"All the Luck Came to Me" Why Did Seokyung Seok Say This?

First Celebrity Achieves Perfect Score on Korean History Proficiency Test

Seokyung Seok (53), a broadcaster and graduate of Seoul National University, became the first celebrity to achieve a perfect score on the Korean History Proficiency Test. On July 1, during the KBS1 current affairs and culture program 'Morning Yard,' he revealed that he scored 100 points on the 73rd Korean History Proficiency Test held in February.

Seokyung Seok began by saying, "It's a score bestowed by the heavens," and continued, "Those who score over 90 points have similar abilities. However, there are subtle differences depending on factors such as one's condition on the day of the test, how many questions appeared from my favorite areas, and whether I guessed correctly on confusing questions. All the luck came to me that day."

Seokyung Seok. l'Morning Yard capture

He added with a laugh, "Even Choi Taesung, a history expert, would find it difficult to get a perfect score if he took the test properly. I'm saying this comfortably because we're friends."

Seokyung Seok has taken the Korean History Proficiency Test a total of four times. He said, "A score over 80 earns you a Level 1 certificate. On my first attempt, I got a provisional score of 81, but I transferred the answer numbers incorrectly onto the OMR card, so my actual score was 79. I realized I shouldn't take it lightly, so I made it a habit to mark my answers immediately, even if it took more time."

He continued, "On my second attempt, I scored 94. After posting my test experience on my personal channel, test-takers encouraged me to aim for a higher score, so I took the test again and got 99. I was going to stop, but decided to take it one last time. Achieving a perfect score is truly a blessing from above."

Seokyung Seok was admitted to the Korea Military Academy as the top student but dropped out because it did not suit him, and later entered the Department of French Language and Literature at Seoul National University. He debuted in 1993 as a comedian in the fourth open recruitment at MBC. While working as a broadcaster, he passed the certified real estate agent exam, which drew public attention. Seokyung Seok also holds a Level 2 Korean language teaching certificate.