Beloved Korean Actress Opens Up About Going Through Immense Financial Struggles During Her Acting Career

Actress Bae Jong Ok recently shared the struggles she endured to sustain her acting career during financially difficult times.

In a recently uploaded video on a YouTube channel on January 22, Bae joined Yoon Hyun Sook and Byun Jung Soo on a trip to France.

While enjoying wine at their accommodation, Yoon Hyun Sook brought up Bae’s challenging past, saying, “I remember you once said you couldn’t buy a 300,000-won [$200] cashmere scarf during your slump.”

Bae candidly admitted, “It’s true. I didn’t have money. There were ways I could have earned money. If I had taken on roles that compromised who I am, I could have bought 100 scarves. But I didn’t want to go down that path.”

She elaborated, “So I just endured. But during that time, I kept questioning myself, ‘Will something better really come if I hold out?’ That constant doubt was hard to overcome, but I stuck it out.”

Bae revealed, “At the time, no one knew what I was going through. If someone invited me out, I wouldn’t go because I couldn’t afford to pay for a meal, and I had to save every penny for my living expenses. For actors, there are moments when you just have to endure. I went through that for about two or three years. It was so tough. During that time, I stayed home and just read books.”

Bae’s story reflects her steadfast commitment to her craft, even in the face of personal hardship, as she prioritized her principles over financial comfort.

Source: (A)