, the company offers support for self-development activities such as language classes, fitness programs, and continuing education, as well as subsidies for purchasing books.

But the standout benefit? A paid one-month sabbatical for employees who have worked at the company for over three years. Other perks include department store gift cards for birthdays, one half-day off during birthday week, separate summer vacation days beyond annual leave, paid maternity leave, and extended parental support benefits.

This marks a significant change from two years ago, when Kang Min-kyung faced heavy backlash over a job listing that sparked accusations of “passion pay”—a Korean term used to criticize underpaid labor disguised as opportunity. In 2023, her company posted a listing for a position requiring 3–7 years of experience with an annual salary of only ₩25 million (approx. $18,000 USD), drawing public criticism.

Kang’s team responded by apologizing multiple times, explaining that the salary was a mistake by the hiring manager. They then conducted a thorough labor consultation with a certified labor attorney to review company practices. Kang admitted, “I was so focused on growing the company that I failed to read the room. I took a long, detailed look at what we missed or fell behind on.”

Turning Crisis into a Catalyst for Change

Kang Min-kyung has since made efforts to rebuild trust, turning a moment of controversy into an opportunity for growth. Her company has steadily rolled out generous employee benefits, with her latest announcements being seen as a model for small business workplace culture in Korea.

Fans and the public alike are applauding her transformation—from controversy to creating a company that truly invests in its people.

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