5 Shocking Facts About Kim Ji Hoon, The Limbus Company Director Behind Project Moon's Controversies

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The name Kim Ji Hoon has become synonymous with both groundbreaking indie game development and recurring corporate controversy in the South Korean gaming industry. As the CEO of Project Moon and the Director of the popular gacha game Limbus Company, his journey is a complex tale of artistic vision clashing with the harsh realities of running a rapidly expanding company. As of late 2025, the studio continues to navigate the fallout from past incidents while pushing forward with new content and future projects.

This article provides a deep dive into the man at the helm of Project Moon, detailing his profile, the specific controversies that have captured public attention, and the latest updates on how the studio is moving beyond the turbulent periods that defined much of 2023 and 2024. The story of Kim Ji Hoon is essential for anyone following the development of Limbus Company and the unique "Project Moon universe."

Kim Ji Hoon: The Director's Complete Profile and Career

Kim Ji Hoon is the visionary founder and current CEO of the South Korean independent game development studio, Project Moon. His career is characterized by creating a distinct, dark, and complex fictional world known as "The City," which connects all of the studio’s major titles. He began his journey as a student, founding the company that would become a revolutionary figure in the indie scene.

  • Full Name: Kim Ji Hoon (김지훈)
  • Primary Roles: CEO of Project Moon, Director of Limbus Company
  • Company Founded: Project Moon (as a student project)
  • Key Titles Directed/Developed: Lobotomy Corporation (2018), Library of Ruina (2021), Limbus Company (2023)
  • Signature Style: Known for creating a deeply interconnected, lore-heavy, and often disturbing sci-fi/horror universe centered on themes of existential dread, bureaucracy, and moral ambiguity.
  • Public Persona: Often described as a passionate artist and director whose primary focus is on the creative vision, though he has publicly admitted to lacking the necessary skillset for running a large, growing company.

His early work on Lobotomy Corporation and the critically acclaimed Library of Ruina established Project Moon as a cult favorite, celebrated for its compelling narrative and unique gameplay mechanics. The launch of Limbus Company, a gacha-RPG spin-off, marked the studio's most ambitious project yet, bringing their niche universe to a much wider, global audience.

The Limbus Company 'Scandal' Explained: Unpacking the Controversies

The success of Limbus Company has been overshadowed by several high-profile incidents, often referred to by the community as the "Yearly Limbus Company Scandal." These events primarily revolve around internal employee relations and public perception, placing CEO Kim Ji Hoon directly in the spotlight.

1. The Unfair Dismissal and Ideological Claims

The most significant and recurring controversy centered on claims of unfair dismissal and alleged ideological reasons behind employee termination. In a highly publicized incident in mid-2023, a former employee claimed they were fired unjustly.

  • The Core Claim: Allegations surfaced that a worker was criticized or dismissed due to their ideological beliefs, specifically relating to feminism or other political stances.
  • Kim Ji Hoon's Official Stance (July 2023): CEO Kim Ji Hoon released an official statement asserting that the worker in question was not criticized for ideological reasons. He maintained that the decision was based on professional and corporate grounds, though the incident highlighted deep-seated tensions between the company's management and certain segments of its community and staff.

2. The Vellmori Compensation Incident

Another major point of contention involved the artist Vellmori, who was associated with the studio's work. This incident was a flashpoint for discussions about employee compensation and intellectual property rights within the company.

  • The Resolution: Director Kim Ji Hoon personally issued an apology letter in a move to address the public outcry. Crucially, he relayed that Vellmori had been provided with a significant compensation package, reportedly equivalent to two years' worth of pay, in an effort to resolve the dispute and acknowledge the issues.
  • The Takeaway: This resolution demonstrated Kim Ji Hoon’s willingness to step forward and attempt to mend relationships, even if the initial handling of the situation was seen as poor.

3. The Challenge of Corporate Growth

A persistent theme in the discussion surrounding Kim Ji Hoon is the difficulty of transitioning from a small, passion-driven indie studio to a larger, more structured company. Many critics and community members suggest that while he is a brilliant director, his skills in corporate management are lacking.

The user experience during these turbulent times often reflected the internal chaos. Reports of a subdued atmosphere among employees and a general sense that the CEO was struggling to manage the company’s rapid expansion became common. The need for external funding and the push to explore making new Project Moon games, which Kim Ji Hoon mentioned during a Q&A, further complicate the delicate balance between creative freedom and corporate necessity.

Project Moon's Future: Moving Beyond the Turbulence

Despite the recurring scandals, Project Moon and Limbus Company have demonstrated remarkable resilience. The core community remains fiercely loyal to the unique world and narrative that Kim Ji Hoon has created.

The Director's Continued Vision

Kim Ji Hoon has continued to be the public face of the company, often participating in official broadcasts and Q&A sessions. In a broadcast from July 26, 2024, he provided updates on the company's direction, including the mention of a new, currently unnamed simulation game. This shows a commitment to expanding the Project Moon universe beyond the current titles, reinforcing his role as the creative visionary.

His mindset, as discussed in various public appearances, emphasizes the development philosophy that has defined Project Moon: prioritizing a deep, engaging narrative experience even within the constraints of a small studio. This dedication to the art is what keeps the fanbase engaged, despite the corporate drama.

Topical Authority: The Project Moon Universe

The studio's topical authority rests on its ability to weave a cohesive, dark, and compelling narrative across multiple games, including Lobotomy Corporation, Library of Ruina, and Limbus Company. The Limbus Company game, in particular, functions as a narrative bridge, exploring 12 "Sinners"—each based on a character from Dante's Inferno—as they navigate the dangerous districts of The City. Key entities and concepts that define this world include:

  • The City (The setting)
  • The Head, The Claw, The Finger (Governing/Enforcing entities)
  • The Wings (Megacorporations)
  • E.G.O. (Abnormal power manifestations)
  • Abnormalities (Monsters from Lobotomy Corporation)
  • The Sinners (The 12 protagonists)
  • The Golden Boughs (Limbus Company's objective)

The continued success of the games proves that the creative vision of Kim Ji Hoon remains a powerful draw, capable of weathering significant public relations storms. The director’s personal struggles in management serve as a cautionary tale about the challenges of scaling an indie passion project.

5 Shocking Facts About Kim Ji Hoon, The Limbus Company Director Behind Project Moon's Controversies
kim ji hoon limbus
kim ji hoon limbus

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