987 DJ Kimberly Wang On Leaving Mediacorp After 25 Years: “It’s Time For Me To Grow Up”

987’s Kimberly Wang is signing off.

After 25 years with Mediacorp — including 14 years as one of 987’s most recognisable voices — the 34-year-old radio DJ and host has announced that she’s leaving the company and radio station, where she helms the evening show from 5pm to 8pm. Her last day is October 31.

Kim broke the news on Instagram last week, calling her departure a “graduation” after growing up on air and on screen.

She started as a child actress in Chinese theatre at four, moved into TV hosting and dramas at nine, and won 987's Radio Star competition in 2011 which set her on the path to radio.

Over the years, she’s appeared in Mandarin dramas such as Double Happiness (2004), Beautiful Illusions (2005) and English series Rojak (2015).

Speaking to 8days.sg, Kim says leaving wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision, but something she’s been quietly preparing herself for.

“I think it was always something that was going to happen,” she explains. “Life is short, and it’s important for me to explore more than one thing in my life.”

She laughs as she admits how sheltered she’s felt inside the Mediacorp bubble. “I feel very blessed, but I’m at a point where I want to go beyond my comfort zone. I’ve been very sheltered in Mediacorp, so I think it’s time for me to grow up and see what else I can do.”

“Stepping out of what I’ve always known is very scary,” she says. “But one of the biggest things that’s guided me through my life has been these two words — ‘why not’. When I first joined radio back in 2011, that was how I made my decision. If I can’t find a good enough reason why not to do something, then I’ll just do it.”

One big item on her post-Mediacorp to-do list is Curious Creatures, the local jewellery label she joined as creative and partnerships consultant in 2023. Besides marketing and brand partnerships, Kim also helps design the pieces.

At the same time, she’ll continue to host and take on projects independently.

“Whether it’s hosting, being in front of or behind the camera, or creating content, I’ll still be doing what I love,” she says. “So if anyone wants to work with me, reach out after October 31!” she quips.

As for acting in Mandarin dramas, she isn’t closing that door.

"A lot of people have been messaging me to ask about it. If the right opportunity comes, I’m open," she says.

Of course, freedom is not without its trade-offs. Kim doesn’t sugarcoat the financial side of going freelance.

“Of course I’m worried about no longer having a basic pay,” she admits. “If I had a trust fund, maybe not. But I’m just a regular person.”

She had to sit down and crunch the numbers before taking the leap. Admitting that her math is not very good, she "really had to do [her] calculations" and make sure she had a buffer.

And yes, she’s already made some lifestyle adjustments.

“Cannot buy bags,” she laughs. “Last time I had this rule that if I want to buy something, I must reach a certain goal in my bank account. But now, I’ve stopped looking at frivolous things.”

Still, there’s one indulgence she refuses to give up: food.

"I really love to eat," she says. "I’ll tell myself, okay, this bag is very cute but I don’t need it. But if there’s a new restaurant I want to try, I’ll go. Just not every week lah."

She adds that she’s been heartened by the support she’s received since announcing her departure.

“When I announced that I was leaving, 99.9 per cent of the responses were so encouraging. My family and friends didn’t even ask why, they just said, ‘Okay, what do you want to do next?’ and told me to just go for it,” she shares. “It gave me a lot more courage to know that people understand where I’m coming from.”