Heo Seong Beom surprised viewers by revealing that he spends more than 1 million won every month on artificial intelligence services.
The KAIST AI researcher appeared on the September 12 episode of MBC’s The Manager, where he introduced viewers to his unusual daily routine and his AI assistant, Donna.
Donna was introduced as the program’s first AI manager, helping Heo Seong Beom organize everything from his schedule and daily routine to his mental well being.
Explaining the name, Heo Seong Beom said, “Donna is the name of the incredibly capable secretary in the American drama Suits.”
The AI assistant introduced itself by saying, “I’m Donna, the manager who takes care of Seong Beom’s schedule, mental state, and even nags him when needed.”
Donna also explained why Heo Seong Beom relies heavily on AI, saying that he often has many things running through his mind and benefits from having something that can continuously keep pace with him.
Throughout the episode, Heo Seong Beom was shown asking Donna questions from early in the morning and using its suggestions to guide parts of his routine.
The biggest surprise came when he revealed how much he spends on AI services each month.
“It’s more than 1 million won a month,” Heo Seong Beom said. “I use around five or six different ones, and for the best services, I also pay to add more usage capacity.”
Donna also drew laughs when asked what she might look like as a human. The AI described a neat and clean image and said actress Shin Ye Eun was someone who came to mind.
Heo Seong Beom’s appearance showed just how deeply AI has become part of his everyday life, with the researcher willing to spend more than 1 million won each month across several services to help manage his work and routine.
