tech.gadgets.video.geekculture.gaming.kittens.
In memoriam
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been with us this past week, and for all your letters and messages. I cannot even fathom what the Kims are going through right now, it’s unimaginable.
This whole week has been a blur – caught between hope and dread, myself and my co-workers at CNET have gone through the motions everyday, waiting for any news that came through. In the middle of recording Buzz Out Loud today, we got the e-mail saying James was found, condition unknown. When we finally learned that he wasn’t with us anymore, it was like being hit with a sledgehammer.
I’ve always known, but truly realized today, what a wonderful company CNET is. For everything they’ve done in this whole process, from keeping us updated to making sure we had someone to talk to when things got really bad, I’m thankful to them. But I know CNET won’t ever be the same again. I still can’t believe I won’t see James everyday, or tease him for being late to a shoot, or laugh with him about some ridiculous gadget on Crave.
As many of you have said, James died a hero. I wish you had never left that car, James, but I’m grateful that I knew someone so brave and selfless that he would do anything to save his family.
Someone in my group at work was able to put together a tribute to James. I think it perfectly shows how passionate James was about his work, and how he made everything so effortless and fun.
I am going to miss the hell out of you.
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Praying for you V and the entire CNET family. We are all praying for the Kim family, but we forget sometimes how much time we spend with coworkers and how much impact they have on us. Your post hit home on how we should also treasure those special people we work with.
I watched your last Crave video like three times. Man, I am going to miss James.
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I’m at a loss of words over this news. I wish so badly that it would have turned out differently.
I only know James through his reports at CNET, but I can tell that he put out into the world a kind of positive, warming and calming energy. You can just feel it. I hope that all those who have had the privledge to have been touched by James’s energy can honor and cherish it and spread this same kind of energy around in their own lives.
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#15 written by David Roche 5 years ago
I don’t know James other than from his work with CNET and the former TechTV, but today’s news hit me hard, and I’m not normally one to get caught up in personal dramas like this. It just chokes me up everytime I see his picture… I am so so glad his wife and daughters are alive, but I can not fathom the pain they are going through.
Thank you, Veronica, for your tribute.
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#17 written by Scott 5 years ago
I like the others here didn’t know James personally except when i brought him into my home on TechTv or through my computer with the various video segments and articles James wrote. I am saddened by this loss, and I will keep everyone who knew him or worked with him in my prayers
RIP James you will be missed
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#18 written by Ferdie 5 years ago
I never met James personally, and yet somehow I felt I lost a friend today. James has displayed nothing short of true heroism and love
for his family on his final days. As a father of two myself, I take from this tragedy a renewed commitment to focus on what truly are the more important important things in life: loving family and friends, and the desire to do good things for others – precisely the same things James enjoyed having and doing. I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.
To Veronica (and Tom and Molly): my sympathies as well…I remain, a loyal “cyber” friend. -
First, I’d like to offer my condolences to the Kim’s and Cnet.
Safe to say that we can call James, “World’s Best Dad”. What a brave and heroic act to have began a trek to ultimately save his family. It’s just too bad things couldn’t have turned out any better. I admire people who are passionate about their life and work, and you could truly see it when James was reviewing.
RIP James.
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#20 written by Earl 5 years ago
Rest in Peace, James. I never met him. I only knew him through his video streams on CNET. But I bet he was the kind of guy whom everyone felt comfortable around with his positive energy and humor. I could see it through his videocasts. He is a true hero, and I will strive to be more like him, as many others should. Life is fleeting, and let’s not forget that in the frustrations of our daily lives.
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#21 written by Willy 5 years ago
James, I never personally knew you, but I’ve been watching your videos for as long as I can remember. Whenever I was interested in a new gadget, you were there. To think that I was just watching you joyfully put the Zune through its paces weeks ago, and now I’ll never see your amazing smile again really saddens me. You left us out there a true hero, and I’ll miss you so much.
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I enjoyed his humor and insight on the Crave video podcasts alongside you, as well as his video product reviews. I remember him from TechTV too. This is a sad day for anyone that knew him, even if only through the TV programs, podcasts and video reviews. He was a brave man for venturing out in an attempt to save his family. I too wish he would have stayed in the car but I admire his quiet courage nonetheless.
After the initial shock wears off, I hope that everyone can remember him for his life and not for his tragic death. The two of you made gadget reviews fun, and his devotion to his family should be an example for all fathers. I hope his family and everyone at CNET is doing as well as can be expected. Keep your chins up and remember that James is most certainly in a better place now.
We’ll miss you, James.
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#26 written by Gijs 5 years ago
Disbelief.
Hadn’t visited CNET in a couple of weeks so I didn’t know anything about James gone missing. Until i switched on the tv this morning and heard on the Dutch news that the father of a snowed in family had been found dead. When they said his name was James Kim, for some reason I immediatly thought it was him. Rushed to the computer and went to CNET.com, seeing his picture there left me in total disbelief. It’s weird how you can feel so close to somebody you only know from videos and a website.
We’ll miss you and my thoughts are with his family and everybody who was close to him.
Gijs
Utrecht, The Netherlands
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#27 written by David Birney 5 years ago
Veronica that was so well said. I have watched James for years, and will miss him greatly. I to wish he had stayed at the car, but he truly did die a hero. I certainly like to think that that ping on the cell tower that helped them to locate the Kim family was James making it just far enough to get the briefest of signals. My thoughts are truly with you and the rest of Cnet and with James family, especially his daughters whom I have seen pictures of for years when James tested digital camera’s.
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I’m a total stranger, but I feel like I’ve gotten to know the CNET crew over the past months. At the college I work at, we’ve been trying to start a technology website and podcast just related to talking about stuff informally. I’ve been using the CNET podcasts and the video you pump through my TiVo as inspiration for how we can style our discussions about technology. (We haven’t started the podcast portion yet, but hopefully soon!) I’ve always had a fondness for the frank and personal style James had, where he was a techie, but also just a regular guy giving his opinion. He struck a pretty good balance!
It was especially heartbreaking to watch Tom’s video introduction to your tribute on CNET.com, because just like where I work, CNET seems to be a true family. Our thoughts are with you and the whole gang. Keep doing what you do and keep doing it well!
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#33 written by Jyh 5 years ago
James, the impact you had on those around is unimaginable. Your selfless act and love for family is an inspiration in life, and the unknown after. All those that had the pleasure to meet you will treasure the time they had. Know that your wife, darling kids, and family will be cared for and loved.
Bless your soul.
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#35 written by Jason Howell 5 years ago
Chin up V. I can only imagine how you must be feeling. This has really been an eye opener.
Funny that you mention how impressed you have been with CNET. I said the same thing to my wife last night as we talked about everything that happened yesterday. I am so impressed with the family approach that CNET has brought to this situation. It really has helped me feel even more a part of this “family”. It’s always interesting to me how experiences like this, albeit sad and difficult to take, can really bring people together on another level. There is good to come out of something like this. Keep that in mind.
We keep saying it but really, let’s do lunch sometime before the holiday. k?
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#37 written by Ralph 5 years ago
When I first read the news about a man gone missing and that it was James Kim.. my heart just sunk.
I will always remember with great fondness the days of TechTv with Leo and the gang and here at CNet. He showed great enthusiasm for products he reviewed (when he liked them) and lack of joy, yet funny when he didn’t. I’ve respected him on a professional level; for James brought abit of “geekdom” to his reviews… entertaining yet unbias. Now I will respect him as a courageous,loving husband and father that the rest of the world got to see for those few days. May God bless James Kim and his family. -
#39 written by Tommy 5 years ago
Like a lot of people I felt like I knew James, even just a little bit, through his videos, his reviews, etc…I loved those, and loved his insight and his advice.. A lot of people all around the world are going to miss him… I live in Belgium and I already had a couple of friends talking about it and they are all deeply saddened.
Rest in peace, James.. we’ll all miss you…
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Veronica-
I’ll be praying for you all. This whole event has touched me greatly. It is very hard to explain, but I feel very sad about what happened to him. He was always impressive in his field, seeing how impressive he was as a father and friend, it just shatters my heart.
I can only imagine how you all must feel.
Hearing you and James and the rest of the Cnet podcasters virtually every day for so long, it certainly brings it closer to home for me.
Because of the quality of life he lived, we are all better for having known him.
May we all live life to the quality he did.
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#46 written by Justine 5 years ago
I know how you feel. Going through the motions. I hate that. You have this God-awful feeling in your heart, because you dont know if your friend is alive or not.. and you just try and keep yourself busy all day because its the only thing that keeps your mind off it..
I think this is horrible, but he died a hero and I bet he’s doing great where he is now. they only possible way i could somewhat relate to this was when my dog ran away for a month… but i’m only 16.
when i first read the bulletin about him and his family missing i thought it was a joke. when i found out they found his family, i wondered what he would say on his first podcast/review back.. it’s hard to believe.
he pwned us all. if he were on counter-strike, he’d be a headshot all the time..
you’ll get through it. :[
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#47 written by eric park 5 years ago
i dont know james at all but i did enjoy watching him on cnet for mp3s and on crave…i am very much into mp3s so i would check out his advices all the time, so he was in a way there for me when i needed him..now he wont be around and it hurts. i hope his wife and family is doing well we will all miss you james
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#48 written by Giantfan 5 years ago
My prayers go out to all of you folks at CNET, and most importantly to the Kim family. While I never met James I listened to him on the various podcasts and video casts and respected his knowledge and opinion. Why is it that good men die young…..we’ll never quite know the answer to that question but based on what I’ve read and seen with regards to James Kim he certainly was a “good” man.
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#49 written by Andre 5 years ago
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#50 written by Brian 5 years ago
Veronica,
I’m very sorry for your loss. I, like most of the people posting here, only knew James through his CNet reviews and the Tivo spots that appear on my TV every week. His charm and humor were obvious to all who watched him. He is a true hero, laying down his life for those he loved. May he rest in peace.
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Rest in peace, James, Rest in peace. We will remember you.